Saint Agnes has a Resource Program led by a full-time resource director, Dr. Terri Eichner, who is available to confer with teachers, parents, and students in academic matters.
Meet our Resource Teachers
Dr. Terri Eichner
Terri Eichner has been a teacher at St. Agnes School for the past 19 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Marywood College in Scranton, PA. and then her Master’s Degree and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park. She holds a current postgraduate professional license and teaching certification through the Commonwealth of Virginia. She recently received her Graduate Certificate in Special Education and is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Marymount University. She also holds an Advanced Catechist Certification in the Arlington Diocese. In 2011, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Special Needs Teacher of the Year of the Diocese of Arlington. Prior to her career at St. Agnes School she taught or directed educational programs at the University of Maryland, Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Georgetown University Medical Center. Her three daughters, are all graduates of St. Agnes School and the University of Virginia.
Ms. Amanda Fallon
Amanda is currently our 5th-7th grade resource teacher. She received her Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is currently working towards completing her Masters Degree in Special Education at Marymount University. She has been working at St. Agnes since 2010 when she started as the Extended Day Director and eventually transitioned to a full-time Resource position. Amanda has completed both the Comprehensive and Intermediate Orton-Gillingham training sessions and she continues to pursue and attend professional development in her area. Amanda is a huge Washington Nationals fan and enjoys going to games with her family and friends!
Mrs. Jordan Bradley
Mrs. Jordan Bradley has been a teacher at St. Agnes for ten years. Her first two years were spent teaching first grade and the most recent years she has been working as the Primary Resource Teacher. Mrs. Bradley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Youngstown State University in Ohio. Before coming to St. Agnes in 2012, she taught Kindergarten for six years in Montgomery County. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Bradley also works as a CrossFit coach, a personal trainer and a swim coach for the Army Navy Country Club summer swim team.
The resource program offers:
- individual and small-group academic remediation and enrichment
- in-classroom instructional assistance and accommodations
- standardized testing accommodations
- referrals to public school and private academic evaluators, when necessary
Academic instruction includes the use of multisensory strategies and learning activities to engage students of various learning levels and academic capabilities to achieve success and excel in the classroom. Instructional lessons are delivered with the use of short-throw projectors, online learning resources including Lexia Reading Program and IXL Math Program, Brainpop, Flocabulary, Kahoot, Quizlet, and numerous other interactive learning websites. Classroom teachers employ differentiated learning strategies including direct instruction, flexible grouping, guided reading groups, cooperative learning centers, Orton-Gillingham Multisensory reading instruction, science laboratory experiments, and hands-on math activities using physical and virtual manipulatives. Teachers work in instructional teams which encourage cross-curricular opportunities.
Technological resources include use of iPads and chrome books in every classroom. Some students receive specialized equipment such as pencil grips, sensory tools, active seating cushions/chairs, fidgets, visual timers, under- desk cycles, audiobooks, speech to text software, and electronic graphic organizers. An extra set of textbooks are sometimes provided for use at home. Teachers are very aware of the special learning needs of students, and individual attention is provided to support student achievement.
St. Agnes School works diligently with parents to ensure that students receive the extra attention and care they need to be successful. Student Assistance Plans (SAPs) including accommodations are written for students with special learning needs as documented through private evaluations. Parents, teachers, and school resource teachers also frequently work with Arlington County Public Schools resource personnel to develop, implement, and update Service Plans as provided through the public school system.
