Jennifer Burgard-Quaranta

For Weebly Posted Resume Contact Information Withheld

Email: jenburgard@yahoo.com
Strengths: * achiever * deliberative * learner * analytical * responsibility

My mission is to help others see and develop the potential in themselves and others.

Education

Master of Education in Educational Leadership 2016

Doane College, Lincoln, NE

Master of Arts in Special Education Severe Profound Disabilities with Autism Emphasis 2007
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Bachelor of Science in Education Emphasis in Cognitive Disabilities 2001

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI

Certifications

Nebraska Standard Administrative Certificate Valid through 2023

PK-12 Principal Endorsement

Nebraska Professional Teaching Certificate Valid through 2024

Mild / Moderate Disabilities K-6
Severe/ Multiple Disabilities K-12

Arizona Structured English Immersion K-12 Does not expire

Endorsement in SEI

Areas of Expertise and Interest

Creating data collection systems Analysis of school wide behavior data

Extensive knowledge of autism Conducting professional development
Providing behavioral supports for students Collaboration with families and schools
Applying multidisciplinary approach to Thorough documentation
programming for students
 Professional Experiences

Lincoln Public Schools

Student Supports Coach May 2014-present
• External coach working with four elementary and one middle school on initial building
wide implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBiS)
• Conducting classroom observations and provided feedback to teachers
• Providing professional development through a variety of formats including in person as
well as webinars ranging from a few hours to longer courses for salary advancement and
tenure
• Creating Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Interventions Plans for students
in collaboration with school psychologist and other team members

Autism Team Leader June 2015-preent

• Collaborating with schools personnel including administrators, teachers, therapist,
paraprofessionals, and families to meet the educational needs of students with autism or
participating in alternative assessment for preschool through age 21 programs
• Creating best practices informational handouts to use when coaching at schools
• Developing rubrics to evaluate the progress and fidelity of implementing best practices
for administrators to refer to when conducting classroom observations
• Providing professional development to a variety of audiences regarding behavior, autism,
and information related to instruction of students participating in the Nebraska State
Assessment- Alternate Assessment (NeSA-AA)
• Participate in professional development through the ASD Network including S.T.E.P.S

Verbal Behavior Consultant September 2015-present

• Lead trainer for Lincoln Public Schools for Verbal Behavior training
• Conduct initial assessments of preschool through middle school aged students with
limited or no verbal communication using the ABLLS-R
• Consult with schools regarding conducting an initial assessment or providing guidance
for ongoing programming and data collection to decrease undesired behaviors and
increase communication
• Collaborate with other consultants throughout the state to help build our knowledge

Special Education Department Support Team August 2013-2014

• Supported students receiving special education services and staff in the elementary
through post-high school settings
• Collaborated with various professionals to plan and coordinate programming for students
including but not limited to paraeducators, classroom teachers, therapists, administrators,
special education coordinators, and parents
• Modified and made available at the district level curriculum materials directly related to
new reading curriculum to support students working on the extended indicators of the
state standards
• Provided schools with notes from visits that documented observations, concerns, and
recommendations to the programming
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Professional Experiences Cont.

Special Education Teacher (Lux Middle School) August 2009-August 2013

• Worked as a resource teacher to co-teach a variety of courses including math, English,
and science primarily at the 8th grade level
• Taught functional/life skills math, life skills reading, life skills science and reading
elements for students who were unable to meet grade level standards
• Attended weekly meetings to discuss academic and behavioral concerns of students
• Helped create and implement behavior plans for students to be successful
• Served as a representative from Lux for the Best Practices Cohort-Middle School
Teachers (2009-2010, and 2012-2013)
• Helped create materials for and provide feedback regarding the functional math
curriculum for use by the district (2011-2012)
• Supervised practicum and student teachers
• Collaborated with paraprofessionals and provided training upon request
• Served on the school Wellness Committee

Tucson Unified School District

Special Education Teacher (Rogers Elementary School, AZ) August 2004-May 2009
• Special education teacher responsible for the development of Individualized Education
Plans and implementation of instruction for students in grades kindergarten through
second grade in a self-contained classroom for students with autism
• Worked on school improvement reading and math goals
• Collaborated with general education teachers on a regular basis to help facilitate support
for students with autism in the general education classroom
• Created curriculum and data collection methods for students taking the alternate
assessment (AIMS-A)
• Supervised and trained up to four paraprofessionals per academic year in regards to
autism as well as specific programming and data collection for each student
• Member of school team who participated in 14 hours of training per month, during the
school year, through the Department of Education focused on ASD

Johnson Creek School District

Student Teaching (Johnson Creek Elementary School, WI) August 2001-December 2001
• Provided special education services through a variety of service delivery models for
students in kindergarten through sixth grade
• Conducted assessment such as the Woodcock Johnson to determine eligibility for Special
Education services
• Assisted with the Student Council

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 Other Professional Experiences Related to Educational Settings

Bright Lights Summer Learning Adventures (Lincoln, NE) May 2015-June 2015
• Assisted with training sessions for student volunteers and teachers in regards to policies
and procedures
• Helped ensure safety of participants in the program by meeting with the nurse regarding
medical concerns, and participating in the safety drills
• Created an acknowledgement system for recognizing students meeting the program
expectations which was implemented throughout the summer program
• Supervised teachers and provided feedback on their session
• Participated in the exit interviews of teachers in which they discussed what went well and
how they might improve their class in the future
• Supervised students during arrival and dismissal
• Worked with families to problem solve concerns

Easter Seals Blake Foundation (Tucson, AZ) June 2006-August 2008

• Supported elementary aged children with disabilities in a fully inclusive summer camp
experience
• Trained peers how to support students with autism
• Led activities with students
• Served as lead staff member supervising eight other staff members
• Assisted an adult with a developmental disability in an independent living situation

Camp Evergreen (Sheboygan, WI) January 1995-August 2004

• Director of camp for individuals with disabilities ages six through senior citizens in
traditional summer camp format as well as twice a month respite program for eight
seasons (1995-2002)
• Created and implemented three new programs for the camp (2002-2004) based on needs
of the community including a monthly program for teens to socialize, a ten week summer
school alternative (worked on IEP goals in a day camp setting), and a year round Day
Services program for adults aged 21 and older for whom employment was not an option
or while waiting for services to become available in the community
• Responsible for the day to day operations of the camp programs including but not limited
to programming, budgeting, hiring and training staff, scheduling weeks of attendance,
and dispensing medications
• Worked closely with individuals, families, schools, group homes, and agencies such as
the Department of Health and Human Services to develop goals for participants of the
year round day program

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 Community Involvement

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska 2015-Present

• Served as a Girl Scout co-leader for two troops, earning a Volunteer of Excellence Award
for service in 2017
• Supported five girls in earning their Bronze Award, the highest award for 4th and 5th
grade girls
• Guided girls to earn the Honor Troop Award for 2016-17 and waiting approval for 2017-
18
• Attend Service Unit meetings every other month with other co-leaders to keep up to date
with council information and events
• Served as Service Unit Event Co-Coordinator to plan programming for girls belonging to
the same geographical area of our community in grades kindergarten through twelfth
grade at least twice a year
• Served as a Delegate to the annual meeting
• Participated in Girl Scout alumni events

Autism Family Network 2011-Current

• Promoted and attended the local 5K fund-raising event since it began in 2016
• Attended Light It Up Blue event at the State Capital when held since it began in 2011,
providing small activities for families during event
• Attended special events such as the Sensory Friendly Santa, Family Night at Lost in Fun,
Sensory Friendly Movies, and many others to make connections with families

Walk Now For Autism Speaks Nebraska Walk Committee Member 2013-2015
• Participated in kick-off events including making sure resource material was available
• Promote event with community members
• Recruit and organize volunteers for walk
• Organized logistics for volunteers, raffle, food area, and resource fair
• Day of event set up, greeting guests, clean up
• Participated in post-walk evaluation and debriefing of event to determine what worked
well and what to adjust for future walks

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