Jenesha Schem
Lake Villa,Illinois
Summary
Education professional with 15+ years of leadership experience across K–12 and higher education environments, specializing in recruitment, staff supervision, training coordination, program assessment, and compliance-driven documentation. Skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, managing confidential records, and supporting organizational operations that promote student and employee success. Combines classroom experience with administrative leadership to strengthen communication, personnel support, and organizational effectiveness within school district environments.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
W.L. Thompson Elementary School
Lake Villa, IL
08.2024 - Current
- Lead a kindergarten classroom of 18 students, creating a structured environment that supports academic growth, collaboration, and social-emotional development.
- Design and implement standards-aligned instruction integrating literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional learning.
- Utilize assessment data to inform instructional decisions and support targeted interventions through MTSS collaboration.
- Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and cross-disciplinary teams to analyze student progress and coordinate support strategies.
- Maintain ongoing communication with families, specialists, and administrators to support student success.
- Integrate instructional technology and digital learning tools to enhance engagement and differentiated learning.
- Facilitate engaging lessons to promote early literacy and numeracy skills among students.
- Develop and implement individualized learning plans for diverse student needs.
Permanent Substitute Teacher (Early Childhood–Grade 5)
W.L. Thompson Elementary School
Lake Villa, IL
08.2023 - 06.2024
- Provided instructional continuity across multiple grade levels, adapting quickly to varied curricula and classroom environments.
- Maintained positive classroom management and safe learning environments while implementing teacher lesson plans.
- Supported diverse learners including early childhood and cross-categorical classrooms.
- Administered oral reading fluency assessments supporting school literacy data collection processes.
- Implemented lesson plans, adapting materials to meet diverse student needs.
- Supervised classroom activities, ensuring a safe and engaging learning environment.
Assistant Director, Military Student Services
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
01.2012 - 09.2012
- Developed and implemented various external marketing initiatives and publications
- Provided oversight and coordination of the programmatic and transition aspects of the department (e.g., Orientation).
- Created Transition Handbook for incoming military and veteran students.
- Facilitated the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of graduate and student staff (9-10 students and 1 graduate assistant).
- Processing educational benefits for military and veteran students.
- Oversaw the Lotto Grant expenditures and reporting process for the department.
- Created and facilitated assessments as necessary (e.g., Interest Surveys via Survey Monkey, program evaluations, NIU Military & Veteran Student Trend Analysis).
- Served as a member of the following search committees: Military Student Services – Benefits Coordinator; Housing & Residence Life – Residence Hall Director (divisional representative); and Planning & Assessment – Assistant Director.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance student engagement and retention.
- Coordinated cross-departmental projects to streamline operations and improve service delivery.
Assistant to the Vice President
Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management - Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Coordinated administrative operations for a large university division supporting multiple departments.
- Supervised professional staff responsible for professional development initiatives and served on the team responsible for the Division's recruitment and interview processes of graduate assistant.
- Prepared reports, proposals, and executive communications for senior leadership.
- Participated on the university Crisis Response Team, supporting emergency coordination and communication.
- Served as the Division's Media Liaison.
- Coordinated schedules and meetings for Vice President, ensuring efficient use of time and resources.
- Managed communication between departments, facilitating collaboration on student affairs initiatives.
Academic Advisor, Elementary Education
College of Education - Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL
07.2008 - 12.2010
- Advised undergraduate students pursuing teacher licensure, ensuring compliance with academic and certification requirements.
- Conducted orientation sessions and informational workshops for prospective students and families.
- Maintained confidential academic records and monitored student progress data.
- Supported recruitment and retention initiatives for the College of Education.
- Advised students on academic policies and degree requirements, ensuring compliance with institutional standards.
- Developed and implemented personalized academic plans to enhance student success and retention.
Resident Director for Academic Programs
Campus Housing - University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC)
Chicago, IL
07.2007 - 07.2009
- Responsible for the direct supervision of 39 peer mentors (PMs; graduate and undergraduate academic-focused resident assistants) and three senior peer mentors (SPMs) across three sides of campus, which included recruitment, onboarding, evaluation, and payroll oversight.
- Assisted with the coordination of Faculty-in-Residence (FIR), Faculty Partner (FP), and Faculty Associate (FA) programs and co-facilitated training and development accordingly for faculty as well as professional, graduate, and student staff.
- Co-monitored the in-hall Special Interest Area (SIA) programming and initiatives and served as facilitator for the Women In Science & Engineering (WISE) SIA.
- Provided oversight for the MAP-Works first year transition survey and created the intervention process, expectations for, and program assessment utilized by resident directors and paraprofessional staff.
- Oversaw three Learning Resource Centers (one per side of campus), maintained the tutee database, and supervised 12 tutors who were intentionally partnered with on-campus residents seeking academic assistance as well as provided general tutoring.
- Collaborated with Orientation by facilitating conversation about living on campus to incoming students.
- Served as a member of the University’s Dean of Students Judicial Panel.
- Recruitment team member - OshKosh Placement Exchange, NASPA, & ACPA.
- Supervised daily operations of residence halls, ensuring compliance with university policies and standards.
- Developed and implemented community-building programs to enhance student engagement and satisfaction.
Education
Master of Arts in Teaching - Early Childhood Education
National Louis University
Chicago, IL 06-2026
Ed.D. (A.B.D.) - Higher Education - Student Affairs Administration
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL Master of Science - College Student Development
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL08.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Alma College
Alma, MI04-2004
Skills
- Recruitment & Hiring Processes
- Staff Supervision & Performance Support
- Training & Professional Development Coordination
- Policy Compliance & Documentation
- Data Tracking, Reporting & Program Assessment
- Stakeholder Communication & Conflict Resolution
- Orientation & Onboarding Program Development
- Collaborative Leadership & Team Facilitation
Certification
- Illinois Professional Educator License – Early Childhood / Elementary (in progress)
- Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Certification
- Science of Reading–aligned literacy training including UFLI Foundations and Heggerty
Timeline
Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
W.L. Thompson Elementary School
08.2024 - Current
Permanent Substitute Teacher (Early Childhood–Grade 5)
W.L. Thompson Elementary School
08.2023 - 06.2024
Assistant Director, Military Student Services
Northern Illinois University
01.2012 - 09.2012
Assistant to the Vice President
Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management - Northern Illinois University
01.2011 - 01.2012
Academic Advisor, Elementary Education
College of Education - Northern Illinois University
07.2008 - 12.2010
Resident Director for Academic Programs
Campus Housing - University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC)
07.2007 - 07.2009
Master of Arts in Teaching - Early Childhood Education
National Louis University
Ed.D. (A.B.D.) - Higher Education - Student Affairs Administration
Northern Illinois University
Master of Science - College Student Development
Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Alma College