Guadalupe Medina-Nicolalde
Chicago
Summary
Educator with Bilingual/ESL and Special Education approvals, holding a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. Skilled in creating adaptive learning environments that support all students. Demonstrated success in implementing effective teaching methodologies to improve educational outcomes. I have worked for Chicago Public Schools since 2005. Throughout my career, I have worked in various positions. Including Diverse Learner educator from preschool to second grade and as ELPT. My passion is to work with diverse learners. I feel that I have the work ethic, personality, and knowledge needed to prepare and inspire children with special needs. Dedicated and responsive professional with proven skills in classroom management, behavior modification, and individualized support. Comfortable working with students of different skill levels to promote learning and boost educational success. Serves as role model by using growth mindset to develop young minds and inspire love of learning.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Diverse Learner Teacher
Chicago Public Schools-Sayre School
09.2022 - 07.2025
- Versed in Savvas Literacy Curriculum and Illustrative Math
- Attended weekly grade level meetings on small group interdependent learning
- Planned and executed lessons tailored for kindergarten, first, and second grade diverse learners
- Collaborated with Co-teacher to plan engaging and rigorous ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies activities
- Co-taught Spelling, Phonemic Awareness, and Calm Classroom to the whole classroom
- Planned and taught lessons based on i-Ready results for ELA and Math
- Worked on progress monitoring based on ELA small groups and kept a binder of academic progress to use in IEP meetings and parent teacher conferences
- Served as a school translator
- Combined IEP goals with academic skills and worked on both simultaneously
- Attended annual and new IEP meetings for students with Special Education Team
- Communicated with parents on students daily needs in person via folder, email, or phone call
- Met with SECA to discuss current emotional and academic needs of diverse learners
- Helped with school functions 'Donut with a Grownup' as a server
- Maintained a clean and welcoming environment for children
ELPT
Chicago Public Schools-Brunson School
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Completed WIDA training for new ELPT preschool-third grade
- Planned and executed differentiated lessons for EL’s learners preschool-third grade
- Worked alongside Mrs. English to administer WIDA screeners and Access for EL’s on the computer and paper test
- Packed and shipped WIDA screeners to appropriate place
Blended Special Education Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public Schools-Brunson Elementary School
09.2021 - 12.2021
- Assessed Special Needs Students using various preschool tools
- Teach modified preschool lessons tailored to student needs
- Attend annual IEP meetings and report to team/parents academic and emotional progress
- Weekly team meeting with preschool team to plan and execute CC Units
Blended Special Education Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public School-Marvin Camras Elementary School
09.2014 - 02.2021
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students (12) based on differentiated learning needs
- Promoted language development skills through reading, storytelling with props, Core Board and team teaching with Speech Pathologist
- Collaborated with other educational personnel (Phycologist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Social Worker) to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities
- Prepared individual educational plans designed to promote educational, physical and social development including Initial, Annual, BIP, and 504 IEP Plans
- Adapted instructional techniques to appropriate ages and skill levels of supervised students
- Established and communicated clear objectives for lessons, units and projects to students and parents
- Applied Responsive Classroom Approach and Calm Classroom as a tool for student behavior management
- Planned alongside other preschool teachers 4 parent child activities centered on academic content and family needs
Blended Special Education Ready to Learn Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public School-Joyce Kilmer Elementary School
09.2013 - 06.2014
- Arranged learning centers that encouraged independent and group-oriented student learning that increases academic and social achievement
- Developed individual IEP’s for children ages 3-5 based on cognitive, physical, and behavioral goals
- Maintained constant communication with Special Education team in order to facilitate proper services
- Participated in several IEP meetings for preschool children and older students
- Served as a Spanish translator during IEP meetings and preschool parent newsletters/flyers
- Thoughtfully planned several parent child activities based on parent concerns thus resulting in an increase in parent involvement
- Gathered anecdotal notes on children’s academic work using a specific template
- Formally assessed children’s academic skills as needed
- Carefully planned academic child centered units that mirror the Early Learning Standards and Teaching Strategies Gold objectives
- Discussed interventions and progress of students (12) during team meetings
- Filed and maintained individual story journals as evidence of academic progress
Preschool for All Teacher
Chicago Public School-Josephine C. Locke Elementary School
09.2012 - 06.2013
- Collaborated on several levels with preschool team to organize and open 4 preschool classrooms
- Facilitated pre-academic skills to 3’s and 4’s through the use of the Big Day Scholastic Preschool Curriculum
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate ESL students resulting in an increase of language and content knowledge
- Compiled monthly informal assessments to help plan for instruction during whole group, team instruction, and center time
- Assessed developmental abilities formally and informally using Teaching Strategies Gold (online preschool assessment tool)
- Met with colleagues on a weekly basis to plan for lessons, activities, parent workshops, field trips, and other special events
- Planned and executed alongside preschool team 4 parent workshops (Math, Literacy, and Computer based)
Preschool for All Teacher
Chicago Public School-Stephen K. Hayt Elementary School
09.2010 - 06.2012
- Taught pre academic and social skills to 3’s and 4’s through the use of the Opening the World of Literacy Preschool Curriculum and BluePrint for Literacy Preschool Curriculum
- Planned instruction for ELL students therefore increasing language and content attainment
- Collected monthly informal assessments to help drive instruction and increase academic success
- Familiar with Teaching Strategies Gold (online preschool assessment tool)
- Served as a Spanish translator for the Early Childhood team
- Served as a Social Committee Member by helping to plan and execute social events for school staff
Bilingual Special Education Co Teacher
Evanston/Skokie District 65-Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center
09.2009 - 06.2010
- Developed and implemented Individual Education Plan with special education team
- Created specific lessons to facilitate the general education curriculum to Special Education students
- Implemented Estrellita and Cancionero (Spanish Curriculum) to increase phonemic awareness/alphabet knowledge in preschool children
- Cooperatively created lessons around current themes
Preschool for All Teacher
Chicago Public School-Lorenz Brentano Elementary School
09.2007 - 06.2009
- Discerned instruction for 3’s and 4’s during reading and math lessons
- Incorporated a variety of resources to facilitate lessons via visual, audio, tactile, and kinesthetic
- Applied the 1,2,3 Magic classroom management approach to minimize disruptions during lessons
- Promoted critical language skills by applying the 'responsive classroom' approach to everyday teacher language therefore creating a sense of responsibility and ownership
- Created monthly newsletters and calendars in Spanish to maintain communication and boost parent participation
Head Start Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public School-New Field Elementary School
09.2006 - 06.2007
- Planned and executed age appropriate lessons that utilized hands on learning methodologies, strategies, and instructional techniques
- Created learning centers based on goals and skills necessary for preschool children to develop
- Fostered language and problem solving skills through active exploration and small group activities
- Entered all necessary Head Start enrollment forms into COPA
- Worked extended day program in order to service the maximum number of children in the community (60 children total)
Education
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction
Concordia University
Chicago, Illinois07.2013
ESL/Bilingual Approval -
National-Louis University
Chicago, IllinoisBachelor of Arts - Sociology with Concentration in Early Childhood Education
Dominican University
River Forest, IllinoisSkills
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Google Classroom and Slides
- Creative teaching strategies
- Goalbook and Boardmaker
- Smartboard technology
- Classroom management tools
- Seesaw engagement
Certification
- Illinois Certificate Type 04 #223685 - Special Education Endorsement, Transitional Bilingual Certificate
- Responsive Classroom Approach, PBIS, Balanced Literacy Initiative, OLCE (Second Language Learners) and ODLSS (Autism, Diverse Learners, Core Board, PECS) and Project Approach at Kohl Children’s Museums
Professional Development
- Through Network 3 attended trainings on Balanced Literacy Initiative
- Completed numerous professional development courses under OLCE (Second Language Learners) and ODLSS (Autism, Diverse Learners, Core Board, PECS)
- Master in all things Google (Google Classroom and Google Slides)
- Attended Project Approach workshops at Kohl Children’s Museums
- Took part in professional workshops at the Children’s Museum in Navy Pier on documentation boards, Art, Science, and conservation activities for early childhood students
- Familiar with the Responsive Classroom Approach and PBIS
Life Outside the Classroom
- Mother of three young children (two attend CPS schools)
- Enjoys cooking for family and friends
- Loves to sing and dance Latin music at home
- Passionate about home remodeling
Timeline
Diverse Learner Teacher
Chicago Public Schools-Sayre School
09.2022 - 07.2025
ELPT
Chicago Public Schools-Brunson School
01.2022 - 06.2022
Blended Special Education Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public Schools-Brunson Elementary School
09.2021 - 12.2021
Blended Special Education Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public School-Marvin Camras Elementary School
09.2014 - 02.2021
Blended Special Education Ready to Learn Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public School-Joyce Kilmer Elementary School
09.2013 - 06.2014
Preschool for All Teacher
Chicago Public School-Josephine C. Locke Elementary School
09.2012 - 06.2013
Preschool for All Teacher
Chicago Public School-Stephen K. Hayt Elementary School
09.2010 - 06.2012
Bilingual Special Education Co Teacher
Evanston/Skokie District 65-Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center
09.2009 - 06.2010
Preschool for All Teacher
Chicago Public School-Lorenz Brentano Elementary School
09.2007 - 06.2009
Head Start Preschool Teacher
Chicago Public School-New Field Elementary School
09.2006 - 06.2007
Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction
Concordia University
ESL/Bilingual Approval -
National-Louis University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology with Concentration in Early Childhood Education
Dominican University
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