JEN CULLEN

QUALIFICATIONS PROFILE :

Dedicated and highly competent licensed special education teacher, with more than 20 years of experience in cross-categorical special education grades 4K-6. Equipped with extensive experience in working with individuals of various abilities and disabilities, gaining deep knowledge of successful instructional programs, behavior intervention plans, and strategic support. Skilled at developing and implementing highly effective social-emotional lessons and behavioral plans that promote critical thinking, student engagement, and independence. Adept at identifying student needs and working with people of diverse cultures/backgrounds; extremely effective in communicating the relevance of course content to the lives of learners and their families. Relative strength in making learning visual and accessible to all. Strong foundational belief that "Failure isn't an option" when it comes to educating our youth.

CROSS-CATEGORICAL SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 20 + YEARS

Maintain active engagement in collaborative writing, implementation, and assessment of highly individualized education plans revolving around the least restrictive environment, as well as development of attainable goals that close the gap between special education students and their peers. Establish and sustain open and on-going communication with all members of student teams with a child-centered collaborative mindset to allow them to access a free and appropriate public education. Supervise paraeducators by providing schedules, training, and materials to ensure their understanding in promoting student progress and independence in demonstrating learned skills and strategies. Earned recognition as a reflective practitioner, capable of applying research-based best practices in academic and social-emotional instruction along with progress monitoring to assess efficiency of chosen interventions, thus promoting student achievement. Supported the inclusion of students in a play-based environment, promoting independence and positive social interactions for all students. Full inclusion model for all 5 years collaborating with general education staff, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, vision specialists, physical therapists, nurses, and district partners. 

AWARDS:
Kohls Teacher Fellowship in Education Grant Winner for 2022
Waukesha Education Foundation Grant Recipient 2017

DISABILITY AREAS I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH:

* Autism

* Down Syndrome

* Angelman Syndrome

* Prader-Willi Syndrome

* Fragile X Syndrome

* Williams Sydrome

* Intellectual Disability

* Reactive Attachment Disorder

* Traumatic Brain Injury

* XXY Syndrome

* Microcephaly

* Severe Seizure Disorder (impacting ability to function independently)

* Perinatal Stroke

* Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

* Cerebral Palsy

* Leukodystrophy

* Sensory Processing Disorder

* Expressive and Receptive Communication Delay

* Specific Learning Disability

* Orthopedic Impairment

* Executive Function Delays (all domains)

* Fine Motor Delay

* Vision Impairment

* ADD/ADHD

* Hypotonia

* Significant Developmental Delay (One or more domains)

* Early Childhood Education

* Hearing Impairment (limited experience)

* OCD/ODD (limited experience)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT : (not including self-directed personal professional development)

*  Respite Care Association of Wisconsin Certified Provider  Dec 2023

*  Social Thinking - 4/2023 Chicago : Implementing Social Thinking Concepts and Vocabulary: A Day to Develop Team Creativity(Day 1), 

    Practical Ideas for Teaching Self-Regulation and Building Friendships (Day 2)

*  Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Training (Crisis Prevention Institute) Feb 2023

*  Crucial Conversations book study 2021-2022
*  Purposeful Play Book Study 2021-2022
*  Trauma-informed care 2021-2022

*  Sonday “Let’s Play Learn” Training July 2021

*  Social thinking Levels 1 & 2 Recertification October 2020

*  Bridges in Math training July 2019

*  Inclusion Summit (Hosted by Elmbrook School District) 2019

*  Inclusion Summit (Hosted by Elmbrook School District) 2018

*  Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Training (Crisis Prevention Institute) Nov 2017

*  Advanced Math Recovery Training Levels 1 and 2 (Viterbo) Nov 2016 and Feb 2017

*  Sonday Multisensory Reading Instruction Levels 1 and 2 (School District Funded) Jul 2016 and Jul 2017

*  Inclusive Practices Leadership Summit (Elmbrook) Jul 2016

*  SCERTS Framework Full Training (ASD) Jul 2016 - worked directly with Emily Rubin (one of the co-founders of SCERTS) on a case study
*  Integrated Arts in Education (Kennedy Center for Performing Arts) Jul 2015

* AimsWeb Progress Monitoring (Pearson) Jun 2015
*  Social Thinking 1/2 College Courses (Carroll University) Nov 2012–Dec 2012

*  Early Literature Instruction (Cardinal Stritch) Nov 2011
*  Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) Training CESA 1 Jul 2010
 
OTHER ACTIVITIES:

• Active Member: School-Wide CARE Team 2017-2023. (Promoting growth in school-wide SEL resources, professional development, and systems for staff, students, and families.)
• Planned and implemented paraprofessional trainings for Pewaukee School District 2017-2022
• CESA 1/Parents United of Wisconsin presenter: 2019-present. (Live and Virtual Trainings)
• Active Member, School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Team: 2010–2017