Tonya Cooper
Statesboro, Georgia
(912) 531-7472
Objective To obtain a position in higher education where I can teach and mentor students who desire to
enter the field of Special Education and Early Childhood.
Education Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Georgia Southern University, 1995
Masters of Science in Special Education
Georgia Southern University, 2003
Teaching Special Education Instructor, Statesboro, Ga
Experience Georgia Southern University, August 2015 – Current
● Provide instruction in undergraduate courses:
*SPED 3231 Classroom Management
*SPED 3131 Assessment
*ECED 3733 Methods II Practicum
*ECED 3732 Methods I Practicum
*SPED 3331 Intro to Special Education Early Childhood
*SPED 3332 Intro to Special Education Middle Grades
*SPED 3333 Intro to Special Education Music Ed
*SPED 4733 Practicum III
*SPED 4734 Practicum IV
*SPED 5799 Student Teaching
*SPED 4632 EdTPA Seminar
*CORE 2000 Core Capstone Education Majors
● Provide instruction to a fully online course using Folio
● Provide instruction to a hybrid course using Folio and the classroom
● Redesigned SPED 3333 Intro to Special Education Music Ed in collaboration
with Dual Certification faculty to meet the needs of music education majors
● Co-Advisor for Student Council of Exceptional Children (SCEC)
Supervision of Pre-Service Teacher Candidates, Statesboro, Ga
In collaboration with Georgia Southern University, August 2000- May 2015
● Hosted Methods, Practicum I, II, III students, and Student Teachers
● Mentored candidates in writing of Behavior Intervention Plans and
Individualized Education Plans
● Provided hands-on experience in writing and implementing appropriate lesson
plans for various levels and disabilities of students
● Assisted candidates in creating and implementing appropriate behavior
management plans and procedures
● Created a safe and comfortable environment for candidates to create and
develop their own personal teaching style
● Provided an Adaptive P.E. classroom experience for candidates to learn skills
needed to teach physical education to students with special needs
● Assisted candidates in administering Achievement and IQ Assessments and
interpreting the data
● Participated in training sessions on edTPA guidelines and participated in
evaluating local portfolios
Special Education Teacher, Statesboro, Georgia
Sallie Zetterower Elementary School, August 2004 – May 2015
● Taught students with Learning Disabilities, Mildly Intellectually and
Moderately Intellectually Disabilities, and Emotional Behavior Disorders ●
Worked with students in a self-contained setting, resource setting, and co-
teaching settings in grades K-5
● Developed lessons for individualized learning in the areas of math, reading,
English language arts, science, and social studies
● Served on multiple committees at Georgia Southern providing input as a
Clinical Supervisor on training prerequisites needed by Practicum students ●
Chair of the Student Support Team and Testing Committee
● Member of the Pyramid of Intervention Team
● Special Education Coordinator (2005-2015)
● Monitored Special Education Teachers on writing and implementing IEP’s
● Planned and directed weekly special education staff meetings
● Member of the School Improvement Team
● Member of the School Leadership Team
● Member of School Council Committee
● Active member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
● Sallie Zetterower Teacher of the year for 2013-2014 school year
Special Education Teacher, Portal, Georgia
Portal Elementary School, August 1999 – May 2004
● Taught students with Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders in resource
and co-teaching settings in grades K-5
● Developed lessons for individualized learning in the areas of math,
English/language arts, reading, science, and social studies
● Member of the Student Support Team and Testing Committee
● Developed Individualized Education Plans for each student
● Attended child study team meetings and staffing for learning disabled
● Planned and directed lessons using carefully designed lesson plans
Special Education Teacher, Reidsville, Georgia
Reidsville Elementary School, March 1995 – May 1999
● Taught students with Mild, Moderate, and Profound Intellectual Disabilities,
and students with Behavior Disorders
● Developed learning stations in reading, math, social studies, and science ●
Utilized PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) when teaching
students with Autism and Fragile X to enable increased communication in both
home and school environments
● Conducted Adaptive Physical Education to enhance the use of motor skills and
hand-eye coordination
● Member of the Testing Committee for the Student Support Team
Student Teacher, Statesboro, Georgia
Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, January 1995 – March 1995
● Instructed a diverse student population of students
● Taught individualized lessons using manipulatives
● Organized and created learning centers and bulletin boards
● Utilized cooperative learning strategies
● Created flannel board stories to enhance learning
● Kept concise records of students’ progress
● Worked productively with staff, students, and parents
Volunteer Special Olympics, Statesboro, Georgia
Experience August 1999 - current
● Assist with the planning of recreational events to boost self-confidence and
socialization skills
Camp RAD: Recreation for Adolescents with Disabilities, Georgia Southern
University
May 2016 – current
● Assist with recreational events to boost self-confidence and socialization skills
of students with special needs
Council of Exceptional Children (CEC), Statesboro, Georgia
August 1999 – May 2014
● President from 2008-2011
● CEC Summer School Coordinator 2009-2010
● CEC teacher of the year 2009-2010
● Active member of the organization
● Assisted in planning events for the community
Connection Church, Statesboro, Georgia
November 2011- current
● Connection Church Kids Leader, November 2011 – July 2017
● Aid in planning for kids with special needs
● Member of Women Retreat planning team
Community
● 4-H Archery Coach, February 2010 – 2015
● Fostering Bulloch
● Safe Haven
● Community Work Days
● First Friday Downtown
● Soup Kitchen
● Hearts of the Matter
Computer Skills
● Microsoft Office applications
● SEAS (Special Education IEP program)
● Google Docs
● Folio
● Chalk and Wire
● Swvil Cloud
References
Julie Mizell
Principal, William James Middle School
18809 US-80
Statesboro, Georgia 30458
(912) 212-8820
Todd Williford
Director of Exceptional Student Services, Bryan County School System
665 Harris Trail Road
Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324
(912) 851-4000
Shelley Woodward
Program Specialist, First District RESA
201 W Lee Street
Brooklet, Georgia 30415
(912) 842-5000
