Kevin Neal
Educator
Berkeley,Illinois
Summary
Passionate educator and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience shaping lives through literacy and strategic outreach. Founder of Phat Phonics Reading Labs and classroom educator delivering culturally responsive education to diverse communities, particularly those that struggle academically and have adopted an attitude of self-apathy and indifference to life. My belief is that the academic heritage of our youth is too rich for them to go bankrupt now!
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behavioral Intervention Specialist / Substitute Teacher
Parkland Preparatory Academy
08.2023 - 01.2025
- Developed crisis management for high school students in crisis.
- Worked under the direction of the Clinical Director and was expected to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and a high degree of confidentiality, while reacting appropriately in crisis situations.
- Developed crisis management for high school students in crisis.
- Effectively intervened in students’ disruptive behavior; both verbal and physical, including using CPI prescribed physical restraint methods to de-escalate critical situations.
- Communicated, verbally and in writing, with the Clinical Director regarding all-crisis situations.
- Compiled data to be given to the teacher / therapist for writing Behavior Intervention Plan.
- Facilitated and provided one on one instruction to students in need.
- Displayed compassion working in a therapeutic setting of 5 - 21 year old youth who may have emotional difficulties.
6th- 7th Grade Math/Science Teacher
Collin Powell Middle School
02.2022 - 06.2023
- Created a classroom culture that focused on respect, engagement and the belief of “I Can”.
- Motivationally encouraged struggling learners to not give up when they didn’t immediately understanding a concept.
- Sought to connect lessons to students’ lives and what they were culturally exposed to.
- Graded students on understanding process more than just getting correct answers.
- Directed students to learn how to critically think and not just memorize facts for a grade.
- Developed and tracked student progress and adjusted academic strategies accordingly.
- Encouraged students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
Permanent Substitute Teacher
Little City/Child-Bridge Center for Education
10.2019 - 01.2021
- Assisted students with cleaning, toileting, hygiene, and shopping.
- Provided lead classroom instruction and direct supervision of 5-6 students with autistic disabilities.
- Responsible for the oversight and delegating assignments of the paraprofessionals appointed to the classroom.
- Provided some group interaction to teach student collaboration and interpersonal communication.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and implemented learning goals and objectives in alignment with general education curriculum.
- Prepared quarterly progress notes for IEP’s and report cards.
- Maintained daily written communication with parents, residential home managers and case managers.
- Participated in all staff and collaborative team meetings.
- Developed a classroom culture of learning, sharing, and respect of others, sharing and maintaining safe, fair, and respectful learning environments that celebrated the diversity of the student population.
- Assisted students with cleaning, toileting, hygiene, and shopping.
Customer Service Rep I
Phonak
09.2015 - 11.2019
- Managed and routed 70+ audiologist orders to be processed daily using SAP.
- Routinely provided product knowledge to audiologists using both SAP and Sales Force.
- Bi-Monthly provided training concerning Order Processing, Customer Service, and SAP use.
- Awarded Customer Service Representative of the Year.
Senior Admissions Advisor
DeVry University
11.2003 - 08.2013
- Assessed qualifications & credentials for registration of 20 - 30 incoming students every eight weeks.
- Improved applicant interview rate by 20% by interviewing 7 – 10 potential applicants a week.
- Improved registration process by becoming a liaison to several university offices.
- Helped to formulate and participate on the DeVry Community College advisory board.
- Helped to write and create the Community College Curriculum Articulation Agreement.
- Liaison to Triton Community College (TCC) and Universal Technical Institute (UTI).
- Conducted college transfer outreach visits at Triton Community College.
- Conducted classroom presentations at Universal Technical Institute.
- Managed student caseloads transferring from TCC and UTI.
Owner / Teacher
Phat Phonics Reading Labs
02.2002 - 05.2013
- Managed daily operations: generated employee payroll, account payables, and customer invoices.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained tutors.
- Developed monthly schedules, and organized community outreach affairs.
- Taught reading comprehension and fluency, math fundamentals, and provided homework help to students aged 5-17 years old.
- Improved academic progress in at risk and special needs (ADD & ADHD) students.
Education
MBA - Management
Keller Graduate School of Management
Schaumburg, IL02.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Loyola University
Chicago, IL05.1984
Skills
- Verbal Communication Skills
- Written Communication Skills
- Interpersonal & Presentation Skills
- Executive Functioning Skills
- Collaborative Problem-solving skills
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Strategies
- Adaptability & Flexibility
Certification
- World TESOL Academy: TESOL/TEFL Certification - 2025
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation & First Aid - 2024
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training - 2024
- Ukeru Systems Training - 2021
Accomplishments
- Phat Phonics Reading Labs - Awarded Business of the Month by Sam’s Club Source Magazine.
- Phat Phonics Reading Labs - Featured on the national cover of Sam’s Club Source Magazine.
- Phat Phonics Reading Labs - Featured on ABC News Someone You Should Know.
- Recognized Member of The Honor Society Foundation.
- Awarded - Customer Service Representative of the Year at Phonak.
Timeline
Behavioral Intervention Specialist / Substitute Teacher
Parkland Preparatory Academy
08.2023 - 01.2025
6th- 7th Grade Math/Science Teacher
Collin Powell Middle School
02.2022 - 06.2023
Permanent Substitute Teacher
Little City/Child-Bridge Center for Education
10.2019 - 01.2021
Customer Service Rep I
Phonak
09.2015 - 11.2019
Senior Admissions Advisor
DeVry University
11.2003 - 08.2013
Owner / Teacher
Phat Phonics Reading Labs
02.2002 - 05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Loyola University
MBA - Management
Keller Graduate School of Management
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