Special Education Teacher (Extensive Support Needs)

Ashley G.

My name is Ashley, and I am an extensive support needs (formerly moderate–severe) special education teacher in San Francisco. I hold a California teaching credential in Special Education and have been teaching for six years. I currently teach a 3rd–5th grade Special Day Class in a public school setting.

My teaching experience includes working with students with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, orthopedic impairments, and speech and language impairments. Many of my students are nonverbal or minimally verbal and use AAC systems (including direct selection and eye-gaze) to communicate. I have extensive experience providing individualized instruction both in small groups and one-on-one settings within the classroom.

I specialize in phonics and literacy instruction for students with significant learning needs. My approach is highly structured, explicit, and relationship-based, with an emphasis on building foundational skills through repetition, visual supports, and multi-sensory learning. I prioritize getting to know each student’s communication style, strengths, and motivators so instruction is both accessible and meaningful.

In addition to classroom teaching, I have experience supporting students individually and collaborating closely with families and related service providers. Because I believe consistency and trust are essential for student progress, I am ideally seeking ongoing tutoring relationships rather than one-time sessions.

While standardized test scores and GPAs are not the primary indicators of effectiveness in my field, my qualifications are grounded in professional training, hands-on classroom experience, and measurable student growth over multiple school years.