Dr. Emily Chambers

Progressive building and district-level leadership roles, including Assistant Principal for Special Services, currently serving as Manager of Instructional and Educational Services

• Provide district-level leadership to align instructional supports, student services, and interventions with district goals for student learning.
• Partner with principals, assistant principals, and school teams across multiple schools and programs to strengthen instructional practices, inclusive systems, and data-based decision making.
• Supervise and evaluate staff while providing coaching and actionable feedback to strengthen instructional practice and team effectiveness.
• Provided leadership and support for related service providers and paraprofessionals across multiple roles, including coaching, performance feedback, and formal evaluation as assigned.
• Guide complex student support decisions involving intervention planning, transitions, and service coordination.
• Support building leaders in navigating academic, behavioral, and family-centered situations.
• Lead district-wide professional learning focused on collaboration, inclusive practices, and instructional improvement.
• Coordinate services across school settings, including elementary and early childhood programs.
• Collaborate with district leadership and legal teams to resolve complex cases while maintaining strong family relationships and compliance.

• Partnered with the principal to lead instructional programming and daily operations in a diverse K–8 school.
• Supervised and evaluated more than 70 licensed and non-licensed staff using the REACH framework (Danielson), providing coaching and feedback to strengthen instructional practice.
• Led and supported a team of teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessionals across diverse learner programs.
• Guided grade-level teams through data analysis, intervention planning, and instructional decision making to support student growth.
• Played a key leadership role on the Instructional Leadership Team, supporting school improvement planning, curriculum implementation, and professional learning.
• Recruited, interviewed, hired, and mentored teachers and paraprofessionals to strengthen the instructional team.
• Collaborated on budgeting, master scheduling, student placement, and resource allocation.
• Responded to discipline and crisis situations using restorative practices and district discipline protocols.
• Built strong partnerships with families, parent groups, and the Local School Council.
• Oversaw key aspects of facility operations, after-school programming, and schoolwide supervision.

• Served on the Instructional Leadership Team, supporting school improvement planning, instructional best practices, and professional development.
• Facilitated PLCs focused on reflective practice, research-based instruction, and continuous teacher growth.
• Supported MTSS, PBIS, and Safe and Supportive School Climate initiatives to strengthen student engagement and intervention systems.
• Designed and delivered professional development for staff in co-teaching, collaboration, and instructional support.
• Mentored 13 special education teachers new to the district through coaching, observation, and feedback.
• Co-facilitated family engagement efforts through the Parent Advisory Committee and school-community events.

• Provided administrative leadership for the special education program, including course scheduling, adjunct hiring, mentoring, and faculty evaluation.
• Designed and authored a new undergraduate special education teacher preparation program and secured Illinois State Board of Education approval.
• Led curriculum development for eleven courses aligned with Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and Council for Exceptional Children standards.
• Collected and analyzed program data to support accreditation, continuous improvement, and state reporting requirements.
• Participated in faculty hiring, policy leadership, and institutional accreditation efforts.
• Taught undergraduate and graduate coursework focused on instructional design, lesson development, and effective teaching practice.

• Prepared undergraduate and graduate teacher candidates for classroom practice through coursework, clinical supervision, and performance feedback.
• Supervised practicum and student teaching placements, partnering with schools to strengthen instructional practice and candidate development.
• Coordinated clinical experiences, school partnerships, and field-based supports for future educators.
• Contributed to curriculum development, program evaluation, and accreditation processes across multiple educator preparation programs.
• Mentored emerging educators and supported program improvement through collaboration and leadership across institutions.

• Supported special education program development, research, and curriculum work within the department.
• Collected and analyzed program data and assisted with state reporting requirements.
• Revised course materials, student handbooks, and standardized syllabi to support program consistency.
• Facilitated new student orientations and helped expand clinical partnerships with Chicago Public Schools.

• Provided direct support to principals and special education teachers across six K–8 schools.
• Coached general and special education teachers to strengthen co-teaching, collaboration, and inclusive instructional practices.
• Supported school teams in building staff capacity to meet diverse student needs through targeted instructional support.

• Provided specialized instruction and case management for students in grades K–8 across resource and inclusive settings, designing supports to address a wide range of academic and behavioral needs.
• Collaborated closely with classroom teachers, related service providers, and multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized instructional and behavioral supports.
• Monitored student progress, adjusted interventions, and supported implementation of Individualized Education Programs and Behavioral Intervention Plans.
• Participated in school-based intervention and problem-solving teams to strengthen early identification, targeted support, and collaborative decision making for struggling learners.

• Delivered 3rd-8th grade standards-based instruction across core subject areas while differentiating for diverse learning needs.
• Led literacy-focused initiatives including a schoolwide third-grade reading project and early morning reading enrichment program.
• Built strong partnerships with students and families through consistent communication and supportive classroom practice.
• Served in teacher leadership roles including Student Council facilitator and Local School Council representative.