Brenda+H+Avance+Educational+Vita+updated+2-13-2012

1821 Palomino Drive, Rowlett, TX 75088 (M) 214-402-1583; brenda.avance@gmail.com
 * Brenda Harris Avance **

** Education/Certification **


 * M. Ed. ** Educational Administration, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 2009


 * BS ** Vocational Home Economics, Harding University, Searcy, AR 1976

Superintendent Certificate Texas (In Progress)

Standard Principal (EC-12) Texas 05/17/2009

Teacher Certificate Secondary Generic Special Education (Grades 06-12) - Life, Texas Secondary Home Economics Grades (06-12) - Life, Texas Vocational Home Economics Grades (06-12) - Life, Texas Passed Early Childhood EXCET #7081083, 06/13/1992

** Administrative and Leadership Experience **


 * Vocational Adjustment Coordinator/Administrator, Transition Learning Center, **
 * Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2004-present **


 * Supervised three/four job coaches who work directly with the adult students in our program


 * Worked with adult students (18 to 22 years old) to help them find and retain paid employment in the community, and helped them access adult services


 * Built and maintained good relationships with district administrators, 7 high schools’ teachers and staff, parents, community employers and adult service providers (e.g., Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Social Security Administration, Texas Workforce, Region 10 Education Service Center) in the Garland ISD communities and the Dallas metroplex


 * Hosted, participated in and advised the Garland Area Community Service Providers Network and the Garland Independent School District Special Education Business Advisory Council


 * Incorporated the Transition Learning Center as a Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)- Approved Certifying Agency that helped graduating seniors and other adults with disabilities to get a reduced fare, disability identification card


 * Evaluated and piloted the new on-line system for goals and objectives with technology personnel in Garland Independent School District and presented staff development to train district special education personnel and district nurses in on-line system for goals and objectives


 * Administrative Internship (Lamar University), Cooperative Behavior Center, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2008-2009 **


 * Incorporated activities to enhance knowledge and understanding of the nine principal competencies


 * Maintained a good working relationship with all stakeholders, communicated effectively to promote the success of all students and promoted the district’s vision that all students can learn


 * Evaluated self and others with meaningful observations and assessments to enhance knowledge and understanding of the nine principal competencies


 * Special Education Specialist, PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2000-2009 **


 * Prepared and presented summer trainings and staff developments during the school year for district employees


 * Aligned, implemented and developed the district Alternative Assessment customized curriculum in PLATO courseware for TAKS preparation.


 * Designed and implemented classes, group and individualized assignments in PLATO courseware for special education teachers at high schools and middle schools across the district


 * Maintained and supported PLATO courseware used for students at the Meeting and Catering Service Office at Harris Hill Administration Building, Cooperative Behavior Center, Infant Center and Transition Learning Center


 * In-Home Training Specialist, Special Education, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2002-2005 **


 * Developed and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, classroom teachers, and in-home training supervisor


 * Followed Garland Independent School District policies and confidentiality guidelines for appropriate evaluation, documentation, and record keeping on student progress and behavior and provided feedback for goals and objectives to IEP committees


 * Presented and participated in professional development trainings and workshops for continuous improvement and growth in knowledge base of the autism spectrum


 * Master Technology Trainer, South Garland High School, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 1998-2004 **


 * Prepared and presented group staff development sessions and individualized sessions of training in several areas of need (e.g., Interclass, Gradebook, GroupWise, Inspirations, Mapper, PCC administration, TRO/PLATO)


 * Attended technology meeting with other district master technology trainers, evaluated and trained on updates needs


 * Designed and conducted surveys to find out teacher skills and needs in technology and subsequently prepared trainings in those areas and collaborated with the other trainers on my campus to make sure all staff needs were met


 * Vocational Adjustment Coordinator, South Garland High School, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2001-2004 **


 * Conducted individual transition plans with every student with special needs at South Garland High School and advised them on transitioning information to facilitate graduation with knowledge of adult services


 * Supervised one job coach and coordinated with the part-time vocational adjustment coordinator to facilitate student transition services, job employment and vocational class work


 * Maintained a good relationship with regular vocational teachers, helped their students with special needs access their programs, assisted students in finding paid employment, and job coached students at work locations


 * Developed and maintained good relationships with community businesses as an employment consultant and job search specialist


 * Integrated technology use into the vocational preparation classes, prepared resumes, completed on-line applications, accessed Texas Workforce Commission employment services, and established student email in a secure internet school site

** Teaching Experience **


 * High School Resource Teacher, South Garland High School, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 1997-2001 **


 * Integrated technology use into the classroom curriculum in campus based special education resource classes for students with special needs


 * Maintained and audited the special education department data


 * Maintained a positive classroom environment and individualized curriculum for students with special needs as they worked and met their own goals and objectives


 * Maintained relationships with and collaborated with supervisors, general education teachers, special education teachers, and coaches and helped all students succeed


 * Substitute Teacher, High Schools and Elementary Schools, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX 1997 **


 * Implemented teacher lesson plans effectively and followed policies and procedures of the district, schools and classrooms


 * Maintained good relationships with campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff on a variety of campuses throughout the district


 * Incorporated knowledge about the district’s vision, goals, and cultural makeup which created flexibility and effectiveness at different campuses, and also in general education, special education and vocational classes


 * Cafeteria Manager, Part-time Physical Education Teacher, Basketball/Volleyball/Tennis/Cheerleader Coach and Substitute, Dallas Christian School, Mesquite, TX 1992-1997 **


 * Owned and managed a personal business that ran the cafeteria for the elementary, middle school and high school for a year. Employed eight staff members and was offered the contract for the next year.


 * Maintained good relationships with campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff on all three campuses and followed policies and procedures of the school, classrooms and extra-curricular activities


 * Evaluated the specific instructional needs of the students for physical education and developed a curriculum to fit their needs


 * Created successful athletic programs in 8th grade girls basketball for 2 years, 7th grade volleyball for 3 years, 7th and 8th grade boys and girls tennis for 5 years and supervised a variety of cheerleader groups (e.g., 7th, 8th grade, junior varsity, varsity) and coordinated all the groups for 3 of the 5 years


 * Substitute Teacher, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, TX, 1980-1981, 1989-1992 **


 * Implemented teacher lesson plans effectively and followed policies and procedures of the district, schools and classrooms


 * Incorporated knowledge about the vision, goals, and cultural makeup of the district which helped me be flexible and effective at different campuses and in general education, special education and vocational classes


 * Maintained good relationships with assistant administrators I had worked with at H. Grady Spruce, other campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff on a variety of campuses throughout the district


 * Vocational Home Economics Teacher, H. Grady Spruce High School, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, TX, 1977-1980 **


 * Designed and developed lesson plans and generated tests for the curriculum in 5 subjects (e.g., home economics 1, home economics 2, home economics 3, child development 2, family living


 * Integrated a variety of teaching methods and instructional strategies, created a positive classroom climate to generate student interest and helped all students learn


 * Maintained good relationships with campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff to foster teamwork to help all students learn

** Additional Training/Professional Development ** “Non Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI)”, Garland, TX 2011 “Professional Development and Appraisal System,” Education Service Center Region 10 Richardson, TX October, 2008 “Instructional Leadership Development,” Education Service Center Region 10, Richardson, TX June, 2008 “Life Strategies Workshop for the Special Needs Family”, Dallas, TX 2010 “Podcasting”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, January, 2009 “BEH – Review 360 Training”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, December, 2009 “Office 2007: Access Basics”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, November, 2009 “PLATO Web Learning Network (PWLN): Basic Skills”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, September, 2009 “Non Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI),” Garland, TX, 2009 “LEGAL – Special Education Connection,” Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX January, 2009 “Travel Training Strategies for Students with Special Needs”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, October, 2008 “EduGence”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, October, 2008 “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator Training,” Garland, TX, September, 2008 “Achieve Texas”, Region 10, Richardson, TX, April, 2007 “PLATO-PWLN”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, May, 2007 “Desktop-Access II”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, April, 2007 “Desktop-Access I”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, March, 2007 “Travel Training,” Easter Seals, Austin, TX, February, 2007 “Evaluation-TAKS”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, December, 2006 “Career and Technology Education and Special Education—Facts and Strategies” Region 10, Richardson, TX March, 2006 “Garland Oracle”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, March, 2006 “Desktop-Excel II”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, October, 2005 OSHA Course 501, OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer, Southwest Education Center, Mesquite, TX, June 2005 “Desktop-PowerPoint I & II”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, January, 2005 “Introduction to Project Management”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, June, 2004 “Board Maker Software”, Region 10, Richardson, TX, February, 2003 “MS Excel Fundamentals”, online, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, February, 2003 “PC Technology Course”, ITT Technical Institute, Richardson, TX, July, 2003 “GISD Tech Train Studies”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, August, 2000-May, 2002 “A Layout of Tomorrow’s Technology”, Richland College, Dallas, TX, June, 2002 “Networking: The Cisco Way”, Richland College, Dallas, TX, June, 2001 “Web Page Design Using Front Page 2000”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, May 2001 “MS Front Page”, Richland College, Dallas, TX, June, 2000 “Digital Imaging Technology”, Eastfield College, Mesquite, TX, May 2000 “Assistive Technology - What Does the Law Say and Legal Issues to Consider?” Infomart, Dallas, TX, December 1999 “Assistive Technology – Adaptive Computer Access” Infomart, Dallas, TX, December 1999 “Technology Bootcamp”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, June, 1998

** Presentations **

Avance, B (2008, June). //Trinity Railway Express Training// Presentation for Garland Independent School District, Garland, Dallas, Fort Worth, TX

Avance, B (2007, June). //Dallas// //Area Rapid Transit Training// Presentation for Garland Independent School District, Garland, Dallas, Richardson, TX

Avance, B (2006-2008, Jan-June), PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team trainings, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX

Avance, B (2006- 2008, Aug-Dec), PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team trainings, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX

Avance, B (2005, April), Garland Independent School District PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team Presentation at Association Supervision and Curriculum Development 2005 Annual Convention in Orlando, FL

Avance, B (2004), PLATO Behavior Adjustment teachers’ training, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX  ** Grants/Honors **

Graduated magna cum laude, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, 2009 Avance, B (2009, Fall), Garland Independent school District BEST Foundation Grant $400 Avance, B, (2007, Spring), Garland Independent School District BEST Foundation Grant $1000 Graduated cum laude, Harding University, Searcy, AR, 1976

** Professional Affiliations/Committee Member **

Garland Kiwanis 2011-2012 National Association of Professional Women, 2009-2012 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2000-2012 Texas Area Vocational Adjustment Coordinators (TAVAC), 2001-2012 Dallas Area Vocational Adjustment Coordinators (DAVAC), 2001-2012 Garland Independent School District Special Education Business Advisory Council Member, 2001-2012 Association of Texas Professional Educators 1998-2011 Garland Independent School District Special Education Business Advisory Council, 2001-2010, treasurer, Parent Teacher Association, Dallas Christian School, 1985-2008 State Developed Alternative Assessment II; Math Instructional Levels 6-8 Item Data Review Committee Member, Austin, TX, July 27-29, 2004 Parent Teacher Association, South Garland High School, 1997-2004 MATH TAAS TASKFORCE, South Garland High School, 1998-2000 South Garland High School Campus Improvement Team Member, 2000-2004 KAPPA DELTA PI, 1975-1979