APRIL DIAMOND
WONDER LAKE,IL
Summary
To obtain a full-time position that promotes intellectual and personal growth while utilizing skills relevant to my past work experience and education.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education -Related Arts Teacher Target Program
Woodstock School District 200
Woodstock, IL
08.2024 - Current
- Special Education - Art Teacher Clay Academy
- Special Education - Related Arts Teacher, Stem, Music, Art - Target Program
- Plan and implement daily curriculum for 1st through 5th grade for Art, Stem, and Music. Invent and write a curriculum based on students goals and general education curriculum to adapt to students differentiation levels of education. Implemented new ways of teaching my students varying subjects. Utilized various visual supports. Integrated and designed varying lesson plans to meet students' IEP goals at their level. Implemented token economies and rewards programs to reinforce behaviors. Crisis and behavior intervention plans. Autism Specialist.
Special Education Teacher/SAIL Program/1st-2nd.
Edgebrook Elementary School
McHenry, IL
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Plan and implement daily curriculum for 1st and 2nd-grade autism, implemented new ways of teaching my students, Benchmark phonics and ELA and Reveal math, Teachtown, SEL. Utilized various visual supports and independent workstations to assist with independent learning. Implemented group work to promote student interactions and active learning. Integrated and designed varying lesson plans to meet student's IEP goals at their level. Implemented token economies and rewards programs to reinforce behaviors. Crisis and behavior intervention plans. Write IEPs, participate in Meetings and BIP reviews, FBA data collection, Star Assessments, and QPA assessments.
Special Education Teacher/Support Specialist/Paraprofessional
School of Expressive Arts and Therapy
Woodstock, IL
10.2019 - 07.2023
- Plan and implement a daily curriculum for Elementary- Junior high students. Assist students in reaching their full potential through IEP goals. Teach daily curriculum, math, reading, Language Arts, science, and social studies. Goal tracking for IEP goals and Report Cards. Crisis Prevention Intervention. Correspondence with parents. Follow crisis and behavioral intervention. Daily ABA principles implemented into the classroom. Advisor for Earned Activity, CHOICE, and Lighting Squad. Teacher of the Year 21-22 and 22-23.
Job Coach/Employment Specialist
District 200, North High School
Woodstock, IL
11.2016 - 10.2019
- Assist students in the life skills programs with internships and employment within the community. Implement necessary interventions to promote vocational goal success. Work with Teachers, employers, and social workers to achieve student goals. Implement goals from student's IEP/504 into vocational goals. Records and reports to DRS. Assessment of skills for job placement, resume writing, cover letters, applications, and interviews.
Therapeutic Mentor/Community Support Service Professional/MHP
Pioneer Center
McHenry, IL
10.2010 - 04.2018
- Behavioral health/mental health/support services, assisted clients in obtaining Therapeutic/skills-building goals set forth by therapists and medical professionals. Communicate closely with the client's therapeutic team, mental health professionals, educators, and family to ensure the successful completion of goals. Individual and Group therapy support systems. Integrate services and support necessary to assist clients to achieve and maintain rehabilitative, resiliency, and recovery goals. Behavior and crisis intervention practices.
Job Coach/Employment Specialist/Manager
Goodwill of Northern Illinois
McHenry, IL
02.2016 - 11.2016
- Supervise ten employees at a time in the ticket-to-work program. Work with individual employees to overcome barriers and implement new strategies to implement personal growth. Prepare workstations and work with store staff to meet productivity needs. Report case notes and set employment goals. Assist employees with obtaining employment outside of the agency, assist with resumes, cover letters, and interviews. Connect with outside employers and agencies for placements.
Receptionist/Customer Service/ Dispatcher
Animal Control McHenry County
Crystal Lake, IL
09.2008 - 03.2011
- Receptionist/office assistant. Assist in adoptions/adoptions events/Microchip and vaccine events. Survey of adoption applications. Greeter/kennel help. Data Entry of licensing tags and customer information. Inventory and distribution of licensing tags to Vets. Assist in educating pet owners and the public regarding local ordinances and compliance regulations.
Employment Specialist/Job Placement Specialist
BE ON KEY
McHenry, IL
06.2002 - 02.2003
- Prepare resumes, mock interviews, and occupational therapy for employees with disabilities. Work directly with employers and human resources to obtain various occupations. Job coach/train/integrate accommodations to assist clients in obtaining their full potential within their specific job function.
Education
Master's - Special Education
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL01-2025
B.A. - Human Services
Columbia College
Crystal Lake, IL01-2020
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL01-2001
Skills
- Special Education Teacher (4-6th Grade, 1st Grade), Related Arts (Autism), Art Teacher (grade K-12) Lesson Plans, Goal Tracking, IEP, Crisis Intervention 1st-2nd Grade Teacher SAIL program
- Community Support Services, Therapeutic Mentor, MHP, Report writing Under Rule 132/DRS case notes/Treatment plans/Discharge
- Job placement Specialist/Job Coach/DRS case notes
- Administrative Assistant/Customer Service/Dispatch
- Billing/Estimating/Accounts receivables/Receivables
- Reception/Switchboard/Data entry
- CPI Certified, Child Welfare, Blood Borne Pathogens, Mandated reporter training, Autism Specialist
- Illinois State Certified Paraprofessional/Substitute License
- PEL - LBS1 K-22 proficiency
- Cross-curricular connections
Timeline
Special Education -Related Arts Teacher Target Program
Woodstock School District 200
08.2024 - Current
Special Education Teacher/SAIL Program/1st-2nd.
Edgebrook Elementary School
08.2023 - 05.2024
Special Education Teacher/Support Specialist/Paraprofessional
School of Expressive Arts and Therapy
10.2019 - 07.2023
Job Coach/Employment Specialist
District 200, North High School
11.2016 - 10.2019
Job Coach/Employment Specialist/Manager
Goodwill of Northern Illinois
02.2016 - 11.2016
Therapeutic Mentor/Community Support Service Professional/MHP
Pioneer Center
10.2010 - 04.2018
Receptionist/Customer Service/ Dispatcher
Animal Control McHenry County
09.2008 - 03.2011
Employment Specialist/Job Placement Specialist
BE ON KEY
06.2002 - 02.2003
B.A. - Human Services
Columbia College
Master's - Special Education
Western Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
Southern Illinois University