Hanna Rust

Compassionate, child-centered professional with a background in special education and extensive experience supporting children with complex medical, developmental, and emotional needs. Skilled in trauma-informed care, emotional regulation support, and creating developmentally appropriate interventions for children navigating foster care placement, medical complexity, and high-stress environments. Experienced collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including educators, nurses, therapists, and social service providers to promote safety, stability, and emotional well-being.

Deeply committed to advocacy, normalization of care experiences, and helping children feel secure, understood, and supported during vulnerable moments.

Preschool Special Education Teacher at Chicago Public Schools (2024-11 – Present)

Developed and implemented individualized education plans (IEPs) in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring alignment with each student's unique strengths, needs, and developmental goals.

• Developed and implemented individualized education plans (IEPs) in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, ensuring alignment with each student's unique strengths, needs, and developmental goals.
• Delivered differentiated instruction using evidence-based practices tailored to a variety of learning styles and developmental levels within an inclusive classroom setting.
• Utilized visual supports, adaptive technology, and sensory-friendly strategies to enhance engagement and promote independence in young learners with diverse abilities.
• Conducted ongoing formative assessments to track developmental milestones and adjust instruction in real-time, ensuring each child made measurable progress toward IEP goals.
• Mentored paraprofessionals and student aides by modeling best practices, providing feedback, and coordinating their roles in daily instruction and behavior support plans.
• Actively participated in school-based problem-solving teams and professional development workshops to stay current with research-based interventions and district policies.
• Employed and tailored the Creative Curriculum to cater to the diverse needs of students within self-contained classrooms, ensuring alignment with the Illinois Early Learning Standards.

Early Childhood Teacher, Self-Contained Preschool Classroom at Niles Township District for Special Education (2024-06 – 2024-07)

Facilitated small group instruction seamlessly integrated into center-based activities, ensuring personalized attention and targeted support for each student's learning needs.

• Facilitated small group instruction seamlessly integrated into center-based activities, ensuring personalized attention and targeted support for each student's learning needs.
• Demonstrated meticulous organization and preparation in curating materials essential for daily instruction, fostering an environment conducive to effective learning experiences.
• Consistently gathered and analyzed behavior and academic data, providing valuable insights to inform instructional strategies and interventions, thus promoting continuous student growth and development.
• Cultivated collaborative relationships with fellow staff members, fostering a positive and supportive work environment conducive to professional growth and collective efficacy.

Student Teacher, Self-Contained Preschool Classroom at Skokie 68 Early Childhood Center (2024-01 – 2024-05)

Employed and tailored the Creative Curriculum to cater to the diverse needs of students within self-contained classrooms, ensuring alignment with the Illinois Early Learning Standards.

• Employed and tailored the Creative Curriculum to cater to the diverse needs of students within self-contained classrooms, ensuring alignment with the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
• Engaged in daily collaboration with colleagues, paraprofessionals, and specialists to develop and implement individualized learning plans tailored to the unique needs of each student.
• Contributed to the collection of data for Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and actively participated in IEP meetings alongside the cooperating teacher.
• Provided valuable support to the cooperating teacher during parent-teacher conferences, fostering effective communication and engagement with families.
• Implemented comprehensive behavior intervention plans and meticulously collected behavior data to track progress and inform instructional strategies.
• Participated in bi-weekly team meetings with the cooperating teacher, classroom assistants, and support staff to review educational plans, analyze data collection, and address any classroom concerns or questions.
• Utilized Board maker to craft visually engaging materials and communication boards, enhancing accessibility and promoting effective communication within the learning environment.

Early Childhood Paraprofessional, Self-Contained Preschool Classroom at Niles Township District for Special Education (2023-06 – 2024-07)

Facilitated small group instruction seamlessly integrated into center-based activities, ensuring personalized attention and targeted support for each student's learning needs.

• Facilitated small group instruction seamlessly integrated into center-based activities, ensuring personalized attention and targeted support for each student's learning needs.
• Demonstrated meticulous organization and preparation in curating materials essential for daily instruction, fostering an environment conducive to effective learning experiences.
• Consistently gathered and analyzed behavior and academic data, providing valuable insights to inform instructional strategies and interventions, thus promoting continuous student growth and development.
• Cultivated collaborative relationships with fellow staff members, fostering a positive and supportive work environment conducive to professional growth and collective efficacy.
• Actively participated in school-based problem-solving teams and professional development workshops to stay current with research-based interventions and district policies.
• Employed and tailored the Creative Curriculum to cater to the diverse needs of students within self-contained classrooms, ensuring alignment with the Illinois Early Learning Standards.

Teacher Assistant and Substitute Teacher at Little Green Treehouse Daycare (2019-05 – 2019-09)

Played an integral role in aiding the lead teacher by meticulously preparing materials and seamlessly implementing lessons, ensuring smooth and effective delivery of instruction.

• Played an integral role in aiding the lead teacher by meticulously preparing materials and seamlessly implementing lessons, ensuring smooth and effective delivery of instruction.
• Provided invaluable support to children in both small group and one-to-one settings, delivering tailored and individualized instruction to meet diverse learning needs and foster academic growth.
• Demonstrated adeptness in supervising young children, actively facilitating social interactions and orchestrating enriching play experiences to promote holistic development and social-emotional learning.

Camp Counselor at Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (2014-06 – 2014-11)

Kept kids entertained with fun activities like arts and crafts, sports, games, and exciting field trips, all while making sure they stayed safe.

• Kept kids entertained with fun activities like arts and crafts, sports, games, and exciting field trips, all while making sure they stayed safe.
• Kept an eye on campers who needed extra help with social or recreational skills to make sure their parents were happy with their camp experience.
• Created a welcoming and safe environment where kids could have a blast and make lasting memories.

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in Early Childhood Education – Northeastern Illinois University (2024-05)

Early Childhood Special Education Approval in Special Education – National Lewis University (2024-06)