Melissa Buffa, Med. Email & Phone Number

Meadow Brook Elementary School

Develop and implement developmentally appropriate activities for prekindergarten students following the Beyond Centers and Circle Time Curriculum. Plan activities that meet the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of the children. Ensure that children are directly supervised at all times. Establish consistent routines and provide positive guidance. Maintain a safe and secure learning environment for children to feel comfortable. Write, implement and maintain IEPs for exceptional students. Demonstrate student growth and understanding through data collection. Administer various assessments throughtout the school year. Communicate and collaborate with therapists, teachers and parents in a professional manner.

Instructing and assessing core subjects in an inclusive third grade class at a culturally diverse urban school. Teaching using the Harcourt Curriculum and writer’s workshop to students needing reading and writing strategy instruction. Incorporating technology in language arts and math lessons. Modifying lessons and accommodating activities for students with learning disabilities (LD) and exceptional needs.

Instructed and assessed students with students with learning disabilities (LD), emotional impairments (EI), cognitive impairments (CI), visual impairments (VI), and other health impairments (OHI). Assisted mentor in implementing multiple curriculums such as, the Horizons reading program, Connecting Mathematics, and Language for Thinking language arts program. Accommodated and modified lessons for English Language Learners (ELL).

Facilitated communication among campers to resolve conflicts to create a united camp environment. Planned and facilitated entire lower elementary camp programs to provide pleasure and entertainment for campers and staff. Planned and facilitated team building activities during staff training to foster a collaborative and supportive camp environment

Planned and implemented daily activities according to the interest and abilities of an assigned group of children. Stimulated the interests and creative abilities of the children to promote intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. Responsible for the health, safety and education of assigned group at all times. Professionally and effectively communicated with parents with respect to their child’s development and behavior and informed the Center Supervisors of any pertinent information related to parents and children. Assisted the children in learning to think creatively, to solve problems independently, and respect themselves and others.

Stimulated the interests and creative abilities of the children to promote intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. Professionally and effectively communicated with parents with respect to their child’s development and behavior while always maintaining strict confidentiality regarding children and families. Served as a model and mentor for practicum students.

Med., Severe & Profound Disabilities

Project SPD Grant Student

Ba, Special Education-Emotional Impairments & Learning Disorders

Michigan Provisional Certificate (Highly Qualified): K-5 All Subjects; K-12 All subjects Emotional Impairments (EI) and Learning.