April L. Price, Ed.D
Summary
An industrious educator with proven expertise in teaching, curriculum development, program development, and data driven results, with emphasis on special education. Strengths include, collaborating with teams to design inclusive planning and teaching, and creating favorable learning environments for students and teachers. I have a demonstrated ability to establish meaningful partnerships with community institutions. The professional goal is to be a systematic change agent in administrative practice as well as educational policy. The hope is that there will be a positive impact the lives of young diverse learners in a local, state and national setting with the philosophy of educating the whole child, beyond their needs to build their confidence to be independent learners in everything they do.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Instructional Coach
Jane A. Neil Elementary School
08.2023 - Current
- Lead an assigned portfolio of teachers to build their skills in pursuit of goals for improved practice and improved student outcomes.
- Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) Leader, meeting regularly with the principal to discuss progress, strategize next steps, align support, and grow as a leader.
- Facilitate regular meetings and conduct classroom observations for portfolio teachers
- Meet weekly with the principal and/or AP to keep them updated on work with teachers and students.
- Model or co-teach lessons to aid teacher development, provide small group instruction as needed to help students progress
- Support/Design instructional process elements (lesson planning, large-group instruction, small-group instruction, individual interventions, data analysis, grading, etc.) among team of teachers based on teacher strengths, content knowledge, and professional development goal
- Performing other related duties as assigned
Instructional Leadership Team Member
Burnside Academy
01.2021 - Current
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
- Worked closely with administrative team to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
- Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
- Collaborated with administrative team to develop and assess the goals of school's Continuous Improvement Work Plan.
Brown Girl Magic Organizer
Chicago Public Schools Burnside Scholastic Academy
01.2017 - Current
- Organized self-awareness and empowerment SEL program Brown Girl Magic for girls in 6th -8th grades
- Provide mentorship and social emotional foundations for minorities girls in an urban school district
- Partnered with Developing Burnside Academy Annual All Girl Step Show - Successfully, while networking with other schools in the district
- Created partnerships across Network 12, with Brown Girl Magic, attending various events such as Girl Talk - Empowerment conference, Feed my Starving Children and Food Tasting.
Elmer's Kids Foundation
01.2014 - Current
- Partner with Diverse Learning Team at Burnside to raise funds to support special education students with uniforms for Special Olympics Activities
- Special Olympics Coach
- Assisted in organizing Annual Elmer's Kids Foundation Fundraiser at Bourbon Street, raising over $7000 for special education students
- Assist in developing partnerships with Chicago Fire Department and other organizations to sponsor students.
Diverse Learning Teacher
Chicago Public Schools, Burnside Academy
01.2012 - Current
- Differentiated and adapted curriculum materials for students enrolled in inclusion and self-contained settings grades K-8
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Prioritized data-driven instruction during SY19 resulting in 92% of self-contained 6-8th grades students making growth, during remote learning
- Create and monitor student growth plans based on implemented Individualized Educational Plans
- Coordinate and participate in Special Olympics statewide
- Collaborate, as diverse learning specialist, with middle school teachers on aligning curriculum with Common Core/DLM continuum and supported with differentiated activities
- Co-planned and Co-led opening Monthly PD around instruction, schedules, diverse learner support, remote learning, and engaging educational platforms that promote student achievement, Co-planned and Co-led opening Monthly PD around instruction, schedules, diverse learner support, remote learning, and engaging educational platforms that promote student achievement
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Collaborate with middle school teachers to create Conservatory; providing enrichment such as Drama, Newspaper, Math Teams and Etiquette classes to grades 6th-8th during school day.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
Supervisor
Greater Mount Pleasant, Dance Ministry
01.2005 - Current
- Supervise a co-ed team of dancers ages 2-21
- Choreograph monthly dances to be presented during worship service
- Organize fundraisers and recitals
- Arrange trips for cultural experience.
Consulting Special Education Teacher
Chicago Public Schools CPS
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze teacher performance data and success plans with colleagues.
- Conducted classroom observations to provide constructive feedback for teachers successfully address development plans.
- Designed targeted actions plans for specific instructional areas for teachers.
Course Facilitator
Kaplan University
01.2007 - 09.2011
- Facilitated orientation sessions with adult learners engaging in undergraduate and graduate programs for the University through online facilitation
- Clarify university policies and program information
- Grade homework and respond to discussion boards on a weekly basis in the orientation course to ensure students are acclimated to the Kaplan system.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
Education
Doctor of Education - Special Education
Northcentral University
San Diego, CA11.2021
MASTERS OF ARTS - Special Education
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ11.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL05.2001
Skills
- Instructor Mentoring
- Instructional Strategies
- Instructional Leadership
- Student Retention
- Positive Reinforcement Strategies
- Team Teaching and Collaboration
- Multi-Subject Instruction
- Diverse Student Populations
- Instructional Techniques
- Learning Modalities
- Diversity and Inclusion
Accomplishments
- Illinois Professional Educator License
- Illinois PEL Endorsements:
- Learning Behavior Specialist (PreK - 22)
Additional Information
- Lead grant writer and recipient of recurring annual $5,000 grant to support Brown Girl Magic, a SEL program designed to create self-awareness and empowerment for girls in 6th -8th grades.
- Lead Diverse Learning Educator NoVo Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Education First, SEL Innovation Award
- Ford Freedom Unsung: Teacher Heroes of COVID Recipient of $1100 grant from Ford Motor Company in collaboration with Rainbow Push for going above and beyond to educate students, despite the challenges of virtual learning and other challenges during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Timeline
Lead Instructional Coach
Jane A. Neil Elementary School
08.2023 - Current
Instructional Leadership Team Member
Burnside Academy
01.2021 - Current
Consulting Special Education Teacher
Chicago Public Schools CPS
01.2019 - 01.2021
Brown Girl Magic Organizer
Chicago Public Schools Burnside Scholastic Academy
01.2017 - Current
Elmer's Kids Foundation
01.2014 - Current
Diverse Learning Teacher
Chicago Public Schools, Burnside Academy
01.2012 - Current
Course Facilitator
Kaplan University
01.2007 - 09.2011
Supervisor
Greater Mount Pleasant, Dance Ministry
01.2005 - Current
Doctor of Education - Special Education
Northcentral University
MASTERS OF ARTS - Special Education
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Illinois At Chicago