Karen Muir
Lake Zurich,IL
Summary
Accomplished educational leader with extensive experience supporting students with diverse learning needs at St. Francis De Sales School. Skilled in communication and problem‑solving, with a commitment to building collaborative, positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and administration. Leveraged leadership abilities to improve student outcomes through individualized support plans and targeted professional development. Known for compassion, empathy, and adaptability, creating a student‑centered environment that promotes academic excellence for all learners.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Individualized Instruction
St. Francis De Sales School
Lake Zurich, IL
08.2017 - Current
- Managed team of Resource teachers and instructional aides to improve student learning outcomes in the area of reading.
- Created organizational system for Individualized Catholic Support Plans (ICSPs) and updated support plan template to be in compliance with Archdiocese of Chicago guidelines and policy.
- Case-managed approximately 20 students each school year, developing Individualized Catholic Support Plans (ICSPs) collaborating with teachers and families, to outline essential accommodations for classroom success.
- Coordinated and led annual review meetings with parents and teachers at the beginning of the school year to develop or update ICSPs.
- Collaborated with Front Office and School Principal in reviewing the content of student records, in particular IEP's, 504 Plans or private evaluation reports, for current and prospective students.
- Created and led staff professional development focused on dyslexia awareness and diverse learning needs to advance the knowledge and skills of classroom teachers.
- Partnered with the LEA (District 95) in coordinating related services and initial and re-evaluation meetings.
- Collaborated regularly with classroom teachers to analyze data, monitor student progress, adjusting support and accommodations as needed, to maximize student achievement.
- Served on the Academic Leadership Team (ALT) and Academic Excellence Five-Year Strategic Plan Committee
- Delivered reading intervention to approximately 15 students each year, providing parents with individualized quarterly progress reports containing progress monitoring data and specific feedback highlighting strengths and area for improvement.
Assistant Principal
St. Francis De Sales School
Lake Zurich, IL
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Partnered with principal to administer school program in alignment with vision and goals, providing a positive, high-expectation academic environment.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Supported a positive school culture by addressing student behavior concerns promptly and effectively.
- Performed responsibilities associated with the Director of Individualized Instruction position.
7th/8th Grade ELA Teacher
Mannheim Middle School
Melrose Park, IL
08.2005 - 05.2014
- Acted as a Team Leader for two years (2012-14).
- Actively participated on a variety of committees, including school improvement and ELA curriculum mapping, to lead the efforts in creating a positive and academically-rigorous learning environment
- Mentored three Elmhurst College students, a first-year teacher, and an Akron University student teacher
- Selected to make a presentation before the District 83 School Board (2005).
- Designed and implemented engaging, differentiated ELA lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
Education
Master of Arts - Curriculum And Instruction
National-Louis University
Wheeling, IL05-2008
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, IL05-2003
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Compassion and Empathy
- Verbal and written communication
- Special education
- Classroom accommodations
- Teacher Evaluation
- Staff development
- Dyslexia training
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Systems and content development
- Standardized testing
Certification
- PEL: K-9 Elementary Education, ID # 1889093
- Endorsements: Learning Behavior Specialist I (K-9), ESL (K-8), Language Arts (5-8), Social Science (5-8)
- Dyslexia and Structured Literacy Certification, 2025
- SLDI credential from CERI, applied for 2/2026
- Illinois Teacher Evaluation Training, 2021
Timeline
Assistant Principal
St. Francis De Sales School
08.2021 - 05.2022
Director of Individualized Instruction
St. Francis De Sales School
08.2017 - Current
7th/8th Grade ELA Teacher
Mannheim Middle School
08.2005 - 05.2014
Master of Arts - Curriculum And Instruction
National-Louis University
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Loyola University of Chicago