Rick Monzon
@rickmonzon
Paraeducator III integrating arts and music to support students with special needs.
United StatesWhat I'm looking for
I’m a Paraeducator III who partners with students with moderate to severe disabilities, helping create a more positive learning environment through consistent support, teamwork, and energy. At the highest level of VUSD’s paraeducator experience, I bring creativity into daily classroom activities while staying focused on safety and meeting students’ personal care needs.
Previously, I worked across special education programs at Ventura County Office of Education schools, where I integrated my music and visual art background into curriculum and projects and contributed ideas and imagination daily. I’m also certified to administer tube feeding medical procedures and trained in Non Violent Crisis Intervention and CPR. Earlier in my career, I built a parallel creative path as a commercial artist and Photoshop retoucher for the entertainment industry, and I’ve also served as an on-call event bartender—both roles that strengthened my reliability, attention to detail, and calm under pressure.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Paraeducator lll
Ventura Unified School District
Mar 2026 - Present (5 months)
Works as a Paraeducator III at Buena High School, supporting students with moderate to severe disabilities. Provides classroom and behavior support as part of a high-level paraeducator role within VUSD.
Paraeducator
Ventura County Office of Education
Sep 2022 - Mar 2026 (3 years 6 months)
Paraeducator at Dorothy Boswell School and Douglas Penfield School, special education schools for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Certified to administer tube feeding medical procedures and integrated music and visual art into daily classroom activities.
Instructional Assistant
Ojai Unified School District
Jan 2019 - Sep 2022 (3 years 8 months)
Worked across multiple OUSD schools supporting moderately disabled students, including a one-on-one aide role for a freshman student through successful graduation in June 2022. As student independence increased, supported teachers with classroom operations and worked with other students.
On-Call Event Bartender
DJ's California Catering
Apr 2014 - Jun 2019 (5 years 2 months)
Served as an on-call event bartender for weddings, corporate, and social events. Set up bar equipment and dispensed alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages in compliance with California Alcohol and Beverage Control guidelines.
Freelance Photoshop Retoucher
Freelance
May 1985 - May 2016 (31 years)
Independent contractor specializing in commercial photo retouching for the entertainment industry. Provided Photoshop retouching services while working between Los Angeles and Ojai.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
ArtCenter College of Design
Commercial Illustration (Major), Commercial Illustration
Majored in Commercial Illustration, which supported his career as an illustrator and later expanded into advertising and photo retouching.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
United StatesAuthorized to work in
Website
rickmonzon.comPortfolio
rickmonzon.comJob categories
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