Behavioral Analyst brings expertise, insights to Rye Lake Lower Campus classrooms
Angela Ferraro supports, collaborates with teachers for the benefit of students
Amid all of that, Ms. Ferraro, who works for All Points Licensed Behavior Analysts, collaborated with classroom Teacher Tiffany Kittrell on curriculum and lesson planning.
“I appreciate Angela’s presence in my classroom,” Ms. Kittrell said. “Her expertise and willingness to dive in and help where needed helps to improve our teaching practice. I’m always looking to further enhance my skills in behavior management and data collection.”
Ms. Ferraro’s visit was the first of many that will continue in Rye Lake classrooms throughout the school year. She’ll visit three to four classrooms a month, spending a full morning or afternoon with each class. Her colleagues from All Points also consult with teachers at other SWBOCES campuses like Tappan Hill and St. Matthew’s.
“I look at classroom management strategies that can be utilized, and also managing problem behavior,” said Ms. Ferraro, who is starting her fourth year at Rye Lake. “I try to understand why kids are doing what they're doing, so we can better respond and teach them the skills they are having issues with.”
The consultations are all about giving great teachers the tools to be even more effective by adding expert perspective and insights. Ms. Ferraro judges her own effectiveness by the numbers.
“If we’re seeing more communication from our kids and less problem behaviors, those are good signs to me,” she said. “If the data is trending in the right direction, then my input to the teachers was effective.”
For Teacher Janeelia Brown, who met with Ms. Ferraro earlier in the day, the support is welcome.
“As a teacher, I’m a lifelong learner,” Ms. Brown said. “If she provides me with the strategies to handle a behavioral situation, that allows me to grow my expertise as a teacher.”
In addition to in-class collaboration, Ms. Ferraro will also host professional development sessions for teachers in the fall and spring. Assistant Principal Nick Villano said he will meet with Ms. Ferraro following her visits to debrief, and teachers will have an opportunity to provide feedback as well.
Ms. Ferraro’s work includes assisting with Independent Education Plan goals, Essentials for Living curriculum assessments, data collection and professional development, Mr. Villano added.
“She has the expertise and education, and she's very hands-on,” he said. “She’s very helpful. She cares a lot about student outcomes. Everything she does seems to circle back to the student.”
