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Basic Education Program
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Valley Achievement Center provides a variety of programs which address behavior, communication, and academics. Alternative programs focus of self-help/self-care, vocational training, social and occupational skills, functional living, and "transitioning-into-community" skills. The Basic Education Program centers around three main goals: - Create quality individualized educational programs delivered in a one-to-one ratio of instruction to maximize learning potential. -Ensure a comprehensive approach to teaching, utilizing alternative curriculum, communication devices, and instructional methods. -Address each individual's behavioral needs through functional behavior assessment and intervention. Contact Information for the Basic Education Program: Valley Achievement Center: Basic Education
Program
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Director of Programs |
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Dolores Martinez has been employed with Valley Achievement
Center since 2002. She started as a part-time instructional assistant, and
later became a Basic Education Instructional Assistant. Dolores was the
Basic Education Program Assistant from September 2005- August 2007. Her
current role with the company is the Administrative Assistant for School
Programs. Dolores has received specialized training with PRO-ACT (Professional
Assault Crisis Training), Applied Behavior Analysis Principles (ABA) and
has attended various workshops related to the autism field. Dolores attended Ridgeview High School graduated in 1998. She has attended Bakersfield College, San Joaquin Valley College and has earned her Associate of Science Degree. She is currently enrolled in a bachelor's of science degree program, as a Human Services major at the University of Phoenix- Bakersfield Campus. Dolores plans to enroll in a master's degree program upon completion of her Bachelors degree with her ultimate goal to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, (LMFT). "I initially applied for this job knowing absolutely nothing of autism, I just knew that I wanted to become more familiar and offer my help in anyway I could. Through the years I have grown so attached to these children, I have seen what we are able to do to address the needs of these very special children. I feel so grateful each day to have been a part of their lives, and I continue to feel rewarded when I see the progress that is made with our assistance." |
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Michelle Graves started
working at VAC in August 1998. She attended CSUB where she received a Bachelors
Degree in Liberal Studies and a Credential in Special Education-Moderate/Severe
disabilities. She has also completed her Master’s Degree in Special
Education. She is currently enrolled at Cal State University of Northridge
where she is completing a second credential in Early Childhood Special Education.
She has also received specialized training in Applied Behavioral Analysis,
Professional Assault Response Training, now called Pro-Act, Floor-Time,
Pivitol Response Training, and several other Autism training workshops.
She entered the field of special education not really knowing my own expectations.
She has seen the progress in the children she helps everyday as well as
the happiness this brings to the parents, and this is the most motivating
thing she could ever ask for. "I have the greatest expectations for
all of my students and it is wonderful to see them accomplish them on a
daily basis." |
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Diana Sevillanos has
been employed with Valley Achievement Center since 2001. She started with
the company as an Administrative Assistant to the School Director, Jolene
Billinger. She later became a Special Education Teacher in the Basic Education
Program in December 2005. Diana has received specialized training in Applied
Behavior Analysis Techniques, in Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing,
and is also Pro Act Certified.
Diana attended Foothill High School and graduated in 1997. She is also a graduate of California State Univeristy Bakersfield where she received her Bachelor's of Arts in Criminal Justice in 2005. She is currently enrolled at National University Bakersfield Campus, where she is working on obtaining her Masters of Arts in Special Education. |
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Melvin Thomas, BA, BCABA
is a Behavior Support Manager and School Psychologist Intern at VAC. He
received his B.A. in Psychology from Cal State University Bakersfield
in 2005. He is a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst (BCABA) and
has worked at VAC for over 5 years as an instructional aide in the Afterschool,
Basic Education, and Preschool programs before his current position. He
also supervised the Preschool program for 1.5 years. He has over 6000
hours of experience working directly with and supervising behavioral and
educational programs for 40+ individuals with Autism ranging from ages
3-22. He is currently working towards his M.S. in School Psychology from
National University, Bakersfield. |
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Teresa Swanson, BA was employed with Valley Achievement Center as an Instructional Aide for 3 years before her current position as a Behavioral Support Aide. Prior to working for Valley Achievement Center, Teresa worked for a home program instructing a preschool aged student with Autism for 1 year. She has specialized training in Toddler Speech and Language, Applied Behavior Analysis, TEACCH, Floor Time, and is Pro-Act (Professional Assault Crisis Training) certified. Teresa earned her A.A. in American Sign Language from Bakersfield Junior College in 2003, and her B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Bakersfield in 2006. She is currently in her second graduate year at National University, Bakersfield earning her M.S. in School Psychology with her ultimate goal to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
