Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Leadership And Volunteer Activities
Field Experience
Timeline
Edita Cafi
Special Education Teacher
Open To Work

Edita Cafi

Special Olympics
Oak Park,IL

Work Preference

Job Search Status:

Open to work

Desired Job Title

Planning Substitute TeacherSpecial Education TeacherCoachClassroom ObservationsClinical Experience I

Salary Range

$70000/yr - $100000/yr

Summary

Knowledgeable special education teacher with hands-on experience in classroom instruction and student engagement. Successfully implemented lesson plans and facilitated interactive learning sessions. Demonstrated effective classroom management and communication skills.

1
Certification
5
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Education Teacher

1 Year 1 Month
Irving Elementary | Oak Park, IL | 07.2025 - Current

Coach

5 Years 7 Months
Special Olympics | Oak Park, IL | 01.2021 - Current
  • Coordinate and facilitate instruction for sport teams and competitions
  • Create a safe and nutritious environment for students with disabilities to achieve their sport goals
  • Support teamwork through relationship building activities

Planning Substitute Teacher

3 Years 5 Months
Oak Park District 97 | Oak Park, IL | 01.2022 - 06.2025
  • Implement differentiated instruction
  • Provide modifications and accommodations to support diverse learners needs
  • Engage one-on-one with students with behavioral problems to support self-regulation
  • Guide students throughout the day with positive feedback, encouragement, and compassion
  • Complete continuing education training to stay current and relevant with standards and regulations

Classroom Observations

2 Months
Online | 05.2023 - 07.2023
  • 60 hours of online observations of nationally board-certified teachers implementing instruction for students with disabilities at all grade levels
  • Provided reflections on the different methods and pedagogies followed in each case study video
  • Observed teachers incorporating various strategies to increase student participation and understanding of content

Clinical Experience I

4 Months
Irving Elementary | Oak Park, USA | 01.2023 - 05.2023
  • 75.5 hours
  • Kindergarten/First-grade self-contained RISE
  • Observed teacher scaffolding instruction and provided modifications to increase student participation and understanding
  • Observed teacher educate and train staff on the curriculum
  • Participated in instruction and provided small group instruction
  • Observed teacher implementing differentiated instruction for students with diverse learning needs

Teacher's Assistant

1 Year
Oak Park District 97 | Oak Park, USA | 01.2021 - 01.2022
  • Worked directly under the classroom teachers to help facilitate learning while maintaining a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment
  • Facilitated small group phonics and math lessons according to the lead teacher's direction and lesson plans
  • Monitored behaviors by tracking data for the classroom teacher, resource staff, and administration
  • Provided support for students in a general education setting

Education

Master of Arts - Special Education-LBS I

Northeastern Illinois University | 05-2025

Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts/English

Northeastern Illinois University | 01.2009

Associates in Arts

College of DuPage | 01.2006

Skills

Classroom management
Student engagement
Differentiated instruction
Lesson planning
Instructional strategies
Technology integration
Individualized support

Certification

  • Professional Educator License - Special Education Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1)
  • Crisis Prevention Training (CPI), 2024-2025

Leadership And Volunteer Activities

Coach, Special Olympics, Oak Park, IL, 2021-Present, Coordinate and facilitate instruction for sport teams and competitions, Create a safe and nutritious environment for students with disabilities to achieve their sport goals, Support teamwork through relationship building activities

Field Experience

  • Student Teaching Experience, Irving Elementary, Oak Park, IL, Spring 2025, 16 weeks, Second/Third Grade Self-Contained RISE Classroom, Observed the classroom teacher in developing and implementing instruction using a modified curriculum, Witnessed effective classroom management strategies based on evidence-based practices, Collaborated with the classroom teacher and staff to design instructional methods and behavior management strategies, Attended conferences, TEAM meetings, and IEP meetings, Worked with the classroom teacher to develop student goals for IEPs, Managed student behavior using evidence-based practices, Implemented instruction using a modified curriculum
  • Clinical Experience I, Irving Elementary, Oak Park, IL, Spring 2023, Kindergarten/First-grade self-contained RISE Classroom, Observed teacher scaffolding instruction and provided modifications to increase student participation and understanding, Observed teacher educate and train staff on the curriculum, Participated in instruction and provided small group instruction, Observed teacher implementing differentiated instruction for students with diverse learning needs
  • Classroom Observations, Online, Summer 2023, 60, Observations of nationally board-certified teachers implementing instruction for students with disabilities at all grade levels, Provided reflections on the different methods and pedagogies followed in each case study video, Observed teachers incorporating various strategies to increase student participation and understanding of content

Timeline

Special Education Teacher
Irving Elementary
07.2025 - Current
Classroom Observations
Online
05.2023 - 07.2023
Clinical Experience I
Irving Elementary
01.2023 - 05.2023
Planning Substitute Teacher
Oak Park District 97
01.2022 - 06.2025
Coach
Special Olympics
01.2021 - Current
Teacher's Assistant
Oak Park District 97
01.2021 - 01.2022
Northeastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts from Liberal Arts/English
College of DuPage
Associates in Arts
Northeastern Illinois University
Master of Arts from Special Education-LBS I
Edita CafiSpecial Education Teacher