Karen K. Lynch
Simpson College Director, Student Accessibility Services
Indianola,IA
Summary
Veteran professional educator, successful at providing support for students and teachers in alignment with state and federal standards. Recognized by students, faculty, and staff as a highly effective advocate. Collaborative in supporting students and educators while maintaining compliance with laws and regulations. Relentless advocate/ teacher/ parent familiar with barriers to access for those with disabilities in all settings. Remains positive under times of stress or conflict. Works well with all stake holders to develop educational plans and curriculum to support all levels of learners leading to successful achievement of standards.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director, Student Accessibility Services
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa
07.2022 - Current
- Independently manage large case load.
- Review disability documentation and interview students to ensure appropriate accommodations
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Professor
Simpson College
Indianola, IA
01.2026 - 04.2026
- Developed and implemented innovative curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Evaluated student performance through assessments, ensuring academic integrity and learning standards are met.
- Enhanced student understanding by designing interactive and engaging lectures.
Executive Function Coach
Independent Contractor
Des Moines, IA
04.2020 - 12.2022
- Support college, high school and elementary students in Des Moines area with maintenance of academic skills, organization, scheduling, and task management related to difficulties with online learning during pandemic and learning differences
- Meet with college freshman on various campuses remotely to support with organization, scheduling, and task management
- Help provide scaffolding for clients to transition to independence in areas of scheduling, task management, social relations and job readiness
- Assist clients with self advocacy including social support with group projects and communication with instructors
- Communicate with students and their families weekly in person or online to ensure broad support network
- Support students with in-person, email and phone communications related to work and school
- Help students set, plan for and attain personal goals
- Utilize various technology to assist students in improving academic performance
Landscape Designer
Independent Contractor
Des Moines, IA
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Rendered designs with manual and computer-aided methods.
- Consulted with customers and analyzed locations to develop concepts.
- Planted bulbs, trees, bushes and flowers for residential and commercial clients.
- Sourced high-quality trees, bushes, grass seed or sod, fertilizer and other supplies to complete new installations.
- Worked with customers to develop designer landscaping plans for various budgets.
- Mulched gardens, placed sod and adjusted soils to provide optimal growth potential.
- Completed timesheets and project reports on time to maintain client files for future reference.
Academic Interventionist
Des Moines Public Schools
Des Moines, IA
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Conducted child assessments during intervention visits.
- Offered guidance and support to families of children with disabilities or developmental challenges.
- Assisted classroom teachers in modifying classes and programs to verify compliance with IEPs and interventions.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers new to Montessori in creating classrooms that assist students with meeting Montessori Outcomes while staying aligned with DMPS SRG scales
- Collaborated with classroom teachers, instructional coaches and other specialists to ensure effective intervention for all students to meet Montessori and DMPS outcomes
- Participated in problem solving process by collaborating with staff, parents and child study team
- Developed Montessori inspired intervention based on FAST and MAP test data
- Analyzed student growth using data from FAST and MAP data then informed instruction accordingly
- Conducted child assessments during intervention visits.
- Assisted faculty in securing materials to support instruction.
- Developed activities and strategies for improvement of instruction and student performance.
- Worked with small groups of students to provide research based Tier II and Tier III interventions.
- Participated in creation of Tier II behavior systems for Cowles Montessori
- Created tools for instruction and behavioral support.
- Evaluated students to determine academic and emotional development levels.
- Developed interventions for students currently struggling or at risk of falling behind.
- Liaised with teachers and doctors to maintain cohesive collaboration regarding child's goals and challenges.
Preprimary Montessori Teacher
Montessori, Main St. Montessori and Middle School
Norwalk, IA
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Implemented Montessori teaching methods for 3-6 yr olds
- Coordinated and taught appropriate preschool and kindergarten lessons in all content areas including math, literacy, science, social studies, music, art, PE, Spanish & practical life
- Contributed to administration of school through tours for prospective families, marketing, design/implementation of outreach programs and long term planning
- Communicated with parents about program and their child’s progress
- Assisted families in procuring outside resources needed for additional support including physical therapy, speech therapy, behavioral health, and occupational therapy
- Conducted conferences to establish and maintain consistent and clear communication with parents.
- Prepared classroom and materials according to montessori pedagogy and needs of children.
Director/Teacher Kindergarten Program
The Meadows Academy for Creative Kids
Des Moines, IA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Founded the only progressive day kindergarten program
- Created child-centered learning environment characterized by consistent application of sound mental health and educational psychology practices.
- Coordinated and taught appropriate kindergarten curriculum in all content areas including math, literacy, science, social studies, music, art, PE, Spanish & practical life
- Responsible for marketing & for communicating with parents about the program as well as about their child’s progress
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Identified characteristics, needs, abilities and problems of each child through personal interaction and progress reports to optimize approaches.
- Integrated outdoor education into lesson plans.
Lead teacher
St. Timothy’s Church & Preschool
W.Des Moines, IA
01.2008 - 01.2013
- For morning PreK & 3 yr old classroom
- Created lessons plans, learning center activities, small group lessons for both 3yr old classroom and state funded universal
- PreK program
- Assessed and planned for individual children’s needs using
- Creative Curriculum GOLD
- Communicated with families regarding their child’s progress including families newly immigrated to the area
- Mentored teachers and associates new to the program
Substitute Teacher
Des Moines Area schools
Des Moines, IA
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Took over class for regular classroom teacher, managing assignments, student needs and recordkeeping.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Taught preschool through 6th grade including PE, art, speech and music as needed in both public and private schools, suburban and urban settings
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
Elementary Teacher/Gifted and Talented Teacher
Jewish Day School
Belleview, WA
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
- Developed and implemented small groups for highly capable math groups - 3rd grade
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments and assessments and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations
Title IV Teacher Grade 5
Graham Hill Elementary
Seattle, WA
- Taught AM 5th grade literacy and math to children from diverse backgrounds in urban setting.
- Stayed abreast of new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Retained student interest and maximized receptive learning.
Education
Ph.D. - Community Psychology
National Louis University
Chicago, IL 09.2025 - 05.2028
Master Of Arts - Community Psychology
National Louis University
Chicago, IL 2023.08 - 2025.06
Early Childhood Montessori Certification - Montessori Teacher Education
Seton Montessori Institute
Clarendon Hills, IL 01.2014 - 01.2016
Early Childhood Education Endorsement -
Viterbo University
01.2014 - 01.2016
BA - Elementary Education, Special Ed
University of Iowa
08.1997 - 12.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Speech & Hearing Sciences
Iowa City, IA 08.1996 - 05.1997
Skills
Skilled at adapting to project constraints and resolving problems on my own
Experience and skill managing multiple projects simultaneously
Excellent interpersonal skills25 Years professional teaching experience in 3 states from 20-40 hours a week
4 Years Professional higher education experience as disability services director 40 hours a week
26 Years of combined education and experience applying state and federal standards to classroom activities from 20-40 hours a week
26 Years of professional and personal experience analyzing and applying IDEA and ADA laws to daily educational experiences 40 hours a week
3 Years of experience developing classroom programs to support high achieving and under achieving students 20 hours a week
3 Years experience developing and presenting educational training to educators around implementation of ADA while meeting specific learning outcomes 40 hours a week
4 Years analyzing data from standardized assessments, academic performance, and engagement indicators to inform program development in K-12 and higher education from 20-40 hours a week
Clifton strengths identifies problem solving as top strength leading to anticipation of issues, fast and effective resolution of issues while maintaining requirements of state and federal regulations and grants
6 Years of academic work in education field from accredited programs
Timeline
Professor
Simpson College
01.2026 - 04.2026
Ph.D. - Community Psychology
National Louis University
09.2025 - 05.2028
Master Of Arts - Community Psychology
National Louis University
2023.08 - 2025.06
Director, Student Accessibility Services
Simpson College
07.2022 - Current
Executive Function Coach
Independent Contractor
04.2020 - 12.2022
Landscape Designer
Independent Contractor
01.2019 - 01.2021
Academic Interventionist
Des Moines Public Schools
01.2016 - 01.2019
Preprimary Montessori Teacher
Montessori, Main St. Montessori and Middle School
01.2015 - 01.2016
Early Childhood Montessori Certification - Montessori Teacher Education
Seton Montessori Institute
01.2014 - 01.2016
Early Childhood Education Endorsement -
Viterbo University
01.2014 - 01.2016
Director/Teacher Kindergarten Program
The Meadows Academy for Creative Kids
01.2013 - 01.2015
Lead teacher
St. Timothy’s Church & Preschool
01.2008 - 01.2013
Substitute Teacher
Des Moines Area schools
01.2003 - 01.2008
Elementary Teacher/Gifted and Talented Teacher
Jewish Day School
01.1999 - 01.2000
BA - Elementary Education, Special Ed
University of Iowa
08.1997 - 12.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Speech & Hearing Sciences
08.1996 - 05.1997
Title IV Teacher Grade 5
Graham Hill Elementary
Accomplishments
- 2023 Staff Student Impact Award, Simpson College
Volunteer Activity
- Co-Founder and Advisor for ACES (Advocacy, Community, Education, Support) disability student support group
- Women at the Well Reentry Team Member
- Habitat for Humanity Home Building
- DMARC Food Pantry Volunteer
- Just Faith Poverty Simulation Volunteer
- Board Member- Lifeworks Des Moines
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Signed English
Limited Working
Activities & Interests
- Violinist- Des Moines Community Orchestra
- Member- All Campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (ACDEI), 2022-2024
- Member- ACDEI Policy and Procedure subcommittee, 2022-2024
- Organized student groups on campus to coordinate with REVUP for Disability Voting Rights awareness
- Rowing
- Hiking
- Landscaping
- Cycling
- Reading