Susan Griffin
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated teacher with over 25 years of experience supporting students with diverse learning needs, with a deep passion for supporting individuals, and their families, living with Autism.
Experienced in developing and implementing lesson plans, individualized education plans and behavioral support plans. Skilled in employing effective teaching strategies, assessing, evaluating and reporting on student progress and fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and team collaboration skills, contributing to meaningful educational outcomes. Certified in First Aid and CPR.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Childcare Educator
Children's House of Early Learning
Boronia, VIC
09.2024 - Current
- Provided educational and developmental activities for children aged 1 to 5 years old in accordance with the Early Years Learning Framework.
- Guided children in developing essential life skills, such as independence and problem-solving.
- Supervised playground activities ensuring adherence to safety rules and regulations are followed at all times.
- Utilized positive reinforcement techniques to motivate and encourage children's learning.
- Established direct lines of communication with parents, notifying of concerning behavior or health issues.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Assisted in developing and implementing daily routines such as snack time, outdoor playtime, nap time.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
- Organized and implemented age-appropriate activities to stimulate physical, emotional, social, intellectual development of the children.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
- Fostered autonomy by permitting children to make decisions within adult-defined boundaries.
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay current with early childhood education practices.
Teacher
Eastern Ranges School
Ferntree Gully, VIC
01.2019 - 12.2023
- Provided specialised instruction and support to students with ASD, and diverse learning needs.
- Taught across all year levels and all curricular areas.
- Created a safe and nurturing learning environment for students.
- Collaborated with mainstream education classroom teachers to modify the curriculum and provide accommodations to ensure students' success in the mainstream education setting.
- Developed and implemented IEPs for students with a range of disabilities, including but not limited to ASD, ADHD, specific learning difficulties, developmental delays, and physical disabilities, to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Used progress monitoring data to inform instruction and adjust teaching strategies, resulting in measurable gains in student achievement.
- Performed standardised and informal assessments.
- Communicated regularly with families and caregivers to provide updates on student progress and solicit feedback on how to better support their child's learning.
- Collaborated with families to develop home-school partnerships and provide resources for supporting their child.
- Conducted functional behaviour assessments and developed intervention plans to support students with a wide range of behavioural challenges.
- Worked collaboratively with school staff to implement the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) framework.
- Provided social-emotional support to students, helping them develop coping strategies and self-regulation skills.
- Embraced the TEACCH program and implemented a structured teaching approach.
- Planned and facilitated community access experiences, excursions, and coaching clinics (gymnastics, rugby, judo, tennis, basketball, bike riding, athletics, and swimming).
- Active involvement in a wide range of school community events (inter-school sports, in-house sports day, fun run, fundraising events, and other 'special' days). Also, wider community experiences, including 'Kevin Heinze GROW,' 'Southern Dandenongs Community Nursery,' 'Meals on Wheels,' and Equine Therapy..
- Budgeted for, sourced, and purchased resources, materials, and equipment (including the maintenance of equipment).
- Collaborated with families, teaching staff, education support staff, allied health and support services, therapists, and medical practitioners.
- Actively involved in various committees and communities of practice (curriculum development, pedagogy, policy-making).
- Supported students and families with planning for post-school options, collaborating with various disability support services.
- Facilitated SSGs.
- Familiar with and utilised a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices.
- Followed, and implemented when required, individualised medical plans and specialised equipment, to support students with a wide range of medical conditions (including administering medications, documenting and recording).
- Mentored undergraduate teachers on placement, and inducted new staff.
- Undertook peer observations, and the giving and receiving of feedback, to inform best practices.
- Actively participated in whole-school staff and department/team meetings.
- Experienced in completing incident reports and risk assessments.
- Ongoing commitment to Professional Learning (mandatory and otherwise).
Teacher
Croydon Special Developmental School
Croydon, VIC
01.2018 - 12.2018
Teacher
Burwood East Special Developmental School
Burwood East, VIC
01.2012 - 12.2018
Teacher
Monash Special Developmental School
Wheelers Hill, VIC
01.2004 - 12.2013
Casual Relief Teacher
Various schools in Victoria and Scotland
- Ashwood Special School, Ashwood, 3147
- Vermont South Special School, Vermont South, 3133
- Glenallen School, catering for students who have a physical disability and/or significant health impairment, Glen Waverley, 3150
- Doveton College, Doveton, 3177
- Billanook Primary School, Montrose, 3765
- Coylton Primary School and Kinder, Coylton, KA6 6JP, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK
- Red Brae School, Independent Specialist School, providing educational and behavioural support for 10-16 year old boys, Maybole, South Ayrshire, KA19 7BS, Scotland, UK
Education
Master of Education (ASD, Early Intervention And Inclusion) -
University of Melbourne
Parkville, VIC01-2010
Bachelor's Degree in Teaching (Primary) -
University of The South West of Scotland
Ayr, Scotland01-1999
Cert III in Early Childhood Education And Care -
I.T.H.E.A. (Online)
Melbourne, VICSkills
- Individualised education plans
- Behavioural Support Approaches
- Classroom management
- Assessment Strategies
- Family engagement
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication Skills
- Team collaboration
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Childcare Educator
Children's House of Early Learning
09.2024 - Current
Teacher
Eastern Ranges School
01.2019 - 12.2023
Teacher
Croydon Special Developmental School
01.2018 - 12.2018
Teacher
Burwood East Special Developmental School
01.2012 - 12.2018
Teacher
Monash Special Developmental School
01.2004 - 12.2013
Casual Relief Teacher
Various schools in Victoria and Scotland
Master of Education (ASD, Early Intervention And Inclusion) -
University of Melbourne
Bachelor's Degree in Teaching (Primary) -
University of The South West of Scotland
Cert III in Early Childhood Education And Care -
I.T.H.E.A. (Online)
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