Neha Thakkar Email and Phone Number

Principal Consultant for Computer Science and Media LiteracyStandards and Instruction Department

Lead instructional technology integration into classrooms from implementation to renewal Device enrollment, rollout, troubleshooting and repair (JAMF, Google Admin, Apple, Lenovo support) Subscription Review with focus on compliance, security, and budgetEffectively communicate new technology systems Develop technology training for staff, students, and parents Budget management Operating systems and devices agnostic: can use any device, and used both Microsoft and Google apps for Education Database Administrator: PowerSchool Student Information System Schoology Learning Management SystemSeesaw Learning Management SystemClever Password Locker System JAMF Apple Device ManagementGoogle Admin ManagementUse, upkeep, training, and troubleshooting for: printers, myriad of devices (Chromebooks, Surfaces, MacBook Pros, iPads, etc.). NWEA MAP rostering, IAR, and other standardized testing support

Instructional Technology Coordinator School LibrarianLeadershipProfessional Development

Technology Responsibilities: PARCC Technology Coordinator and School Testing CoordinatorIntegrating technology for the school’s curricular and student needsUse, upkeep, training, and troubleshooting for: SMARTboards, iPads, printers, computersedLine Website implementation, basic and advance staff training (edline - part of Blackboard Website/MOOC hosting), November 2012 – August 2013Overview of ISBE and CPS University websites: How to Enter and Update CPDUs, June 2014.Teacher Responsibilities:Weekly information literacy and technology lesson plans, including Common Core State Standards, implementing and revising those lesson plans throughout the week, and making sure all activities are prepared with appropriate materials, etc. Collaboration and curriculum mapping with all grade levels Kindergarten through 5th gradeMember of Instructional Leadership Team (PPLC/ILT)Member of MTSS/RTI Team, concentration on Social Emotional LearningLibrarian Responsibilities Reorganization of the entire library, including weeding and inventoryCollection developmentBudget managementGeneral day to day (check in/ out, renew, shelving, shifting, etc.)Grant writing and other fundraisingDistrict wide Responsibilities:Presenter - variety of technology and librarian related topics. Facilitator, Illinois IB Schools Association Fall Teacher Roundtables 2013, Primary Years Programme Session: Collaboration in a PYP School; November 2013. Librarian Curriculum Content Curator, curated database items for 6th Grade Social Science units for the CPS Virtual Library and the CPS Social Science 3.0 Framework team, October 2013. Nominated and participated as a member of the Literacy and Language Instructional Materials Committee to choose the new literature and other instructional materials for the entire CPS district, focusing on grades Kindergarten – 8th, March 2013. International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Training, January 2013.

As part of my Framework Specialist work, I was asked to take over the Technology Integration Professional Development group. In this role, I am in charge of 5 other amazing teachers who are building a series of professional development sessions on integrating technology into their teaching. One series focuses on simply implementing technology, the next series focuses on using technology to assess and improve teaching quality overall.

To review the teacher evaluation framework, understand it deeply, advocate for its professional use, and to develop professional development materials to assist teachers in best practices in teaching and learning.

Teacher responsibilities – Weekly information literacy lesson plans for students in PreK – 5th grade, implementing and revising those lesson plans throughout the week, and making sure all activities are prepared with appropriate materials, etc. Also general classroom management – routines and procedures in the library and computer lab.Librarian responsibilities – Collection development, management, weeding, processing of all new and old books. Technology responsibilities - Training of teachers and teaching students a variety of software and websites, technology support in computer labs, upkeep of the school Media Center website (https://sites.google.com/site/jeffersonmediacenter/),

Direct Library Duties: Reference Work and Reader’s Advisory.Programming Duties: Story time, various educational programs for ages 0 – 13.

* Librarian responsibilities – Collection development, management, weeding, general day to day (check in/ out, renew, etc), maintaining order in the library (shelving, shifting, etc), processing of all materials. Grant writing and implementing grant responsibilities with money awarded.* Teacher responsibilities – Weekly information literacy lesson plans for students in preschool through 8th grade, implementing and revising those lesson plans throughout the week, and making sure all activities are prepared with appropriate materials, etc. Planning and implementing various school wide activities (family reading night, book fair, etc). Also general classroom management – routines and procedures in the library.* Grants awarded – Chicago Public School (CPS) Library Matching Grant 2007 – 2008 ($5000.00), CPS Library Matching Grant 2006 – 2007 ($5000.00), CPS Centralized Library Automation Preparation Grant 2008 ($2500.00)

Instrumental in selecting solution, after analyzing,; discussing, and ranking vendor proposals until the team recommendation went before the Board.

Direct Library Duties: Reference Work and Reader's Advisory.Programming Duties: Story time, various programs for ages 0 - 13. Supervisor Duties: Hiring and Firing shelvers. Evaluations for shelvers periodically.

Also filled in as the Public Relation Assistant

1 of 125 selected for the program from a nationwide search of over 2000 of the best and brightest teacher candidates. Teacher Aide for 8th; Responsible for teaching lessons, grading homework, and assessing students. Also participated in professional development seminars.

In charge of many groups of ESL students by: supplementing reading and math lessons, focusing on phonics, reading comprehension and math basics, 2 days a week, and assessed for the entire year.