Experience

Lake Forest Country Day School

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Junior Kiindergarten Teacher

  • Aug 2020 - Present

• Preschool Teacher

  • Mar 2014 - Aug 2020

• Director of Extended School Program

  • Jun 2014 - Mar 2015



LMP Publishing

• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Author & Publisher, “A Special Friend”, Opening Up Conversations About Kids with Special Needs

  • Jul 2012 - Present

  Wrote the book from the point of view of a child with special needs (all the illustrations were created by my third grade student with autism spectrum disorder); the book had discussion guides in the back for teachers and parents to use when opening up conversations about kids with special needs; furthermore, the discussion guides allowed adults to customize conversations based on what any particular child might be struggling with; and even helps explain why some kids see a resource teacher, reading teacher, or speech teacher Awards • Reader’s Choice Award Winner of children’s book about kids with special needs Newspaper / Magazine Articles • Educator Turns to Writing, Daily Herald • Fox Teacher Writes Book for Key Audience, Lake Zurich Courier • “Someone You Should Know”, Chicago Parents Magazine • Making Connections, Glenview Journal • Teaching Children About Autism, Glenview Journal • Special Needs Book Makes Waves, Lake Zurich Courier Television Appearances • Chicago’s Very Own, WGN • WGN 11 AM News • Windy City Live, ABC • Interview with ABC-7, Karen Meyer • Interview with Kim Vadas, NBC-5 Show less



Lake Zurich CUSD 95

• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Special Education: Pre-K Teacher - Blended Pre-K Little Leaders Program

  • Aug 2013 - Jun 2014

  • Assisted in launching the Blended Pre-K program which included developmentally appropriate activities in literacy, language, science, social studies, math, health and safety, art and music to satisfy the district’s goals, as well as meet requirements outlined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) following Part B of the act’s Services for School-Aged Children which mandates that public schools, districts and the Illinois State Board of Education are to be held responsible for addressing the needs of children with disabilities in an environment that will result in their ability “to participate in school and the community as productive citizens” • Prepared differentiated instruction/lessons to accommodate the different learning styles of the students, ensuring that the students will be working on specific areas of need as dictated by their IEPs • Structured classroom environment to encourage individualization, concentration, independence, and positive peer interaction; focused on social skills and social interaction with the student…a very important aspect of preschool; so not only do the students have play opportunities and the academic experiences, but they also have the opportunity to build those important social skills, utilizing “Creative Curriculum” to teach students, a way to have fun and be engaged while learning in the classroom • Promoted active parent/teacher involvement to encourage students’ success in both home and school, as well as through collaboration with social workers, occupational therapists, school psychologist, speech pathologist, teachers, and administrators Show less



Lake Zurich CUSD 95

• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Special Education: 3rd Grade Teacher

  • Aug 2009 - Jun 2013

  • Taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in instructional (self-contained) classroom environment; team taught Science • Wrote student IEPs and benchmarks as well as administered ISAT and MAP tests; initiated differentiated curricula to meet various readiness levels, addressed the social and emotional needs of the students and for students who exhibited either deficits or delays in acquisition of learning • Strove to create a nurturing and supportive environment for students to gain trust in the educational process and put faith in themselves as learners Show less



Lake Zurich CUSD 95

• Primary and Secondary Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Special Education: 2nd Grade Teacher

  • Aug 2006 - Jun 2009

  • Taught in a 2nd grade classroom, responsible for lesson planning and teaching Reading, Math, Social Studies and Science • Employed a variety of instructional techniques and media consistent with the needs, capabilities and interests of the students utilizing a multiple intelligence approach to accommodate different learning styles, which included literature circles, guided reading, cooperative group activities, student choice projects, and active engagement simulations • Taught math utilizing “hands-on” manipulative teaching methods • Participated in parent/teacher conferences and team meetings • Launched a Reading program with a certified therapy dog and a retired Chicago Public School Teacher, which was recognized for the program on Oprah’s Favorite Things final season Show less