Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Eileen Morrison

Des Plaines,IL

Summary

Special Education teacher with talents for adapting curriculum, designing, and implementing instruction. Strong knowledge and experience coordinating special education services related to vocational training and post-secondary transition planning. Communicative and collaborative with proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft applications. Proven history of fostering positive relationships with students, families, and team members.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Transition Case Manager & Vocational Coordinator

Exceptional Learners Collaborative
Vernon Hills, IL
08.2020 - Current
  • Ongoing case management for Transition students
  • Developed and maintained positive relationships with students, families, and staff, fostering a supportive environment.
  • Collaborated in the creation of high-quality IEP and post-secondary transition plans
  • Played an integral role in the development and implementation of a cutting-edge vocational center.
  • Coordinated resources for distance learning services in the D125 Transition Program
  • Created and delivered tailored vocational experiences
  • Administered transition assessments
  • Conducted assessments of students' needs, abilities, interests, and preferences in order to create effective transition plans.
  • Utilized data to guide decision making
  • Delivered daily vocational programming through a variety of engaging hands-on experiences and lesson plans, utilizing both virtual platforms and in-person sessions.
  • Created and maintained multiple successful on-site student micro-businesses

Transition and Vocational Specialist

North Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO), Kirk School
Palatine, IL
08.2018 - 06.2020
  • Organized and managed vocational work training experiences for high school and transition students
  • Serve as district liaison with area businesses, advisory groups and agencies to develop school-to-work opportunities
  • Created and implemented data collection
  • Planned and taught classes on volunteerism
  • Participated in Transition Action Planning (TAP) meetings
  • Post-secondary transition planning with students, families, staff, and adult agencies
  • Job coaching as needed
  • Participated in and facilitated job progress monitoring meetings
  • Organized parent tours of adult agencies
  • Created and presented professional development training to staff
  • Collaboration with other Transition Specialist and Career Specialist to determine ongoing and yearly case management

DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant

Maine Township High School District 207
Park Ridge, IL
08.2015 - 06.2018
  • Maintain student caseload of 60+ students from Maine East, Maine South and Maine Township Transition Program (MTTP)
  • Meet with students, families and staff to discuss vocational rehabilitation and transition services (i.e.: regularly attend IEP meetings at Maine East, Maine South and Maine Township Transition Program)
  • Collaborate with Vocational Coordinators and/or case managers to identify students in special education that meet criteria to become DRS client
  • Maintain student case files and DRS documents: (i.e.: opening new cases, conducting intake interviews, certification of case, case assessment, developing Individualized Plans for Employment, documenting case notes (student contact, quarterly work evaluations, employment verification monthly, IPE creation and amendments), initiating and completing case closures
  • Provide counseling and guidance as it relates to achieving post-secondary education goals, employment goals and transition goals: (i.e.: instruction in self-advocacy, setting realistic career goals, development of efficient and proficient work habits, researching jobs and careers, researching training programs and/or colleges)
  • Provide information and referral to community resources and linkages as needed and requested by students and families:(i.e.: work training experiences, competitive job leads/ employment opportunities, information about CAU, PUNS, SSI)
  • Provide support to students in obtaining and maintaining part-time employment: (i.e.: job readiness preparation, assistance in locating job openings, completion of employment application, creating resumes, build interview skills, communication with students and/or families as needed)
  • Maintain regular student contact during the school year and follow up with students post high school/post transition to determine if further employment support services are needed
  • Work with DRS Employment Specialist in developing work training sites and competitive employment sites
  • Work to develop and maintain positive working relationships with management at competitive work sites as well as work training sites
  • Determine student eligibility for college funding through DRS

Job Coach

Maine Township High School District
01.2015 - 07.2015
  • Participate in job development o Initiated phone calls to local businesses o Collected important hiring information o Documented contact with business managers in Google Docs
  • Collaborate with other job coaches regarding job development
  • Traveled to various businesses to observe students in their work environment
  • Worked one-on-one with two students at Maine South High School, two afternoons a week for 6 weeks, as part of a fully supported job coaching and training opportunity
  • Created a list of guidelines for students to follow while working
  • Developed basic tasks for students to perform while working
  • Created documents to be used as tools for training students while coaching
  • Provided guidance, support and feedback to students
  • Execution and completion of student work evaluations
  • Maintained contact with staff member overseeing the program at Maine South High School via telephone, email, and text message

Accounts Receivable

Julia Molloy Education Center
Morton Grove, IL
09.2013 - 07.2015
  • Responsible for Accounts Payable and,
  • Maintain accounts payable files, accounts receivable files, o Create and maintain spreadsheets, and computer files in business office o Working knowledge of Infinite Visions accounting software
  • Verbal and written correspondence with school districts within the NTDSE Co-op
  • Verbal and written correspondence with vendors hired for materials and services within the NTDSE Co-op
  • Edit, produce, and distribute NTDSE Annual Personnel Directory
  • Answer Phones
  • Maintain student FACT records and personnel records in iePoint database for all NTDSE special education students and personnel
  • Create and process reimbursement claim for the 9 school districts within the NTDSE Co-op
  • Working knowledge of iePoint database for special education students and personnel reported to ISBE
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

Paraprofessional

Old Orchard Junior High School
Skokie, IL
11.2011 - 09.2013
  • Work with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade special education students
  • Collaboration with lead special education teacher, speech pathologist, social worker, music therapist and regular education teachers
  • Provide direct instruction & small group instruction
  • Implementation of behavior intervention plans
  • Daily collection of instructional data and anecdotal notes
  • Modification of assignments/projects
  • Daily use of various forms of technology and assistive technology including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Power Point, Glogster, Prezi, Dropbox, GoogleDocs, Outlook Web Email, Aesop Substitute Software, Smartboard, iPad, and various augmented alternative communication devices
  • Utilization of organizational and creative skills in planning community field trips and instructional lessons

First Grade Teacher

St. Raymond de Penafort School
Mount Prospect, IL
11.2007 - 06.2008
  • Organized and set up classroom in a timely manner in order to maintain educational continuity
  • Hosted “Meet and Greet” for parents
  • Wrote and implemented lesson plans to provide differentiated instruction
  • Created and maintained class website
  • Worked collaboratively with First Grade team
  • Hosted two successful parent/teacher conferences
  • Fostered positive relationships with parents through open and frequent communication
  • Maintained a neat and organized classroom
  • Provided and maintained a curated leveled classroom library
  • Delivered effective classroom management with creative positive reinforcement

Education

Master of Science - Special Education, LBS II, CAS

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
05.2020

English Language Learner (ELL) Endorsement

National Louis University, IRC
Chicago, IL
06.2011

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education K-8

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
05.1992

Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS I) - Special Education

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Skills

  • Individual Education Plans IEPs
  • Data Management
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Job Readiness Training
  • Social Skills Development
  • Parent Communication
  • Develop student micro-businesses
  • Curriculum adaptation
  • Crisis Prevention and Intervention
  • Post-secondary transition assessments and planning
  • Data driven decision making
  • Assistive technology & AAC
  • Community Partnerships
  • Lesson planning and instruction

Timeline

Transition Case Manager & Vocational Coordinator

Exceptional Learners Collaborative
08.2020 - Current

Transition and Vocational Specialist

North Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO), Kirk School
08.2018 - 06.2020

DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant

Maine Township High School District 207
08.2015 - 06.2018

Job Coach

Maine Township High School District
01.2015 - 07.2015

Accounts Receivable

Julia Molloy Education Center
09.2013 - 07.2015

Paraprofessional

Old Orchard Junior High School
11.2011 - 09.2013

First Grade Teacher

St. Raymond de Penafort School
11.2007 - 06.2008

Master of Science - Special Education, LBS II, CAS

Northeastern Illinois University

English Language Learner (ELL) Endorsement

National Louis University, IRC

Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education K-8

Elmhurst College

Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS I) - Special Education

Northeastern Illinois University

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Eileen Morrison