Erica Stephens
Brownsburg,IN
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in special education management at Hoosier College and Career Academy. Proven track record in compliance with special education law and effective team supervision. Skilled in policy development and conflict de-escalation, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances student services and staff retention.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Programs Department Manager
Hoosier College and Career Academy
05.2022 - Current
- Collaborate with all administrative staff on programs, systems, and procedures for effective practices.
- Develop and maintained a process for onboarding new students with special education services including requesting documents from the DOE, managing their identification in Power School and Total View Enrollment, ensuring move-in conferences are held in the 10-day compliant time line, and ensuring students are included in all aspects of school with services beginning immediately.
- Supervise and evaluate all certified special education staff and the school psychologist (13).
- Ensure compliance of special education programs and documents with all state and federal laws in addition to HCCA and Stride policies.
- Collaborate with the testing coordinator to ensure all accommodations are in place for state and local testing.
- Keep apprised of any changes in special education law and/or compliance requirements. Inform administration of any changes and provide professional development to staff when changes arise.
- Create and maintain compliance monitoring systems for IEP's.
- Cultivate positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Work directly with the Related Services Support to ensure related service contracts are maintained, services are being provided, and invoices are accurate and approved.
- Define clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Recruit, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Establish team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Complete all state reporting, with the Ops Manager, including both state and one Stride special education Child Count, EV report, and other reports determined by the state.
- Assist the Stride auditors with data, artifacts, and documents for all Stride audits. Assisted with the completion of the remediation plans.
- Serve as the Public Agency Rep on all manifest and evaluation conferences.
Case Conference Coordinator
Hoosier College and Career Academy
09.2013 - 05.2022
- Worked directly under the Director of Special Education to implement the department policies as they relate to special education.
- Collaborated with and implements policy developed by the Related Services Coordinator.
- Worked closely with the school psychologist to determine the needs of, and appropriate services for, students at the schools.
- Scheduled and service as the public agency representative for all case conferences.
- Worked with contracted providers tp ensure all virtual related services were delivered.
- Worked directly with the special education teachers to field questions concerning Article 7, Procedural Safeguards, data, IEP's, interventions and/or any other questions that may arise.
- Audited IEP's for compliance.
- Analyzed data to determine the need for professional development to better support teachers and students.
- Created detailed timelines and budgets for events to meet all deadlines.
Principal
North West Hendricks School Corporation
05.2010 - 06.2013
- Oversaw schedule management and protocols for orientation, registration, and related activities.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Defined and enforced student academic achievement standards in line with district goals and objectives.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Mentored newly hired educators and provided encouragement and feedback.
- Administered personnel policies and procedures for school faculty and staff.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Researched and incorporated new educational trends and instructional strategies to optimize education effectiveness.
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
- Communicated policies and procedures to students and parents regarding student behavior.
- Studied assessment information covering students, teachers and school operations to formulate improvement plans.
- Maintained school focus on learning by enforcing rules related to academics, student discipline and class attendance.
- Managed budgets and resources for educational programs.
- Coordinated staff and student activities to promote a safe and productive learning environment.
- Formulated and implemented school safety and security policies.
- Prepared school budget and submitted to school board with recommendations for hiring, capital expenditures, and cost-saving initiatives.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
- Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
Assistant Principal
North West Hendricks School Corporation
07.2008 - 05.2010
- Supervised and evaluated teaching and support staff through instructional leadership and professional development.
- Led meetings to convey policy changes, gather information, and assess employee thoughts.
- Monitored student behavior and enforced discipline policies.
- Assisted with compliance efforts for fire and other safety regulations.
- Supported special education department by developing programs and protocols for at-risk youth and students with special needs.
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Oversaw the building process for opening the new school including attending construction meetings, purchasing furnature, books, supplies, hiring staff, and getting the building operational for the 2010 school year.
- Served as the public agency rep for all case conferences.
- Oversaw the writing of the school improvement plan.
Teacher: 1st, 3rd, Special Ed Inclusion
Avon Community School Corporation
08.1999 - 05.2008
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Developed IEPs for special education students.
- Measured progress and reported results to parents.
- Proctored local and state assessments.
Education
Licensure Program - Director of Exceptional Needs
Indiana University, Bloomington
Bloomington, IN12-2018
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05-2007
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary And Special Education
Ball State University
Muncie, IN05-1999
Skills
- Special Education Law
- Power School, Canvas, IIEP, TV proficient
- Financial analysis
- Department leadership
- Team supervision
- Verbal and written communication
- Vendor relationship management
- Policy development
- Coaching and mentoring
- Staff hiring and retention
- Consensus building
- Scheduling
- Forecasting and planning
Certification
License No: 1427368
Instructional:
General Elementary, Rules 46-47, 1-6 7/8 Non-Dept.
Mildly mentally Handicapped, Rules 46-47, K-12
Administrative:
Director Of Exceptional Needs, Rules 2002, All Schools
Building Level Administrator, Rules 2002, All Schools
Timeline
Special Programs Department Manager
Hoosier College and Career Academy
05.2022 - Current
Case Conference Coordinator
Hoosier College and Career Academy
09.2013 - 05.2022
Principal
North West Hendricks School Corporation
05.2010 - 06.2013
Assistant Principal
North West Hendricks School Corporation
07.2008 - 05.2010
Teacher: 1st, 3rd, Special Ed Inclusion
Avon Community School Corporation
08.1999 - 05.2008
Licensure Program - Director of Exceptional Needs
Indiana University, Bloomington
Master of Science - Educational Administration
Purdue University
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary And Special Education
Ball State University
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