ryan safonte
@ryansafonte
Dedicated special education teacher with expertise in inclusive education.
What I'm looking for
I am a passionate educator with a strong commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments for all students. With a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Elementary Inclusive Special Education from Hofstra University, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of diverse learning needs. My certifications in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Elementary Education, and Special Education reflect my dedication to supporting students with disabilities.
Throughout my career, I have successfully implemented various instructional strategies, including Discrete Trial Instruction and Functional Communication Training, to enhance student learning outcomes. My experience as a Kindergarten Special Education Teacher at Daniel Webster Elementary School has allowed me to collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to create tailored educational plans. I take pride in my ability to communicate effectively with parents and educators, ensuring that each child's unique needs are met.
My previous roles, including Special Education Itinerant Teacher and Special Education Consultant Teacher, have equipped me with the skills to assess student progress and adapt lessons accordingly. I am committed to continuous professional development and strive to create engaging, supportive, and effective learning experiences for all my students.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Kindergarten Special Education Teacher
Daniel Webster Elementary School
Oct 2024 - Present (8 months)
Utilized Discrete Trial Instruction within an Applied Behavioral Analysis classroom to break down skills into manageable tasks, reinforcing correct responses immediately. Applied Functional Communication Training practices to enhance core vocabulary and reinforce positive behaviors. Collaborated weekly with a multidisciplinary team, including BCBA, SLP, OT, PT, and parents.
Sixth Grade Teacher
Grimes Elementary School
Sep 2023 - Jun 2024 (9 months)
Employed iReady Personalized Instruction to address and reduce educational gaps in reading and mathematics. Implemented iReady Classroom and Ready New York curriculum to effectively prepare students for state assessments. Regularly met with parents to discuss student progress and gain insights into their needs.
Special Education Itinerant Teacher
Red Door Therapeutic Services
Nov 2022 - Sep 2023 (10 months)
Provided one-on-one support to preschool students with disabilities in both classroom and home settings. Communicated daily with classroom teachers and parents to discuss student progress and effective strategies. Generated timely written reports detailing student progress.
Special Education Consultant Teacher
George W. Miller Elementary School
Sep 2021 - Jun 2022 (9 months)
Delivered Consultant Teacher services to classified special education Kindergarten students in accordance with their IEPs. Collaborated with classroom teachers to design and implement literacy and math lessons, incorporating modifications as needed. Administered formal assessments, such as the Woodcock Johnson, for student evaluations and provided timely written reports.
Special Education Preschool Teacher
Norwalk Early Childhood Center
Aug 2020 - Jul 2021 (11 months)
Utilized Discrete Trial Instruction in an Applied Behavioral Analysis setting to collect data and monitor progress toward specific IEP goals. Designed multi-sensory, language-based lessons to foster early literacy development. Implemented child-specific positive behavior intervention plans and trained support staff on their effective use.
Resource Room Teacher
Ogden Elementary School
Oct 2019 - Dec 2019 (2 months)
Instructed students individually and in small group sessions, focusing on developmentally appropriate content to achieve specific IEP goals. Collected daily data to ensure student progression towards mastery of their goals. Provided Consultant Teaching services to teachers and students in grades two through four, offering instructional support in the least restrictive environment.
UPK Lead Teacher
Columbus Avenue Early Childhood Center
Sep 2018 - Jun 2019 (9 months)
Individualized instruction in a center-based program through literacy centers with rotations and differentiated activities to fit specific student needs. Cultivated Early Literacy Skills using interactive read-alouds from Fountas and Pinnell curriculum and integrating literacy circles. Supported students’ developmental and social-emotional growth through purposeful daily play.
Kindergarten Teacher
East Street Elementary School
Sep 2017 - Jun 2018 (9 months)
Programmed the use of Fundations to build students’ phonetic awareness, developing reading and writing skills. Utilized Reading Street to further develop students’ literacy skills with informational texts and literature. Implemented Go Math! to advance students’ knowledge of numbers, operations, and introduce geometry, achieving an average 12-point improvement on NWEA Map Tests.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Hofstra University
Master of Science, Elementary Inclusive Special Education
Focused on Elementary Inclusive Special Education, gaining advanced knowledge and skills to support diverse learners. Completed the program in May 2019.
Hofstra University
Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Studied Early Childhood and Elementary Education, preparing for teaching roles across various grade levels. Graduated in May 2017.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
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