Denise A. Beck, M.Ed.
Educational Background and Research Proficiency
Havre de Grace MD  21078
[Send email using form at bottom]
443.910.3368
             
             
Formal Learning Experiences

•	Doctoral Candidate at Walden University in Special Education – Fourth Year
Pre-Dissertation
•	Master's Degree in Special Education/Physical Education from the University of
Maryland at College Park.  (Severe and Profound emphasis in coursework submitted
from the Johns Hopkins University). 
•	B.S. In Physical Education from Towson State University in Baltimore Maryland.
 
 
Other Formal Education and Certifications 

•	Advanced Professional Certificate license from both Maryland and Delaware.
•	Highly Qualified per NCLB in areas of:
Special Education
Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science
•	Certification:  Woodcock-Johnson test certified, 30 hours of coursework
provided by the Office of Professional Development Southwest Cluster.
•	2004-2005 Coursework – University of Virginia CaseNex.
Reading and Literary Instruction – Fall 2004
Literary Instruction for At-Risk Populations – Winter 2005
Group Dynamics – Spring 2005
•	2004-2005 Professional Development Baltimore County Schools.
Formal and Informal Assessments:  12 hours
Creating Effective and Correct IEP Development: Writing IEP Goals and Objectives
– 12 hours
SeeItRight, Office of Technology – 3 hours
Models of Inclusion – 3 hours
•	2006 Technology Training – Technology in the Science Classroom
•	Continuing Education Units:  Villanova University, Ring the Bell for Education
Reform, Villanova, PA.
•	 Summer 2004 : Scholarship Winner ($3,000) Strategic Management of  Schools
Initiative – Hauser Center for Non-Profit Organizations – Harvard University –
John F. Kennedy School of Government.
•	Therapeutic Options Certification:  Includes Passive Restraint and
De-Escalation.
•	Spring 2006 Instructor:  University of Virginia CaseNex – Graduate Behavior
Management Courses (online).
     


Current Position

Special Education Teacher employed by Clarity Educational Services, a private
contractor supplying Special Education professionals to schools in Baltimore
City.  Current position centers on self-contained classroom education.  Position
includes all academic formal and informal testing per city guidelines and  
collaboration with all stakeholders in the student IEP requirements by
organizing, leading, presenting, and following up on the IEP process.  Position
requires writing of and maintaining IEP's for  caseload and maintaining the
continuity of services and communication with families.  Also includes processing
third-party billing which documents all special education services, making
recommendations for continued or revised services, and maintaining daily contact
with caseload.  In addition requirements include creation and management, and
revision of behavior management plans, BIP's, and medical requirements/medication
management in cooperation with medical personnel or nurse.   Meeting all
deadlines for quarterly reports as required by federal law and collaborating with
classroom teachers is a major requirement of position.  September 2007 to
current.

Previous Teaching Positions


•	Maryland School for the Blind - teacher of students in both the Upper and
Lower Division and the MHU Unit (multiply handicapped).  I taught Physical
Education to blind students, some of which were highly functioning adolescents;
and others who were severely disabled.  I was also Director of the Therapeutic
Swim program and the Director of Special Olympics.   1976-1979
•	The Children's Guild, a Non-Public Intensity V school for severely emotionally
disturbed children ages 2-8.   1979-1982
•	Diagnostic/Prescriptive teacher – Sylvan Learning Systems.  Various times for
5 years, partime evening.
•	Special Education teacher – Baltimore City Jail/Detention Center/Pre-Trial
Division.  Summer 1999.
•	Special Education teacher – New Foundations – Intensity V Non-Public School
for severely emotionally disturbed male students ages 12-21.   June 2001 – June
2003.
•	Special Education teacher - Villa Maria School – Intensity V and residential
Non-Public School for severely emotionally disturbed youth ages 5-16.  Temporary
employee.
•	 Summer position 2006 - Special Education Teacher. Sheppard Pratt Hospital
(Forbush School).  Sheppard Pratt is America's premier hospital with respect to
behavioral health.
•	Baltimore County Schools – Inclusion Teacher (Middle Grades) – September 2003-
December 2006.
•	Summer position 2007 – Special Education teacher Delaware Autism program,
Newark, Delaware.


Prior Experience Designing and Executing Research

•	While a student at the University of Maryland, my thesis topic included an
investigation of reaction time with respect to blind students.  My advisor told
me that the research was of publishable quality.
•	Recent completion of Doctoral coursework including Research Methods,
Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research.
•	Author of copyrighted document for use in development of public charter of
school.

     My strengths revolve around a great desire to help kids who have little
chance of success, or have already come to the end of the road and may have
experienced incarceration.  This includes behavior management techniques. I have
a great compassion for these kids whose lives seem so complicated that they need
alternative placements/and or creative teaching methods.

Documentation concerning any part of this resume available.

Reference Spring 2007:

Mrs. Beck comes to you highly qualified and demonstrates outstanding skills in
working with students of various disability levels.  Mrs. Beck has performed in a
very valuable and professional manner with the Baltimore City Public School
System.  She has excellent rapport with children, staff, and office personnel.
She shows sincere interest in all individuals and is consistently fair and
professional with the public.  Mrs. Beck’s positive attitude is beyond reproach
always modeling optimism about life and our program.  I consider Mrs. Beck to be
capable and dedicated to the teaching profession.  She is ambitious and I
recommend her without reservation.

Sincerely,

Johnetta W. Neal, Ed.D
Assistant Principal