Hi, I’m
DeAnn Stish
Community Coordinator/Policy Analyst
Hudson,WI
Summary
Over twenty-five years of federal, state, and local-level leadership in environmental and natural resource policy. Expertise in realms of climate change, energy, mining, forest management, natural resource economies, water quality, sustainability, and business strategy. Extensive community engagement and coalition building experience. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
32
years of professional experience
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Hudson Middle School
Special Education Teacher
08.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Responsible for providing instruction and support to students with a wide range of disabilities and needs, including but not limited to learning disabilities, developmental delays, emotional or behavioral disorders, and physical disabilities
- Duties included developing and implementing individualized education plans (IEPs), modifying curriculum and materials to meet diverse learning needs, collaborating with other educators and specialists, assessing student progress, and providing behavior management and social skills instruction
- Facilitate communication between students, parents, and other members of the educational team to ensure the best possible outcomes for students with special needs.
- Developed IEPs tailored to individual student needs, ensuring their academic success and personal growth.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop individualized educational plans for each student, ensuring optimal progress.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Enhanced students'' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
- Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
- Utilized technology to create meaningful lessons that engage students.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
Minnesota Forest Resource Council
Executive Director
01.2018 - 01.2019
Job overview
- Oversee the healthy management of the state’s 17 million acres of forest land
- Manage 17-person, Governor-appointed Council that advises federal, state, and local policy makers on all aspects of forest-based impact chain, from industry competitiveness to ecological balance
- Administer multi-million dollar applied natural resource-based research program, including the coordination of practical and applied research from federal, state, university, and private sector sources, to improve the economics and sustainable management of all the ownership categories of the state’s forestlands
- Supervise all staff and programming that intersect with the MFRC -climate change, economic interests, taxation, water quality, biobased utilization - to ensure the competitive position of Minnesota’s forest industry infrastructure and the state’s economy.
Pickford Strategic Communications
Founder, Principal
01.2012 - 01.2018
Job overview
- Lobbyist for and counsel to the Minnesota Forest Industries, an integrated trade association; responsible for all aspects of corporate business representation and support, including management of their supply chain and market competitiveness and ensuring positive movement on key issues including tax, climate change, clean water, emerging biobased technologies, energy, healthy biodiversity, and overall sustainability
- Responsible for issue analysis, briefing material, community engagement and representation of corporate interests before all levels of government entities
- Directed the tri-state Healthy Forests Healthy Communities NGO; coordinated with national affiliate to highlight the value of the forest products industry and the unique role a competitive industry plays in delivering sustainable management of the overall forest ecosystem
- Executive Liaison and facilitator to the USFS Region IX Federal Timber Purchasers Committee, a public/private partnership created in the 1940s by the USDA to address contract, procurement, and supply chain issues.
Minnesota Utility Contractors Association
Executive Director
01.2007 - 01.2012
Job overview
- Managed operations for 130-member, statewide construction trade organization, including strategic plan development, policy and project planning, budget oversight, state and federal lobbying, and community outreach
- Nationally recognized as the top State program in capitalization of Federal/State clean water investment
- Developed industry competitiveness program focused on regulatory compliance.
American Forest & Paper Association
Director of Congressional Affairs
01.1999 - 01.2007
Job overview
- Developed and implemented lobbying and grassroots strategies in support of issues related to environment, forest policy, energy, taxation, product supply chain, green building certification, carbon life cycle, land stewardship/certification, biobased technology goals, recycling and regulation
- Created and managed committees to address legislative and regulatory priorities, budget oversight, and implementation of organizational goals
- Co-managed AF&PA Political Action Committee; served as primary liaison to DC offices of AF&PA member companies and to the Federal Affairs Committee.
Office of Congressman Jim Oberstar
Legislative Assistant
01.1992 - 01.1998
Job overview
- Managed legislative policy development efforts regarding environment, energy, mining, economic development and agriculture; Primary community liaison to advocacy and interest groups, state, county and local officials, and constituents.
Education
University of MinnesotaDuluth, MN
B.A. Political Science, International Studies
01.1988 - 05.1992
University of St. Mary's Winona, MN
Master of Arts from Special Education
05.2001
Skills
Trained in CPI
Analytical Skills
Special Education
Organizational Skills
Behavior Intervention Plans
Decision-Making
Positive Role Model
Parent Communication
Problem-Solving
Differentiated Instruction
Visual supports
Co-teaching Experience
Interpersonal Skills
Small Group Instruction
Crisis Prevention and Intervention
Behavior Modification
Multitasking
Scheduling proficiency
Professional Demeanor
Attention to Detail
Parent communications
Adaptability and Flexibility
Reliability
Student Records Management
Team Collaboration
Time Management
Goal Setting
Cross-cultural communication
Excellent Communication
Data Analysis
Budget Administration
Adaptability
Time management abilities
Team building
Client Needs Assessments
Issue Research
Organizing and Prioritizing Work
Effective Communication
Tracking metrics
Multitasking Abilities
Task Prioritization
Policy analysis
Problem-solving aptitude
Reporting abilities
Collaborative relationships
Legislative Knowledge
Google Suite Proficiency
Policy evaluation
Relationship Building
Active Listening
Policy compliance understanding
New Policies Processing
Written Communication
Continuous Improvement
Microsoft Office
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Hudson Middle School
08.2021 - Current
Executive Director
Minnesota Forest Resource Council
01.2018 - 01.2019
Founder, Principal
Pickford Strategic Communications
01.2012 - 01.2018
Executive Director
Minnesota Utility Contractors Association
01.2007 - 01.2012
University of St. Mary's
Master of Arts from Special Education
05.2001
Director of Congressional Affairs
American Forest & Paper Association
01.1999 - 01.2007
Legislative Assistant
Office of Congressman Jim Oberstar
01.1992 - 01.1998
University of Minnesota
B.A. Political Science, International Studies
01.1988 - 05.1992