Personal History

I'm Brian Cassels,

I am a professional educator, and a tireless learner. I was raised in the Panhandle of Oklahoma, once referred to as "No Man's Land". I attended the University of Oklahoma where I earned a bachelor degree in Education with an emphasis in Social Studies. 

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After a five-year stay in the Nashville area, I made my way to sunny Los Angeles in 2000. I was fortunate to find my way into this rewarding career when in 2006, I began teaching full-time. A year later, I met my amazing wife, Jane, with whom I share two boys and a pair of dogs. 

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I am dedicated to becoming a better instructor. I believe that it is a teacher's job to be a student, too. By that, I mean that I am focused on understanding and developing the methods and skills that will make me a better educator. I recently completed my coursework for my credential for teaching at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Education

September, 2017

University of California Los Angeles-Extension,

Los Angeles, California

Completed the Education Specialist Induction Program, 

Curriculum/Instruction Track Series.

May, 1994

University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

Earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education,

Social Studies. 

May, 1988

Guymon High School, Guymon, Oklahoma

High School Diploma. 

Teaching & Instructional Experience

Special Education Classroom Instructor

2006 - Present

Exceptional Children’s Foundation - Kayne Eras Center

Culver City, California

• Provides specialized instruction aligned with California Content and Common Core Standards for Curriculum

• Successfully teaches modified and accommodated secondary-level curriculum to students with special needs

• Provides a safe and supportive learning environment with rigorous instruction and expectations for all learners

• Employs a positive behavior support system to address challenging behaviors and promote student growth

• Generates regular reports evaluating students’ progress to support recommendations for further student development.

• Maintains frequent contact with families, support providers, paraprofessionals and other stakeholders to promote and ensure student success.

• Incorporates learning strategies for learning disabled students encompassing self-questioning, rehearsal and review, positive behavior support, cognitive behavior modification, differentiation, organization, memory strategies and modeling.

NPA Special Education Instructor

2017 - Present 

S.T.A.R. Academy - Haynes Family of Programs - 

La Verne, California

• Independent contractor providing direct specialized academic instruction to clients with special needs.

• Develops strategies and learning exercises to assist students in meeting IEP goals.

• Generates progress reports documenting the area of focus, instructional strategies used, and any progress the client has made towards his/her IEP goal. 

Substitute Teacher - Certified

2004 - 2006

Teachers On Reserve

Studio City, California​

1997 - 1998

Holland Employment

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

1993 - 1994

​Oklahoma City Public Schools

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Classroom management, execution of lesson plans and evaluation of student progress

• Long and Short Term Assignments in a variety of school settings and student demographics

• Collaborated with Teachers and Administrators

Small Groups Instructor

1997 -1998

Sylavan Learning Center

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

• Instructed groups ranging from two to five students

• Monitored and recorded student progress

• Selected learning materials appropriate for students’ individual learning needs and objectives

• Utilized positive reinforcement to incentivize student learning

Qualifications

• Autism Spectrum Disorder added authorization (AAAS)

• Special Instruction for English Language Learners (ELA1)

• Administering & Scoring Academic Assessments, K-12 (R3MM)

• SPED Instruction - mild-to-moderate disabilities (MM)

• Small Group Planning (Homogeneous & Heterogeneous

• Formative & Summative Assessment

• Positive Behavior Support

• CPR/First Aid Certified

• CPI Crisis Management Certified for non-violent intervention

• Welligent / SEIS trained

• IEP PLoP, Goal, Transition Plan & Behavior Support Plan writing

• WASC School-wide Curriculum Committee Chair

• Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) certified instructor