Blanca Palma
Falls Church
Summary
Experienced Paraprofessional skilled in implementing individualized education plans and fostering student independence in diverse learning environments. Expertise in classroom management and behavior monitoring, ensuring a positive and inclusive atmosphere for all students. Committed to enhancing academic performance through tailored support and effective communication with teachers and students alike.
Overview
2
2
Languages
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Paraprofessional
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax
12.2008 - Current
- Assists with daily classroom management of all assigned students.
- Monitors students' behavior and assists in establishing expectations for behavior in accordance with the school-wide discipline plan and classroom rules.
- Assisted teachers with classroom management strategies to enhance student learning. in classroom management and student engagement activities.
- Possesses sufficient mobility to monitor students and control the behavior of students in classroom and non-classroom situations.
- Monitored children on playground, ensuring safe transitions between buses and classrooms.
- Helps promote students' independence, social skills, and self-help skills.
- Promoted positive self-concept in students, fostering confidence and self-esteem. self-concept in students.
- Distributed instructional materials to students and collected completed assignments for evaluation. instructional materials.
- Prepares, compiles, and copies instructional materials.
- Performed setup for instructional projects to create an engaging learning environment. and cleanup for instructional projects.
- Supported students with special needs during lessons and assessments.
- Implemented individualized education plans under teacher supervision.
Unit leader
Neighborhood and Community Services Fairfax County Government
Fairfax
09.2005 - 09.2020
- Assisted teens with special needs and disabilities
- Created and led activities to promote engagement among teens with special needs and disabilities
- Maintained a safe and fun environment for teen participants
- Translated papers into English for Non-English speaking parents
- Developed comprehensive training materials for staff to enhance understanding of community service initiatives
- Coordinated team meetings to align on project goals and strategies.
- Coordinated community outreach programs that connected residents with essential local services
Residential Assistant
Northern Virginia Family Services
Fairfax
12.2015 - 12.2019
- Ensured safety and security of shelter and residents by enforcing house rules, conducting inspections, and reporting incidents per protocols.
- Supported clients in daily living activities and personal care needs.
- Assisted in conducting a comprehensive initial screening process to determine eligibility for program services, providing assessment and intake.
- Conducted new resident orientation to facilitate understanding of shelter rules, policies, and procedures.
- Recorded detailed interactions and service plans for each resident of resident interactions and service plans.
- Work collaboratively with volunteers assigned to work in the residential area
- Maintain client files and data
- Coordinated community events and workshops to enhance resident engagement.
Administrative Assistant
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax
08.2008 - 12.2008
- Served as an administrative assistant to the principal of an elementary school.
- Facilitated smooth and efficient office operations.
- Performed administrative tasks to support school operations.
- Organized and maintained student records and files for easy access.
- Assisted in preparing instructional materials for teachers.
Central Register Office
Fairfax County Public Schools
02.2008 - 08.2008
- Performed paraprofessional duties in a specialized area to support Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) student registration services.
- Supported student registration services at Fairfax County Public Schools by performing key administrative tasks.
- Prepares, maintains and reviews all student files; conducts case management of student files by analyzing documentation for accuracy, follow-up, and for changes in status on a scheduled basis.
- Completed and forwarded all paperwork and electronic filings to appropriate FCPS departments, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Assists families in completing school registration forms and analyzes documentation for registration; keeps records and responds to phone inquiries; stays current on local, state.
- Federal regulations and procedures; and responds to requests for registration information from schools, departments, and county agencies.
Youth Counselor/ Outreach Coordinator
Alternative House
02.2006 - 02.2008
- Provided direct service and support to clients, including handling referrals for child advocacy issues, conducting needs evaluations, and resolving complaints to enhance client outcomes.
- Recruited and interviewed volunteers and staff for various roles in the organization.
- Research and analyze member or community needs to determine program directions and goals.
- Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
- Presented to community groups to articulate agency purposes, programs, and policies, fostering understanding and engagement with the community.
- Prepared and maintained comprehensive records and reports, including budgets and personnel records, to support organizational transparency and effectiveness.
- Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
Education
Diploma -
Wakefield High School
Arlington, VA06-1976
Skills
- Classroom management
- Student support
- Special education
- Individualized education plans
- Special needs assistance
- Student supervision
- Student support
- Special needs assistance
- Teaching support
- Instructional assistance
- Activity planning
- Material preparation
- Progress monitoring
- Data management
- Data collection
- Record keeping
- Parent involvement
- Crisis intervention
- Peer mediation
- Student accommodation
- Behavior management
- Behavior intervention
- Activity execution
- Engagement strategies
- Life skills training
- Reading intervention
- Learning strategies
- Problem solving
- Study skills
- Individual instruction
- Group facilitation
- Student mentoring
- After-school programs
- Administrative support
- Classroom support
- Team collaboration
- Communication skills
- Effective communication
- Smartboard
- Multicultural awareness
- Calm and patient demeanor
- Patient
- Prioritization skills
- Problem solving
- Safety enforcement
- Activity leadership
- Emotional support
- Academic support
- Disability awareness
- Group assistance
- Student assistance and assistance
- Disability awareness
- Activity execution
- Administrative support
- Special education support
- Behavior management
- Group assistance
- Engagement strategies
- Emotional support
- Academic support
Languages
Spanish
Professional
English
Professional
Timeline
Residential Assistant
Northern Virginia Family Services
12.2015 - 12.2019
Paraprofessional
Fairfax County Public Schools
12.2008 - Current
Administrative Assistant
Fairfax County Public Schools
08.2008 - 12.2008
Central Register Office
Fairfax County Public Schools
02.2008 - 08.2008
Youth Counselor/ Outreach Coordinator
Alternative House
02.2006 - 02.2008
Unit leader
Neighborhood and Community Services Fairfax County Government
09.2005 - 09.2020
Diploma -
Wakefield High School