Bridget Ellis

BRIDGET ELLIS Endorsements in English Language Arts and Special Education th 1113 NE 95 Avenue Vancouver, WA 98664 --“Miss Ellis’ high energy and nurturing presence motivates her students to become actively engaged. Her students continue to mirror her energy and commitment to learning.” -Connie Wick Principal (retired) Sherman Elementary Brie has been an asset to Liberty the moment she stepped foot in our building. Brie has a student-centered mind, heart, and soul. She takes the time to get to know each student and family which helps her build strong relationships that positively impact her classroom. When walking into Brie's classroom it feels calm, organized, and comfortable. With Brie's student-centered approach and relationships, her students grow exponentially socially and academically. Brie has a true gift of finding ways to draw kids into cognitively complex tasks and build their confidence simultaneously. -Mandy Busby Supervisor/Dean of Students Liberty Middle School “She is skilled in instilling a sense of belonging to her students and provides a safe, supportive environment in which it is easier for her students to succeed, both behaviorally and academically.” -Lisa Hoyt Director, Renton Academy Field Placement Supervisor University of Washington PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Special Education Teacher, learning/emotional/behavioral disabilities ▪ Created, adapted, delivered curriculum to suit various abilities and learning styles ▪ Wrote and implemented students’ IEPs, FBAs, BIPs, and transition plans ▪ Supervised instructional assistants ▪ Worked in conjunction with families, other educators and social service agencies Instructional Assistant/Behavior Intervention Specialist ▪ Delivered specialized instruction to small groups ▪ Executed behavior intervention/de-escalation plans ▪ Recorded behavior and learning trends in daily logs and maintained students’ files Writer/Publicist ▪ Staff writer for several weekly publications, averaging 4,000 words per week ▪ Handled publicity for several regional bands and small record label ▪ Wrote for and edited newsletter for non-profit educational organization in Nepal Event Coordinator ▪ Created and produced non-profit community event at large music festival ▪ Coordinated talent hospitality areas backstage at summer music festivals ▪ Assisted Production Manager for large music venues and festivals RELEVANT WORK HISTORY- Special Education Teacher, Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA Special Education Teacher, Camas High School, Camas, WA Special Education Teacher, Sherman Elementary, Tacoma, WA Special Education Teacher, Renton Academy, Renton, WA Special Education Teacher, Todd Beamer High School, Federal Way, WA Paraeducator, Todd Beamer High School, Federal Way, WA Staff Writer, Weymer Publishing, Tacoma, WA Special Education Teacher, Snohomish Discovery School, Seattle, WA Instructional /Behavior Assistant, Snohomish Discovery School, Seattle, WA Assistant to Editor, Catalyst Magazine, Salt Lake City, UT EDUCATION University of Washington, Seattle WA, Master of Education (M.Ed.) 2007 ▪ Special Education (Emotional/Behavioral Emphasis) Antioch University, Seattle WA, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies 2001 ▪ Social, Cultural and Interpersonal Dynamics (Primary Area of Concentration) ▪ Eastern Philosophy and Culture (Secondary Area of Concentration) Westminster University, Salt Lake City, UT,- ▪ Education Major VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE “Her case management, IEPs and communication with families are superb. She is adept at meeting timelines, managing documentation and developing meaningful data. Best of all, she is a solid team player and a delight to work with.” -John Marchesini Educational Psychologist Sherman Elementary Bridget is highly proficient in recognizing and responding to the individual student learning needs within her classroom. At the core of her practice is the fostering of success in every student, no matter their particular level at entry. Bridget develops confidence and belief in every student. Bridget develops lessons to build upon all students’ skills, chunking and monitoring progress along the way. She does not let students fall through the cracks and will not move on if students do not understand. This is important to their overall success and growth. Her intentional use of formative checks and self-evaluation of lesson effectiveness demonstrate her proficiency in scaffolding information within lessons. -Brian Wilde Supervisor/Dean of Students Camas High School “Ms. Ellis has very firmly held beliefs that every student can learn and deserves rigorous instruction. She is firm in her insistence that the classroom be a safe and accepting place. She models excitement and love of learning every day.” Teacher/Trainer, Center For Spiritual Living K.I.D.S. Program, Seattle, WA ▪ Created and delivered classroom management training seminar for teachers ▪ Used program materials and philosophy to develop engaging activities and projects ▪ Worked with several teaching assistants Teacher/Tutor, Arya Tara School, Kathmandu, Nepal ▪ Created, adapted, delivered math and English curriculum to Nepalese students ▪ Developed record-keeping system to coordinate volunteer efforts, student progress ▪ Edited and wrote for organization newsletter Mentor/Girl Scout Leader, Traveler’s Aid Family Shelter, Salt Lake City, UT ▪ Planned and co-facilitated group activities for homeless youth ▪ Personal mentor for four adolescent young women ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES Intermediate Orton-Gillingham Training (registered) ▪ Thirty hours of training in reading strategies by Institute for Multi-Sensory Education Classroom, Clinic and In-Home Interventions for Individuals with ASD ▪ Summer intensive presented by University of Washington Autism Center Re-EDucation ▪ Effective positive practices for working with troubled and troubling youth Seeing Stars (Lindamood-Bell) ▪ Theory and techniques for developing symbol imagery for phonemic awareness Mandt Certified ▪ Non-aversive de-escalation techniques and restraint training Life Skills Crisis Intervention ▪ De-escalation and verbal intervention/counseling techniques Developing Legally Compliant and Instructionally Useful IEPs ▪ Twenty hours of training in IEP development REFERENCES Mandy Busby Current Supervisor (Dean of Students), Liberty Middle School- Brian Wilde -Margaret Peterson Academy Principal Todd Beamer High School Former Supervisor (Associate Principal), Camas High School - Myca Johnson Colleague (Educational Psychologist), Camas High School - “Bridget has demonstrated high levels of enthusiasm, energy and professionalism…Her skills as an educator have been demonstrated in her teaching, her consultation with educators in school districts we serve, her acquisition of technical special education skills and the experiential “extras” she is providing her students.” -Jim Heliotis, Site Administrator Snohomish Discovery Allan Fleck Administrator (Director Special Services), Camas School District -