Elizabeth Powell Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago

Direct special education instructional priorities for the district, manage a team of 20 Special Education Administrators, and coordinate support for district schools- Identify root causes of instructional inequity for students with disabilities throughout diverse communities in Chicago Public Schools - Develop strategic plan proportionate to team capacity and resources to prioritize team activities and ensure maximum impact in the form of increased achievement, access, equity, inclusion, opportunity, and unity for students with disabilities- Research, author, and update an evidence-based handbook on instructional best practices in special education intervention in inclusive schools to act as common reference and guidance - Establish and maintain a system for efficient communication, project management, and progress monitoring of priorities for a team that works autonomously throughout the city to establish ongoing collaboration and accountability between bi-weekly team meetings- Structure team to utilize individual strengths, interests, and passions to leverage talent, promote cross-training, distribute leadership, and create inter-reliability among members - Standardize protocols for routine activities to build equity for students and eliminate adult preference variables by fixing technical practices, including professional development norms and checklists - Foster critical partnerships with school and district leaders through strategic collaboration, thoughtful partnership, and addressing adaptive challenges including combating cultures of low expectations through careful conversations around intentions vs. impact

Chicago, Illinois

Managed the improvement of student outcomes in 40 elementary and high schools through staff development, structural analysis, systems design, and interdepartmental collaboration- Supported development of Continuous Work Improvement Plans at school and network level- Created and progress monitored network strategic plans based on SMART goals- Analyzed district, network, and school-level data to identify trends, needs, and opportunities- Developed, delivered, and reflectively improved adult learning to drive student achievement- Increased the access of students with disabilities to general education environments- Coordinated and implemented team and individual coaching on best practice for struggling learners, challenging behavior, social emotional learning, and community development

Greater Chicago Area

Chicago, Il

Create and implement individual education plans for students with disabilities; Support and motivate students to make significant academic and behavioral growth in an inclusive Blue Ribbon school; Lead professional development, train and supervise paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers; Acquired and pioneered use of $30,000 iPad grant to individualize instruction and increase access to technology, and $2,000 Whole Foods grant to build an edible community garden on school grounds

Chicago, Il

Performed legal research, drafted memorandums, briefed and supported Judge and staff in the Chancery Court on cases involving corporate, insurance, administrative, tax, employment, health and labor law

Chicago, Il

Researched and composed weekly briefs on legal developments in disability, education, employment discrimination, tort law, and civil rights to support publication of articles, books, and treatises

Brooklyn, Ny

Taught pilot class in a specialized, inclusive classroom for students with autism spectrum disorders as a partner in the ASD Nest Program, a special initiative of the NYC Board of Education; Guided students in making an average of 2.5 years of growth in reading in a single school year; Helped develop a social skills curriculum; Acted as a lead teacher in math; Selected as a teacher liaison to develop the first ASD Nest middle school program; Led professional development in reading, math, and behavior supports

New York City, Ny

Designed communication and marketing materials for various corporate clients; Work displayed on The Today Show and in Designing for Social Good (textbook)

Served as the communications coordinator VISTA for Habitat for Humanity–NYC; Created development materials to facilitate fundraising and volunteer recruitment; Acted as press contact

J.D., Cum Laude, Law

Activities and Societies: Ranked in Top 10%; Member, DePaul Law Review; Dean’s List; Recipient: Illinois Women’s Bar Foundation.

M.S., Education

Activities and Societies: New York City Teaching Fellow (2006-2008); AmeriCorps Service Scholarship Recipient (2007)

B.S., Imaging Technology And Design

B.A., Business