August 2014 - Present
Principal, Riddle Elementary School
Mattoon, Illinois

Led instructional, curricular, and assessment operations for a 95-member staff. Oversaw daily functioning of elementary school building with 780 students in Preschool through fifth grade.  Analyzed practices and beliefs, led collaborative change and ongoing improvement through partnerships with educators, families, students, and community members.

August 2013 - Present
Adjunct Professor, Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Planned, instructed, and assessed student work in courses related to Common Core State Standards, balanced assessment, assessment literacy, and curriculum. Students included current and pre-service teachers as well as administrators.

August 2010 – Present
National Teaching Consultant MAX Teaching

Presented training on MAX Teaching with Reading and Writing Strategies in various school districts in Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois.  Provided embedded coaching for teachers on implementation of strategies.  Provided in-house workshops for MCUSD staff members on MAX Teaching strategies.
 

April 2010 – Present
District Response to Intervention Coordinator Mattoon CUSD #2
Mattoon, Illinois

Facilitated district-wide benchmark assessments and data analysis trainings.  Interviewed and hired Building Response to Intervention Coordinators.  Worked with elementary and secondary educators to implement research-based best practices in reading and writing instruction, including MAX Reading strategies.  Attended Building Response to Intervention Committee meetings and led District Response to Intervention Committee meetings.  Reported student progress to district administrators. Trained Building Coordinators in the use and training of Discovery Assessment.

August 2009 – Present
Assistant Principal Mattoon Middle School
Mattoon, Illinois Curriculum & Assessment & Williams Elementary

Assisted in the recruitment, interviewing, supervision, and evaluation of certified and classified employees.  Facilitated the creation and implementation of the building School Improvement Plan.  Assisted teams in the development of SMART Goals and monitored team progress toward meeting those goals.  Led a team to redesign Advisory in accordance with middle level best practices.  Assisted in the coordination of long-range planning of in-service activities, faculty meetings, and Team Leader meetings.  Assisted the district Curriculum Director with the long-range planning and implementation of the curriculum.  Served as a committee member in K-5 and 6-12 Language Arts Textbook Adoption and Curriculum Revision processes.  Collaborated with other leaders to develop a schedule to facilitate learning.  Coordinated the ordering, collection, and distribution of textbooks and supplemental materials. Facilitated the implementation of all assessments, including local district assessments, academic and behavioral screeners, and state tests.  Monitored and interpreted data from all assessments and worked with staff to apply the information.  Made recommendations for instructional adjustments based on data analysis.  Worked with staff to develop an awareness of data analysis and ways to use the information in instruction.  Approved expenditure requests for the Stretch Time after school program.  Assisted in the development of the building budget. Maintained attendance records and lines of communication with teams and families regarding attendance.    Facilitated the assembly and distribution of the student handbook and planner.  Responded to discipline referrals and worked with students and families through the PBIS philosophy.  

August 2006 – 2009
Teacher Moulton Middle School
Shelbyville, Illinois Fifth Grade & Seventh Grade English

Provided staff in-servicing for literacy-related instruction.  Assisted with alignment of Language Arts curriculum. Member of School Improvement Team. Formed and worked with literacy task force to select new language arts materials.  Partnered with Eastern Illinois University for student practicum and student teaching assignments.  Created, evaluated, implemented, and differentiated instruction for various groups of students and staff. Worked as Response to Intervention Committee member.

August 2005 – 2006
Teacher Fox Ridge Elementary
St. Charles, Illinois Fifth Grade

Developed grade-level literacy scope and sequence in accordance with the Illinois Assessment Framework for Reading.  Assisted colleagues in development of literacy centers and book club development as presented in various literacy research.  Partnered with Judson College for student practicum.  Collaborated with students, parents, staff, and administration for the promotion of literacy instruction and Character Counts.

August 2004 - 2005
Teacher Mason Middle School
Mason, Ohio Eighth Grade

Developed classroom-specific, standards-based curriculum for diverse eighth grade students.  Aligned student-centered curriculum to state standards, created authentic assessments and learning experiences.  Worked with parents, administration, and students to promote academic success. Led group of students on study abroad trip to London and Paris.  Partnered with University of Miami for student practicum.  Established community service program.

August 2003 – 2004
Teacher & Administrative Intern Lincoln Elementary School
Plainfield, Illinois Third Grade

Assisted with opening new elementary building as a teacher and administrative intern.  Interviewed teaching assistant and teaching candidates, evaluated veteran and novice teachers, contributed research-based information to School Improvement Team.  Created and taught numerous staff development presentations, including Writing, Illinois Standards Achievement, and Literacy Centers.  Created literacy centers and teamed with other teachers to promote effective instruction.  Differentiated instruction, implemented, and evaluated progress for third grade team.  Designed and coordinated large projects to showcase student inquiry and standards-based projects, involving parents, the community, and staff.  Disaggregated standardized test data and presented findings to staff in order to inform instruction.  Created staff handbook.

January 2001 – August 2003
Teacher; 3, 6-8 Grades Taft Elementary School
Lockport, Illinois Middle School Language Arts Teacher & Department Chair

Instructor and curriculum coordinator for Language Arts.  Implemented student-centered classroom strategies, including major research projects, authentic public speaking opportunities, shared learning, and standard-based instruction.  Utilized student portfolios to demonstrate growth over time to both parents and students.  Contributing member of School Improvement Team.

June – July 2002
Summer School Coordinator & Teacher Taft Elementary School
Lockport, Illinois Taft Elementary School

Created curriculum for K-7 remediation and enrichment programs, designed scheduling, enrollment, and budget.  Instructed and assessed remedial Math and Language Arts.

February 2015
Teacher Voices Achieve the Core
Chicago, Illinois Advance Illinois

February 2015
Text Complexity Review
Chicago, Illinois PARCC

May & August, 2014
Literacy Coach and Consultant
Atlanta, Georgia MAX Teaching with Reading and Writing

November 16-17, 2013
Core Advocate Team Member
Chicago, Illinois Student Achievement Partners

October 11, 2013
Teacher Voices Video Project
Chicago, Illinois Common Core Communications Collaborative

October 10-11, 2013
Educator Leadership Cadre Meeting
Chicago, Illinois PARCC & NMSI

July 2013
PARCC Educator Item Reviewer
Orlando, Florida Pearson and ETS

October 2012
“Sure-Fire Methods for Teaching Literacy across the Curriculum”
Peoria, Illinois Illinois Principals Association

August 2012 – Present
Illinois Educator Leadership Cadre Member for PARCC
National Math and Science Initiative and PARCC

August 2012
Educator Leadership Institute Participant
Bloomington, Illinois Illinois Leaders Collaborative

April 2012
Connecting Teaching Strategies to the Common Core (MAX)
Chicago, Illinois International Reading Association Conference Presenter

March 2012
Guest Lecture - Senate Bill 7
Decatur, Illinois Eastern Illinois University Outreach Course

March 2012
“What Really Works in the Classroom?” 
St. Charles, Illinois Illinois Connections Conference Presenter

November 2011
Transitioning from ILS to CCSS
Cumberland, Illinois Presentation with Dr. Skocy, MCUSD 2 Asst. Superintendent

January 2011
Common Core State Standards Consultant
Charleston, IL & Mattoon, IL Regional Office of Education #11

January 2011 - Present
MAX Teaching Consultant
Oklahoma City, OK; Breckinridge Cty, KY; Little Rock, AR

December 2010
MAX Teaching with Reading and Writing Consultant
Charleston, IL Regional Office of Education #11

December 2010
Crosswalk Between Common Core and Illinois State Standards
Springfield, IL Illinois State Board of Education Language Arts Committee

December 2010
Guest Lecture for Educational Leadership Candidates 
Charleston, IL Eastern Illinois University

November 2010
MAX Teaching with Reading and Writing Consultant
Mattoon, Illinois Regional Office of Education #11

October 2010
Understanding the Common Core State Standards
Regional Workshop Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education 

August 2010
Aligning Writing Curriculum Consultant
Arcola, Illinois K-8 Grades

July 2010
Illinois Standards Achievement Test Validation Committee
Bloomington, Illinois Reading Assessment Question Committee

May 2010
Illinois Alternative Assessment Validation Committee
Bloomington, Illinois Reading Assessment Question Committee

December 2009
Illinois Standards Achievement Test Writing
Charleston, Illinois Regional Office of Education #11

October – December 2009
Writing Alignment and Curriculum Writing
Charleston, Illinois 7-8 Grades

September 2009
Back-to-School Writing Workshop Coordinator & Presenter
Regional Conference K-12 Grades

October 2009
Using PBIS to Change School Culture
Charleston, Illinois Regional Institute Day

July 2009 Eastern
Illinois Writing Project Inservice Coordinator & Consultant
Charleston, Illinois Eastern Illinois University

August 2009
Writing Alignment Curriculum Work
Sullivan, Illinois K-5 Grades

September – December 2008
Writing Alignment Curriculum Work
Sullivan, Illinois 6-8 Grades

July 2008
Eastern Illinois Writing Project Fellow & Teaching Consultant
Charleston, Illinois Eastern Illinois University

June 2008
ISAT Writing Course Instructor, Grades 3,5,6, & 8
Charleston, Illinois Regional Office of Education #11

December 2007 – Present
ISAT Writing Validation Committee Member
Springfield, Illinois Illinois State Board of Education

October 2007
“The Writer’s Workshop” 
Charleston, Illinois ROE 11 Fall Classic Institute

March 2006 – 2009
Illinois New Teacher Collaborative Committee Member
Springfield, Illinois

March 2006
Double Session Presenter for Reading Instruction
Springfield, Illinois Illinois Reading Convention

October 2006
“Enhancing Motivation and Comprehension through Book Clubs”
Charleston, Illinois ROE 11 Fall Classic Institute 

October 2006
“Success with Extended Response”
Charleston, Illinois ROE 11 Fall Classic Institute

January 2005
State Institute for Reading Instruction (SIRI)
Regional School Improvement Team Adolescent Literacy Development

February 2004
Writing Consultant
Okaw Valley & Plainfield School Districts K-12 Staff Development

October 2003
Writing Consultant
Findlay, Illinois K-12 Staff Development 

September 2003
“Reading First” Instructor – Second Grade Module
Joliet, Illinois Illinois State Board of Education & U.S. Dept. of Education

June 2003
“Reading First” Instructor – First Grade Module
Joliet, Illinois Illinois State Board of Education & U.S. Dept. of Education

February 2003
Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports Presenter
Chicago, Illinois No Child Left Behind Conference

July 2002
“Meeting the Challenge” Instructor
Joliet, Illinois Illinois State Board of Education

Moulton Middle School Cheerleading Coach – State Champions 2007-2009
Moulton Middle School Show Choir Director 2006-2009
Illinois Association of Student Councils Senior Counselor 2006-2009
Moulton Middle School Yearbook Advisor 2006-2007
Moulton Middle School Student Council Advisor 2006-2007
Mason Middle School Study Abroad Leader with ACIS 2004-2005
Mason Middle School Dance Coach 2004-2005
Mason Middle School Yearbook Advisor 2004-2005
Taft School Junior High Boys’ Volleyball Coach 2001-2003
Taft School Piano Accompanist 2003

• Illinois Association of School Administrators Moon Scholar 2015
• Eastern Illinois University “Rising Star” Award 2012
• Eastern Illinois University Student Senator 2000-2001
• Art History & English Study Abroad Participant 2000
• Eastern Illinois University Homecoming Queen 2000
• EIU Tour Guide, Orientation Leader, Student Ambassador 1999-2001
• Eastern Illinois University Continuing Student Scholar 1998, 2000, 2001
• Pan Hellenic Council Vice President of Recruitment/Retention 1998-2000
• Eastern Illinois University Talented Student Award 1997
• Sullivan Educator Association Scholarship Winner 1997
• Valedictorian Sullivan High School 1997