- Planning and implementing person-centered recreation and social activities to serve over 500 people annually of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities- Recruiting, hiring, training and managing 8 direct reports and a team of over 25 full-time and part-time employees- Creating policies and procedures to ensure all programs are safe and efficient - Budgeting department expenses and maintaining projection and reconciliation systems for all programs and events. - Networking and collaborating with self advocates, residential agencies, school districts, families, and various community partners to assess the needs and challenges to develop innovative program opportunities throughout the Chicagoland area- Developing strategic initiatives to quantify the agency’s mission impact and program specific quality assurance

- Planned and implemented recreation and social programs for children, teens, and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities - Coordinated transportation for members participating in programs throughout the Chicago suburbs- Reconciled program budgets and advocated for annual needs of members- Developed and adapted resources based on individual skills and abilities and enabled members to participate regardless of diagnosis or barriers- Established cooperative working relations with parents, community agencies, and organizations- Supervised and evaluated a team of 7-10 direct reports and contributed to the daily supervision of up to 30 part-time instructors

- Facilitated community excursions for adults using a person-centered philosophy- Supervised activity instructors in the community and during on-site programs- Planned and implemented weekly program for adults encouraging member participation to develop innovative course offerings

- Implemented and led group activities for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities - Developed and adapted activities based on ability and interest of participants- Established cooperative working relations with parents, community agencies, and partner organizations- Assessed and resolved potential problems quickly and on-site- Guided daylong trips in the community that fostered learning, growth, and entertainment

- Implemented all aspects of the existing balanced literacy program, including Reading Workshop methods of read aloud, shared reading, mini-lessons, guided reading groups, and literature study- Skilled in positive classroom management strategies of Teach Like a Champion 2.0 by Doug Lemov, with particular proficiency in No Opt Out, 100%, Positive Framing, Strong Voice, and Circulation- Actively participated in training for one full academic year at The Chicago Academy under the supervision of a nationally board certified mentor teacher and led three full takeover experiences for a total of 5 weeks - Independently planned, co-planned, and implemented a variety of units in 5th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies - Taught a heterogeneous classroom, scaffolding instruction for special education students and students with language learning needs in the ELL program- Instructed a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse school population

- Planned, developed, and instructed interactive and stimulating physical, emotional, and cognitive activities for Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living residents- Adapted programs and environment for the needs and interests of diverse residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia - Improved residents’ daily living and quality of life by promoting resident socialization, increased physical activities, and expanding offerings specified to residents’ personal interests- Supervised volunteers and overflow nursing staff for on-site programs and community outings

- Coordinated and supervised annual gala volunteers- Solicited gifts for silent auction from local and national businesses and community partners- Researched and communicated with applicable community partners to update and enrich website content- Contributed articles to quarterly publications and edited under-cover investigative video coverage- Conducted database maintenance and updated incoming gifts and membership processes - Coordinated and supervised annual gala volunteers

- Identified and cataloged species into a new database system- Aided environmental education classes and tours for children and adults- Performed weekly biological testing to report bird and alligator populations for policy analysis- Fieldwork identification and extraction of invasive species

- Researched standards to collect and report according to new protocols as primary reporters to CA Climate Registry- Assisted in hydrogeology investigations and data collection to report to public and private sector clients- Analyzed data and assisted in presenting to various petroleum and petrochemical projects throughout the United StatesNational Environmental Trainers Inc “Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response” 40 Hr