Meena B.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Supportive Creative Compassionate
Versatile and dedicated special educator with absolute focus on fulfilling the individual needs of identified students. Empathically design and deliver inspiring lessons employing a wide range of learning strategies to enhance student achievement. Skilled in integrating art, handicrafts and SEN laboratory into classroom setting, formally trained in developmental practices and academic theories.
Areas of Proficiency include :
• Multidisciplinary and Individual Education Plans
• Student Motivation
• Student centered learning environment
• Multi sensorial teaching approach
• Setting up Laboratory

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS
1. Bachelor of Education, India, 1996
2. Bachelor of Arts (Economics, Sociology and Fine Arts), Rajasthan University, India; 1986
3. Post Graduate Diploma in Special Need Education, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2014
4. Professional Teacher Training Workshop, University of Colombo, 2014
5. Understanding and responding to challenging behaviors, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2013
6. Informal Assessments: reading and writing, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2013
7. Learner Styles, British Council, Sri Lanka.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1. Special Need Educator, International School, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2014 - present
• Adapt prescribed curriculum to teach students with intellectual disabilities like learning, reading and writing.
• Develop adapted curriculum testing materials, implementation strategies
• Collaborate with general education teachers to ensure alignment of curriculum
• Work with students individually and in groups to promote complete academic functioning
• Design specialized approaches that enable students to improve literacy, gain knowledge and collaborate with parents, other teachers, to help students become independent learners
2. Examiner, SNE Course , Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2014 - 15.
• Conducted the Viva of students who wanted to build their knowledge in or specialize in special educational needs.
3. Art Therapist, Chitra Lane School for Special Need Children, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Dec 2011 - Nov 2013.
• Prepared class materials and employed various teaching methods in class
• Reinforced skills such as independence, coordination and problem solving
• Monitored progress regularly and prepared reports
• Demonstrated and reinforced social standards of behavior to establish order and discipline
• Worked with parents and administration to produce individualized programs
• Set up an Arts and Craft School "Ankan " where candle making, glass painting bread craft, tie and die are taught
• Conducted 'Teach the Teachers' workshops.
4. Volunteer, S.P.J.Sadhana School, Mumbai, India. 2007 - 2011.
• Worked with children in formative years for vocational and educational development
• To prepare them for open school public exam
• To conduct a range of activities to develop their social skills and to empower the children with special needs
5. Teacher, Mumbai, India. 1990 - 1996.
• Providing the students at the primary level, a dynamic learning environment that is reflective, sensitive, and empowering, developing excellence in academics as well as behaviour.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
1. Inner Wheel Club, Colombo, Sri Lanka. President
2. International Expatriate Association, Sri Lanka. Member
3. Sri Lanka Cancer Society. Fund raiser and coordinator for awareness campaigns
4. Peter Weerasekara Home, Sanghamitta Home. Education for protection from child abuse
5. Women in Need, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Candle making workshop.
6. Recycling workshops :
• Shashi Mangalam School, Mumbai, India
• Thikana, NGO for Senior Citizens in Kolkata, India
• Abhas, a slum children NGO in New Delhi, India
7. Candle making, Papercraft, basic cooking workshops
• Sophia Outreach Centre, Mumbai, India
• Helping Hand for Cancer Care, an NGO based in Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India
8. Pranic Healing meditation, for patients at the Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India

CORE COMPETENCY AND STRENGTHS
• Effective in handling multiple learning disabilities sensitively to build self esteem in students
• Outstanding interpersonal communication – promoting optimal student-parent-teacher-administrator interaction
• Creatively uses versatility in teaching methods
• Responsible working ethics with excellent communication skills
• Sensitive to cultural diversity
• Good organizational skills with strong decision making abilities
• Effective stress and time management.
• Technology savvy, adept with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and other electronic reports.