Colleen Springer Lopez
Summary
Detail-oriented, organized, and dependable individual with a positive attitude and exceptional communication, teaching, and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently. Recognized for taking a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives. Brings fresh perspective and strong commitment to high quality institutional and instructional practices leading to successful student outcomes. Recognized for adaptability and proactive approach in delivering effective solutions.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Developmental Skills Training Specialist/Student Learning Lab Supervisor
SIU Achieve Program for Neurodiverse Students
08.2023 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations in the student lab.
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered belonging, equity, respect, and employee engagement.
- Screened, hired, trained, and coached mentor-tutors.
- Assessed additional needs based on training progress and collaborated with management to meet requirements.
- Assisted in payroll duties.
- Tutored and mentored students.
- Managed a small caseload of students.
- Worked in collaboration with case management team.
- Developed new programming for students and staff to enhance resource awareness and access to information.
- Edited newsletter, attended admissions fairs and new student orientations, traveled to recruit for the program.
- Sat on the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Community Engagement (DEICE) Committee 2023-2025.
- Participated in several leadership and mental health trainings.
Founder, Executive Director, Artistic Director, Grantwriter, Project Coordinator
Southern Illinois Culture & Art in Bilingual Education (NFP)
07.2011 - 05.2025
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered creativity, innovation, and engagement by all stake holders.
- Created the organization's mission and vision statements.
- Maximized access to cultural and artistic programming by carefully managing budget allocations.
- Navigated organization through regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance with all governmental standards.
- Developed strong partnerships with other businesses, organizations, and agencies to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.
- Led the strategic planning process.
- Guided team members through periods of change by providing clear communication on expectations and objectives moving forward.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations while maintaining ethical business practices at all times.
- Expanded the organization's geographical reach.
Teacher; ESL/Bilingual Special Education; 6-8 ELA
Carbondale District #95
02.2016 - 05.2023
- Designed and implemented differentiated instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs, enhancing educational outcomes in general education and co-taught classroom settings.
- Adapted teaching strategies to accommodate virtual learning environments, ensuring continuous quality education and special education services during remote periods.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Implemented classroom management plan that reduced disruptions, creating more conducive learning environment.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
- Kept abreast of current research on second language acquisition methods while attending professional development workshops focused on effective teaching strategies for ELs and ELs with special education needs.
- Designed curriculum materials for special education students, facilitating inclusive learning.
- Coordinated with language specialists to support English Language Learners, fostering more inclusive classroom.
- Developed and executed formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
- Enhanced literacy skills with targeted reading programs.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating mulitlingual youth and adolescent literature from world cultures.
Adjunct Instructor; Spanish
Shawnee Community College
09.2014 - 05.2016
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with stated course objectives.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, assignments, and grades, ensuring timely communication with stakeholders regarding academic progress.
- Monitored student progress through regular assessments, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Consistently communicated with students to acknowledge and reward positive strides and discuss areas of improvement.
- Promoted active learning by encouraging class participation
- Integrated current events and cultural themes into course materials to contextualize subject matter and facilitate lifelong learning.
- Improved student engagement by incorporating multimedia presentations in lectures.
- Used technological equipment to enhance process of students' learning.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Taught diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
Assistant Literacy Coordinator
John A. Logan College
07.2013 - 02.2016
- Continuously researched and implemented best practices in adult literacy instruction, staying current with educational trends to provide optimal learning experiences.
- Implemented data-driven instructional approaches that led to measurable improvements in students' literacy abilities over time.
- Collaborated with GED and ESL teachers to create effective lesson plans targeting specific areas of improvement for students.
- Coordinated efforts with local libraries to expand resources available to adult learners and volunteer literacy tutors
- Developed and presented biannual training sessions for new volunteer literacy tutors
- Managed grants related to literacy initiatives, ensuring funds were allocated effectively and efficiently toward program goals.
- Attended numerous professional development opportunities in the field of adult education
Interpreter for various state agencies (Spanish-English)
InterpreNet, Inc.
10.2009 - 02.2016
- Utilized active listening skills and cultural sensitivity to convey accurate interpretations.
- Maintained message content, tone, and emotion as closely as possible.
- Used knowledge of accepted ethical guidelines to interpret confidential and sensitive information.
- Facilitated communication between law enforcement personnel and individuals involved in crimes such as witnesses, persons of interest, and suspects.
Teacher; High School Spanish
Murphysboro High School District #186
08.2011 - 05.2013
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with stated course objectives.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.
- Collaborated with colleagues to integrate cross-disciplinary lessons, enriching students' educational experience.
- Designed curriculum materials for special education students, facilitating inclusive learning.
- Developed and executed formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating literature from world cultures.
Early Childhood Music and Language Educator (Kindermusik certified)
SIU Suzuki-Egyptian School
03.2009 - 05.2012
- Built strong relationships and communicated with parents to provide best learning environment for young children.
- Implemented classroom management techniques that fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Developed and implemented engaging movement-rich lesson plans to keep learner attention.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in Kindermusik workshops.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's poems, games, rhymes, and songs from world cultures.
- Utilized innovative teaching strategies to effectively engage students in learning.
Teacher; Elementary Spanish (PreK-Grade 8)
Carbondale New School
08.2008 - 05.2010
- Pioneered and launched the Spanish program at CNS; developed all original curriculum, materials, and assessment tools
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
- Fostered positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking.
- Increased parental involvement in students' education by organizing regular communication and events.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress; created learning goal checklists and provided parents with a narrative account of student progress
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
Teacher; Junior High and High School Spanish
Crab Orchard School District #3
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Was mentored as a new teacher; learned many best practices and received guidance on how to adapt to my new role successfully.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
- Evaluated students' understanding of course material through examinations and in-depth essay writing.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Substitute Teacher (Grades K-8)
Carbondale District #95 & TriCo Schools
08.2006 - 08.2007
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Developed strong rapport with students through consistent encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic growth.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, grades, and progress reports, ensuring timely submission to administration for reporting purposes.
Spanish Teacher
Lewis School Foreign Language Program
08.2005 - 05.2007
- Boosted student engagement with interactive lessons, incorporating real-world examples and hands-on activities.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Provided support to special education students in inclusive classrooms, developing accommodations and modifications to meet their unique needs.
- Increased student comprehension by utilizing differentiated instruction methods tailored to individual learning styles.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to share resources and strategies, enhancing overall teaching quality.
- Enhanced student engagement by implementing interactive teaching methods.
Provider Connection Interpreter (Spanish-English)
State of Illinois Early Intervention Program
12.2003 - 12.2006
- Provided oral interpretations for clients during developmental or occupational therapy treatments, successfully maintaining pace with native speakers to deliver real-time comprehension.
- Improved patient outcomes in healthcare settings by facilitating clear communication between medical professionals and non-English speaking children.
- Communicated with clients to understand interpreting needs and provide best service possible.
- Prepared for interpreting tasks by researching and gathering information about tasks beforehand.
- Promoted cultural understanding and diversity within organizations by offering workshops on the use of folk music and the oral tradition to enhance early (bi)literacy development
Graduate Assistant/Undergraduate Mentor and Liaison
SIU Linguistics Department
08.2005 - 05.2006
- Followed grant guidelines outlined by the U.S. Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Bilingual Education: Training for All Teachers program
- Managed administrative tasks such as scheduling and record-keeping to ensure smooth operations within academic departments.
- Served as a liaison between faculty members and students for addressing concerns or issues related to coursework or academic policies.
- Conducted relevant research and gathered valuable resources for faculty members'' ongoing projects and publications.
- Collaborated with faculty members on research projects, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.
- Expanded professional network through active participation in university-wide events, conferences, seminars, or training sessions.
- Developed strong communication skills by presenting research findings at conferences, meetings, and academic gatherings.
- Organized events and workshops for promoting learning outside the classroom, fostering a sense of community among students.
- Mentored students with personalized guidance on academic progress, career goals, and professional development opportunities.
- Increased department visibility by coordinating open house events and departmental tours for prospective students.
- Streamlined administrative processes, enabling more efficient handling of student inquiries and concerns.
- Simplified complex concepts for students, contributing to noticeable improvement in exam scores.
- Fostered collaborative learning environment, organizing study groups that improved overall student performance.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with students and faculty members.
- Prepared letters of recommendation for students looking to obtain internships and cooperative opportunities.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through effective communication and rapport-building with mentees.
- Established trust with mentees through confidentiality agreements, creating an atmosphere conducive to disclosing personal issues impacting academic performance if necessary.
- Strengthened student confidence in their abilities through consistent encouragement, support, and constructive feedback.
- Helped students develop organizational, time management and study skills.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, sharing insights with colleagues to drive continuous improvement efforts.
- Maintained a high degree of professionalism at all times, representing the organization with integrity in both internal and external interactions.
Bilingual Paraprofessional (Grades K-8)
Unity Point School District #140
08.2003 - 05.2004
- Displayed knowledge of various routine educational tasks, duties and procedures and followed specific instructions of teacher.
- Worked expertly and productively with students and parents from diverse ethnic groups.
- Enhanced student engagement by creating a culturally inclusive learning environment.
- Improved bilingual communication in the classroom by providing translation services for students and teachers.
- Coordinated tutoring sessions for bilingual students requiring additional support in various subjects.
- Assisted in the development of multicultural curriculum resources to enhance learning experiences for all students.
- Conducted assessments of English language learners to monitor progress and adjust instructional strategies accordingly.
- Developed individualized learning plans tailored to the specific needs of bilingual students.
- Contributed to a positive school climate by participating in extracurricular activities, clubs, and events that promoted inclusivity.
- Provided instructional support under teacher supervision within both general education classrooms and specialized settings.
- Supported teachers with grading assignments and offering one-on-one help for struggling bilingual students.
- Maintained accurate records of student performance, attendance, and behavior while observing confidentiality guidelines.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
- Stepped into non-classroom environments such as libraries to help staff manage demand.
- Developed and delivered presentations on course topics.
- Conducted weekly review sessions to help students prepare for exams.
Adult Educator and ESL & GED Test Proctor
Richard J. Daley College
08.1999 - 05.2003
- Provided support and guidance to help students overcome personal barriers affecting their academic progress.
- Developed and implemented tailored curricula to address the diverse needs of adult learners.
- Utilized assessment data to identify areas for improvement, adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
- Assessed each student's developmental needs on ongoing basis.
- Organized community outreach events to promote the importance of adult education and attract new students.
- Worked closely with individual adult learners to develop personalized learning plans based on their unique goals and abilities.
- Served as an advocate for adult learners, assisting them in navigating educational resources and opportunities within the community.
- Fostered a supportive learning environment, allowing adult students to feel comfortable sharing their experiences and ideas.
- Conducted skills assessments to uncover performance gaps.
- Tutored students in using public transportation, dealing with problem situations, expressing emotions appropriately and communicating with peers and employers.
- Educated program participants on writing professional documents.
- Instructed students on core subjects of reading and writing.
Education
Master of Arts - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (International TESOL certificate)
Southern Illinois University At Carbondale
Carbondale, IL01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Socio-cultural Anthropology
Southern Illinois University At Carbondale
Carbondale, IL01.1997
Skills
- Classroom expertise
- Verbal/written communication
- Program support
- Coaching and mentoring
- Adult learning principles
- Schedule coordination
- Attention to detail
- Employee interviewing
- Employee performance reviews
- Blended learning
Certification
State of Illinois Professional Educator License # 504019 – ESL grades K-9, World Language Spanish grades K-12, Bilingual Education (Spanish) grades K-4, Secondary Education grades 6-12, Bilingual Special Education Teacher (approval); Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) certified (2023-05)
LNGG
English and Spanish
Affiliations
- SIUC Diversity Equity Inclusion & Community Engagement Committee
- SIU Bhakti Yoga Club
Timeline
Developmental Skills Training Specialist/Student Learning Lab Supervisor
SIU Achieve Program for Neurodiverse Students
08.2023 - Current
Teacher; ESL/Bilingual Special Education; 6-8 ELA
Carbondale District #95
02.2016 - 05.2023
Adjunct Instructor; Spanish
Shawnee Community College
09.2014 - 05.2016
Assistant Literacy Coordinator
John A. Logan College
07.2013 - 02.2016
Teacher; High School Spanish
Murphysboro High School District #186
08.2011 - 05.2013
Founder, Executive Director, Artistic Director, Grantwriter, Project Coordinator
Southern Illinois Culture & Art in Bilingual Education (NFP)
07.2011 - 05.2025
Interpreter for various state agencies (Spanish-English)
InterpreNet, Inc.
10.2009 - 02.2016
Early Childhood Music and Language Educator (Kindermusik certified)
SIU Suzuki-Egyptian School
03.2009 - 05.2012
Teacher; Elementary Spanish (PreK-Grade 8)
Carbondale New School
08.2008 - 05.2010
Teacher; Junior High and High School Spanish
Crab Orchard School District #3
08.2007 - 05.2008
Substitute Teacher (Grades K-8)
Carbondale District #95 & TriCo Schools
08.2006 - 08.2007
Spanish Teacher
Lewis School Foreign Language Program
08.2005 - 05.2007
Graduate Assistant/Undergraduate Mentor and Liaison
SIU Linguistics Department
08.2005 - 05.2006
Provider Connection Interpreter (Spanish-English)
State of Illinois Early Intervention Program
12.2003 - 12.2006
Bilingual Paraprofessional (Grades K-8)
Unity Point School District #140
08.2003 - 05.2004
Adult Educator and ESL & GED Test Proctor
Richard J. Daley College
08.1999 - 05.2003
Master of Arts - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (International TESOL certificate)
Southern Illinois University At Carbondale
Bachelor of Arts - Socio-cultural Anthropology
Southern Illinois University At Carbondale
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