Email tswiger.mse@gmail.

com
Address 62 Gaither Way , Greensburg, PA,
15601
Tessa Swiger
Phone 724.420.7702

OBJECTIVE

A highly passionate educator with experience teaching students with special needs wanting to build a long term
career promoting independence, social and life skills.

EXPERIENCE

Student Teaching Taught both general education (kindergarten) and special

Norvelt Elementary School - Mt. Pleasant, PA education (K-4). Created engaging and active learning lessons
in reading/ela, math, science, social studies, social skills,
January-2018 - April-2018
health, music, and life skills.

Teacher Aide and Personal Care Worked alongside of students with severe autism, OCD,
Assistant behavioral and emotional issues, anxiety and sociopathic
Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children - tendencies. Reinforced IEPs, behavioral plans as well as
Greensburg, PA created visual schedules, task analysis, verbal and physical
prompts. Maintained a fun, safe, learning environment for
May-2015 - August-2017
students.

Community Support Staff CSS for adult clients with IDD, Autism, physical developmental
Community Options - Greensburg, PA delays, dementia, emotional/behavioral issues, ODD. Promoted
independence and daily living skills to improve greater quality
June-2014 - July-2015
of life and decreasing triggers of aggression. Aided in
maintaining a clean living space, healthy meals, and
appropriate community outings. Managed field client
paperwork, documentation of medications and behaviors. Also
trained new employees on how to document and care for
clients.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Special Education
Seton Hill University - Greensburg, PA
2017
GPA 4.0, presented research at two Seton Hill sponsored
conferences, help start and continue the Fred Rogers
Neighborhood Music Initiative program for early childhood
centers, facilitated music groups through the Autism Society of
Westmoreland County

Bachelor of Arts in Education
Seton Hill University - Greensburg, PA
2018
Certified in both Special Education (PreK-8) and Early
Childhood Education (PreK-4), GPA 4.0, created lessons in
reading, math, science, social studies, social skills, music,
health, and life skills.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Seton Hill University - Greensburg, PA Focus in music therapy, Psychology minor, Dean's list 2013,
2015 GPA 3.24, facilitated music groups on individual and group
basis with after/in school programs, and workshops with
individuals with autism, emotional/behavioral needs, IDD,
dementia, Alzheimers, depression, and various other
diagnosis.

SKILLS

American Sign Language , Spanish , Music , Technology , Social Skills , Behavior Management

PROJECTS

Trainer, Musician, and Facilitator of the Fred Rogers Neighborhood Music Initiative Program that brought music,
social skills, the teachings of Fred Rogers into early childhood settings.

Giving a Voice and Beat to Picture Books for All Young Children: The Lyrics, Literacy, and Language of Sing A-long Books
Research project presented to the board of Trustees and President of Seton Hill University. Research is ongoing
through Dr. Harris's Art, Music, and Movement course as well as ties to the Fred Rogers Initiative.

Connecting Young Children with Nature Using Technology, Contemplative Photography, and Storytelling is another research
project Dr. Harris and I presented to Board of Trustees and President of Seton Hill University at our Research
Conference. Was done in partnership with the Child Development Center.

Floor time Play Using Music Interventions is the first research I presented at Seton Hill University's Undergraduate
Research Conference. Created steps for successful implementation of music intervention in a floor time play session.

Facilitated drum circles and music groups for the Autism Society of Westmoreland County Summer Camp at
Antiochian Village for children, teens, and adults.

CERTIFICATIONS & COURSES

Council for Exceptional Children Member

Autism Society of America Member

Pennsylvania Teaching Certification Early Childhood Prek-4th grade

Pennsylvania Teaching Certification Special Education PreK-8th Grade