BrandonMelendez@aim.com

OBJECTIVE: To further my experience and development in the childhood/special education field

EDUCATION

       2011     New York University  

                    Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development

                    Master of Arts (MA) in Childhood Education and Special Education

                    (Graduate Candidate)

2009        Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY),

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in American Urban Studies

EMPLOYMENT

 2009- Present

             Director of Creative/Contributing Writer; Eat Your Serial, Inc., New York

• Collaborates with Marketing Department to create thorough and cohesive

advertisement campaigns

• Commercial concepts and execution including: scripting, directing, editing
• Provided graphic design for flyer campaign
• Recruiting and evaluation of new talent and projects
• Contributing serial writer
• Contributing blogger

 2005- 2010

Teacher Assistant; Hebrew Academy for Special Children, HASC Nassau,                    Woodmere New York

• Provided supervision and head teacher support in a 6:3:1 classroom with developmentally delayed students ages 5-9
• Incorporated CPI methods of intervention in classroom
• Preparation of classroom environment for daily lessons
• Preparation and creation of materials for lessons
• Responsible for facilitating daily groups and lessons
• Provision of TEACHH schedule
• Provision of 1:1 services to achieve Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals with students
• Assisted students in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills
• Incorporated limited and modified sign language to enhance classroom learning
• Created images for Picture Exchange (PEC) System
• Programmed Assistive Technology Devices
• Responsible for writing weekly news letters and frequent correspondence with parents
• Responsible for writing stories, plays, songs, and modifying texts for use in classroom
• Contributed to the composition of progress reports and report cards
• Assisted in the coordination of pupil transportation for entire school site
• Co-Chair Assistive Technology Staff Committee 2008-2009

• Co-Chair Creative Arts Staff Committee 2009-2010

2004-2005

            Teacher Assistant; Kulanu Program, Sunday Program, Cedarhurst, New York

• Provision of supplemental educational services to individual students
• Assisted in the completion of assigned school projects
• Supervision of school aged children on a weekly basis

CERTIFICATIONS and SEMINARS

            Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI)

            Occupational Safety and Health Administration Seminar (OSHA)

            Recognizing the Signs of Child Abuse

            Parallel Play

SKILLS

Studied Guitar Player, Proficient in programming Assistive Technology; Proficient with L*E*O* and Mini Mercury AAC Devices; Proficient in Picture Exchange Program; Knowledgeable in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Mayer-Johnson Boardmaker, Mayer-Johnson Speaking Dynamically Pro, Borderbund Printmaster, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Powerpoint; Familiar with Computer Networking.

*References Furnished Upon Request