Ruth Cariani Email & Phone Number

After a career sabbatical, I returned to the classroom to continue working on curriculum development with special education students. I came back seamlessly, having kept my professional connections and awareness of current educational and learning trends. Through data collection and analysis, I evaluated the curriculum and its capacity to meet learners’ needs. Where it didn’t, I structured stop-gap processes which resulted in greater connection with each individual, based on their current stage of development.I took my communications skills to new depths through highly-structured meetings with IEP teams. Calming fraught nerves and de-escalating tensions dynamically changed interactions for the better, keeping focused on our shared goal of achieving results.While I have valued my time as an academic instructor and learned valuable things, with the changes this year has brought, I am widening my career options and exploring new opportunities.

I began my teaching career with special education students across the spectrum, working on cognitive, behavioral, and developmental challenges in an integrated classroom. I cultivated a fluidity with assessing existing lesson plans and curriculum to determine if instruction met their needs, then devising new methods to connect with them.Working with IEP teams, I facilitated discussions as to how to set and pursue goals, increasing students’ confidence and self-efficacy. I implemented positive behavioral supports to keep an atmosphere grounded in encouragement, which resulted in students thriving within the learning environment.Following this, I paused my career journey to take a sabbatical while keeping my connections through networking. When the time was right, I stepped back into the professional world again.