Interim Principal - YCCS West Town Academy - Chicago, Illinois
(2025-08)
- Drive the school's instructional approach using a competency-based curricular model, ensuring frequent integration of literacy and the arts.
- Ensuring all curriculum aligns with the YCCS Competency-Based Learning model and Illinois State Standards.
- Utilizing student assessment data (including standardized and portfolio assessments) to inform instructional strategies and drive continuous improvement.
- Emphasize the essential skills needed for post-secondary education and/or competitive employment, ensuring students develop technological literacy and career planning skills.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, including scheduling, facilities, and resource management.
- Ensure the school is in full compliance with all requirements from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and the YCCS network regarding academics, attendance, special education, and finance.
- Oversee the provision of services for diverse learners, ensuring proper documentation, IEP meetings, and individualized support.
- Monitor and manage student attendance, enrollment, and stabilization strategies, which are critical metrics in the alternative education setting.
- Lead the recruitment, supervision, evaluation, and professional development of all teaching and administrative staff, promoting cross-disciplinary training.
- Establish and maintain a positive, supportive, and safe school culture focused on social justice, community engagement, and personal responsibility.
- Ensure effective and timely communication with students, parents/guardians, the Greater West Town Community Development Project (the school's operator), and the broader community.
- Partner with students and families to help mobilize resources and inner capacity to address barriers to student success.
- Demonstrate experience, beliefs, and cultural sensitivity necessary to effectively serve the specific needs of an 'at-risk' student population.
- Oversee the integration of face-to-face and blended education models, ensuring individualized instruction helps each student achieve curricular objectives.
- Oversee the provision of social, emotional, and behavioral support, including individual and group counseling.
Assistant Principal - Proviso Area for Exceptional Children (SEJA 803) High School - Maywood, Illinois
(2024-08 - 2025-06)
- Assisted the Principal in the overall administration of the school, providing comprehensive, school-wide leadership specifically tailored to special education students and programs.
- Served as the school LEA supervising the provision of specially designed instruction and served as the authority to commit the district's resources (like approving a costly service or placement). As LEA, I was responsible for implementing federal and state education laws (like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and IDEA), managing the budget, and allocating resources to individual schools.
- Coordinating and conducting IEP meetings
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding special education programming and services.
- Conducted Classroom Observations, Teacher Evaluations, and Remediation Plans
- Contributed to maintaining a supportive and effective school climate that enhances student academic and non-academic success.
- Proposed and assisted in developing schedules of classes and extracurricular activities.
- Collaborated with department chairs and faculty to compile annual budget requests.
- Overseen and supervised the reporting and monitoring of student attendance; coordinated investigative follow-up actions with the attendance supervisor.
- Conducted safety inspections and safety drill practice activities.
- Establish and maintain a positive, supportive, and safe school culture focused on social justice, community engagement, and personal responsibility.
- Ensure effective and timely communication with students, parents/guardians, the Greater West Town Community Development Project (the school's operator), and the broader community.
- Partner with students and families to help mobilize resources and inner capacity to address barriers to student success.
- Demonstrate experience, beliefs, and cultural sensitivity necessary to effectively serve the specific needs of an 'at-risk' student population.
- Oversee the integration of face-to-face and blended education models, ensuring individualized instruction helps each student achieve curricular objectives.
- Oversee the provision of social, emotional, and behavioral support, including individual and group counseling.
Cross-Categorical English Teacher - Bolingbrook High School - Bolingbrook, Illinois
(2022-08 - 2024-06)
- Provided Cross-Categorical English instruction to 9th and 10th-grade students with diverse learning needs.
- Collaborated with colleagues in content area learning teams to align instruction and support school-wide initiatives.
- Served in key leadership roles, including Extended Day Credit Recovery Coordinator, Dean Shadowing Program Facilitator, Equity Cohort Facilitator, and Raider Academy Detention Supervisor
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher - Ulis Newton Elementary School, Clark County School District - Henderson, Nevada
(2021-10 - 2022-05)
- Provided and created specialized instruction in an Early Childhood Special Education setting, meeting the unique needs of young learners.
- Maintained all appropriate special education files and student records in compliance with district and state mandates.
- Monitored academic progress and maintained consistent, proactive communication with parents.
Special Education Resource Teacher - Joliet School District 86 - Sanchez Elementary School - Joliet, Illinois
(2019-08 - 2021-10)
- Delivered instruction in a split class setting for Second through Fifth grade students.
- Monitored and documented student progress on IEP goals and communicated results effectively to parents and IEP teams.
- Actively participated with colleagues in School Professional Learning Communities
Principal Clinical Internship - Lewis University-Tinley Park High School - Tinley Park, Illinois
(2018-09 - 2019-05)
- Participated in leadership experiences focused on standards-based, data-driven school administration pre-endorsement clinical experience.
- Completed various leadership duties and activities under the guidance of the school administration and Lewis University faculty supervisor.
Special Education Resource Teacher - EastAuroraSchoolDistrict131-ExtensionCampus/CowherdMiddleSchool - Aurora, Illinois
(2016-08 - 2018-09)
Cowherd Middle School – Delivered Language Arts/ ESL and Mathematics Resource instruction and school wide attendance team East Aurora Extension High School Campus – Delivered instructional content Monitored academic progress and communicate with parents Maintain all appropriate special education data including high school transitionplans.
Special Education Teacher (Temporary Position) - Alain Locke Charter School - Chicago, Illinois
(2015-11 - 2016-05)
- Planned and delivered instruction to students with Individual Education Plans
- Actively participate with colleagues in school professional learning teams
- Monitor academic progress and communicated with parents
- Maintain all appropriate special education files, and student records.
Special Education Teacher - Chicago Public Schools - Chicago, Illinois
(2008-08 - 2014-07)
Special Education Teacher-Alfred Nobel School Chicago Public Schools Special Education Teacher -Austin Polytechnical Academy- Chicago Public School Special Education Teacher-William Rainey Harper High School Chicago Public
- Planned and delivered instruction to students with Individual Education Plans
- Actively participate with colleagues in school professional learning teams
- Monitor academic progress and communicated with parents
- Maintain all appropriate special education files, and student records
Special Education Coordinator - Galapagos Charter School - Chicago, Illinois
(2007-08 - 2008-06)
- Actively collaborated with colleagues in school improvement activities, curriculum development, team and relationship building
- Maintained all appropriate special education files, Individual Education Plans, and records mandated by regulation and district policy
- Documented progress on academic and social-emotional goals and objectives
Special Education Advisor - High School for Recording Arts - St. Paul, Minnesota
(2006-02 - 2007-07)
Instruction of curriculum, class management and Due Process case management Facilitated a student produced documentary on youth homelessness in Minneapolis,Minnesota Created and implemented a school-wide, incentive based program.
Educational Consultant/ Fifth Grade Mathematics Teacher - Maxfield Magnet Elementary School St. Paul Public School District - St. Paul, Minnesota
(2004-02 - 2006-02)
Planned and delivered Instruction of mathematics curriculum standards for mathematics worked with students with English language learning needs Tailored learning plans and differentiated instruction when academic problems arose adjusted for students' learning needs.My students' Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment scores in math climbed 15% in 2004-2005.
Seventh Grade Social Studies Teacher - Spencer Math and Science Academy Chicago Public Schools - Chicago, Illinois
(2001-08 - 2003-06)
- Provided 7th Grade Social Studies
- Conducted third grade tutorials for the After School Lighthouse Program, Social Center and Summer School Bridge Program
