Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Public Speaking
Professional Affiliations
Languages
Certification
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

Joshua Andre

Chicago,IL

Summary

Charismatic leader with a unique background encompassing operational leadership in the Israeli Defense Forces and clinical experience in several behavioral health settings (therapeutic day school). Demonstrated strengths in team leadership, program development, strategic planning, and communication. Proven ability to manage teams, drive initiatives, and build relationships, seeking to apply these skills to learn as COO in Training at UHS and build a successful career thereafter.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Krav Maga and Boxing Therapist

The Tikvah Center for Jewish Recovery and Healing
Northbrook, IL
02.2025 - Current
  • Trained in the innovative boxing and Krav Maga therapy based out of Modi'in, Israel.
  • Provide individual mental health therapy via the only integrated krav maga and boxing modality in illinois

School Social Worker

North Shore Academy
Highland Park, IL
08.2019 - Current
  • Manage a caseload of high school and middle school students in a therapeutic day school, providing individual and group therapy, IEP services, transition services, and family and government outreach.
  • Lead a team of teachers and teaching assistants, fostering a positive and structured learning environment, while managing student behavior and facilitating collaborative activities..
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized education plans, and support student success.
  • Provide crisis intervention and support to students and families

Special Forces Combat Operator

Israel Defense Forces
08.2022 - 02.2024
  • Served in the elite undercover unit, Yamas (Southern Division) which specializes in counter-terrorism within Israel and on the borders of Gaza, Egypt and Jordan
  • Performed numerous covert operations under the guidance of the Shin Bet (Israeli FBI), high-risk arrests of terrorists in enemy territories, smugglers, and murders, provided personal security for the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and engaged in combat with terrorist organizations
  • Received reward of excellence given to one soldier for his contributions to the team, platoon and unit
  • Acted as a mentor to the new operators

Krav Maga Program Assistant

StandStrong
Skokie, IL
02.2019 - 07.2021
  • Collaborated with the CEO to design, implement, and manage a community-wide self-defense program, overseeing curriculum development, outreach strategies, and logistical coordination.

Youth Services Program Mentor

Children's Home + Aid
Chicago, IL
06.2018 - 07.2019
  • Managed a caseload of middle school and high school students, coordinating and facilitating weekly group sessions and providing individualized mentoring to address social-emotional needs and promote positive development.
  • Led youth in the creation and execution of a civic engagement project.
  • Acted as a liaison between students' work supervisors, parents, and probation officers.

Refugee and Immigrant Student Social Work Intern

Chicago Public Schools: Office of Language and Cultural Education
Chicago, IL
09.2018 - 06.2019
  • Collaborated with a team of social workers to deliver culturally sensitive clinical services across several schools, demonstrating strong communication, collaboration, and adaptability skills.
  • Managed a caseload of refugee and immigrant students, providing individual and group sessions to assess needs and provide social-emotional support.
  • Initiated and managed the first boxing therapy group for 8-12 students, overseeing program development, student recruitment, and facilitation of activities to promote positive social-emotional development.

Group Facilitator

Maine Township Recovery Connection
Des Plaines, IL
06.2017 - 06.2017
  • Facilitated groups for 12 young adults, ages 18-25, in recovery from substance use disorders who were experiencing challenges with their mental health during a month long program
  • Hosted community dinner to engage members socialization skills in a safe environment

Tutor and Teacher

St Leonard's Ministries
Chicago, IL
08.2016 - 05.2017
  • Tutored adult students who were formerly incarcerated
  • Ran science labs for 25-30 students in Sister Jean Hughes Adult High School
  • Assisted students and residents in job searches, housing applications, college applications, FAFSA, resumes, transition services

Student Intern/Activities Assistant

Abbott House
Highland Park, IL
10.2011 - 05.2012
  • Conducted activities for adults with chronic mental illnesses in groups and individually
  • Taught residents computer skills while focusing on relationship building and wellness

Education

Master's of Social Work -

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL
05.2020

Bachelor of Social Work -

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL
05.2019

Skills

Problem-solving

Relationship building and connecting

Decision making in high-pressure environments

Leadership and team building

Public speaking and engagement

Learning quickly and developing

Public Speaking

IDF Special Forces Speaker

  • Deerfield High School, 02/25
  • Jewish United Fund Chicago Event, 08/24
  • StandWith Us (Midwest), 06/24
  • L'Chaim Center, 02/24
  • JCC Chicago, 01/24

Youth and Young Adult Speaker, Presented my story to youth, parents, educators, and mental health professionals about the unique experience of substance use and recovery for adolescents and high school students.

  • Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Recovery Celebration, 07/24
  • The Crucial Role Schools Can-and Do-Play in Addressing Student Substance Use and Addiction (Conference), 03/20
  • University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, 05/17, 02/18 & 11/19
  • Jewish Child and Family Services 'Gift of Recovery', 12/18
  • IAODAPCA Conference- for Illinois alcohol and substance use professionals, 03/18
  • OMNI Youth Services 'Recovery University', 10/16

Professional Affiliations

Serenity Academy Chicago, Board of Directors (December 2016 – September 2019) - Provided leadership and strategic guidance as a young member of the board, contributing to organizational decision-making and community outreach.

IDHS: Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery,  Young Adult Board (December 2017 – January 2019)

Languages

English
Native/ Bilingual
Hebrew
Native/ Bilingual

Certification

  • Boxing & Krav Maga Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
  • Ridge People Skills Training - Reflective Listening
  • Restorative Practices/Peace Circles, Think First, CBITS, Crisis Management for Chicago Public Schools
  • The Road to Resilience- Chicago Children's Advocacy Center training on trauma and ACE's

Accomplishments

  • Purple Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Chicago Golden Gloves Championship - 178 Lb Champion
  • NSSED Circle of Courage Award
  • Parks/Palzer Scholarship Award

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Krav Maga and Boxing Therapist

The Tikvah Center for Jewish Recovery and Healing
02.2025 - Current

Special Forces Combat Operator

Israel Defense Forces
08.2022 - 02.2024

School Social Worker

North Shore Academy
08.2019 - Current

Krav Maga Program Assistant

StandStrong
02.2019 - 07.2021

Refugee and Immigrant Student Social Work Intern

Chicago Public Schools: Office of Language and Cultural Education
09.2018 - 06.2019

Youth Services Program Mentor

Children's Home + Aid
06.2018 - 07.2019

Group Facilitator

Maine Township Recovery Connection
06.2017 - 06.2017

Tutor and Teacher

St Leonard's Ministries
08.2016 - 05.2017

Student Intern/Activities Assistant

Abbott House
10.2011 - 05.2012

Master's of Social Work -

University of Illinois at Chicago

Bachelor of Social Work -

Northeastern Illinois University

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