LYLA R. ABDALLAH
Justice,IL
Summary
Education leader and certified school administrator with a focus on school operations and instructional leadership. Developed and implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to enhance academic and social-emotional student outcomes while fostering collaboration with families and staff to ensure compliance and effective support systems.
Overview
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Islamic Foundation School
Villa Park, Illinois
07.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to effectively address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students.
- Conduct formal and informal staff evaluations and provide feedback to strengthen instructional and professional practice.
- Managed student discipline and behavioral interventions, ensuring alignment with school policies and procedures to maintain a positive learning environment.
- Conduct thorough investigations of disciplinary incidents by meeting with students, interviewing involved parties, reviewing surveillance footage, and collaborating with families.
- Determine and implement appropriate disciplinary actions while maintaining comprehensive documentation and case records.
- Facilitated grade-level and department-wide meetings to enhance communication, collaboration, and accountability among staff.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations, activities, and functioning of the school building.
- Review and update school policies and procedures to support effective school operations.
- Develop and facilitate professional development sessions and staff trainings.
- Meet with parents and families to address concerns, resolve issues, and support student success.
- Participate in candidate interviews and collaborate with the principal in the hiring process.
- Completed administrative documentation, reports, and compliance-related paperwork.
- Develop and oversee 504 Plans, ensuring appropriate accommodations are established and communicated to students, staff, and families.
- Collaborate with school leadership, teachers, students, families, and support personnel to address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
- Collaborate with business staff and administration to help facilitate and work toward fundraising events for the school
- Established connections with external partners to support and enrich student activities and overall school operations.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR & AUDITOR
Global Psychological
Chicago, Illinois
07.2021 - 07.2024
- Coordinated and managed the Special Education Department at different high schools.
- Supervised and directed special education personnel, including special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, social workers, and occupational therapists.
- Provided supervision and support to special education staff across multiple school buildings.
- Monitored state compliance requirements and maintained mandated special education documentation and records.
- Conducted employee meetings, coaching and guiding staff to enhance professional practice and job performance.
- Facilitated special education department meetings and promoted collaboration among multidisciplinary teams.
- Provided instructional strategies and professional guidance to staff to enhance student engagement and classroom instruction.
- Conducted formal and informal evaluations of special education employees.
- Participated in administrative meetings regarding special education students, academic data, behavior, families, school events, activities, and emergency situations.
- Designed and facilitated professional development training for general and special education staff to improve instructional effectiveness.
- Participated in interviews and hiring processes to identify highly qualified special education personnel.
- Facilitated and participated in IEP meetings, administrative meetings, parent conferences, and restorative circles.
- Served as local auditor for special education departments across Chicago charter schools, reviewing student files and documentation to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Ensured special education services and documentation aligned with applicable requirements and school expectations.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER / INTRO TO LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DEPSA ECE High School
Detroit, Michigan
07.2019 - 07.2021
- Managed caseload for students in grades 9–12 with IEPs and 504 Plans.
- Delivered accommodations and modifications for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, cognitive impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, and other health impairments.
- Facilitated IEP, MET, REED, and 504 meetings.
- Developed and maintained individualized education programs and 504 Plans to ensure compliance with legal requirements and meet student needs.
- Analyzed educational data, including A-NET, classroom-based, and NWEA assessments, to create targeted action plans that enhanced student achievement.
- Collaborated with general education teachers, administrators, social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and families to monitor student progress.
- Developed behavior plans designed to improve student behavior and promote positive, prosocial outcomes.
- Established collaborative relationships with parents and community partners to support student development and engagement.
- Provided professional development to staff regarding special education laws, requirements, accommodations, and instructional best practices.
- Engaged in Leadership Fellows Program to enhance leadership skills through community service.
- Managed and supported student discipline for students with IEPs in collaboration with school administration.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
GEE Edmonson Academy
Detroit, MI
01.2014 - 07.2019
- Managed case load for K–8 students with IEPs and 504 Plans.
- Implemented accommodations and modifications for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, cognitive impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, and other health impairments.
- Developed and maintained individualized education programs and 504 Plans.
- Facilitated IEP, MET, REED, and 504 meetings.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including teachers, administrators, and specialists, to monitor and support student achievement and progress.
- Analyzed A-NET, NWEA, and classroom-based assessment data to identify student needs and create targeted instructional action plans.
- Designed and implemented behavior plans to promote positive student behavior and engagement.
- Facilitated professional development for staff on special education laws, requirements, and instructional best practices to enhance understanding and compliance.
- Built strong partnerships with families and community organizations to enhance student support. with families and community organizations.
- Supported the administration team in managing student discipline and behavioral concerns.
Education
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
01-2017
Bachelor of Science - Childhood Education & Special Education, Minor: English
DAEMEN COLLEGE
01-2013
Skills
- School Administration
- Special Education Administration
- IEP & 504 Compliance
- Multi-Tiered Support
- Student Discipline
- Behavioral Interventions
- Staff Evaluation
- Staff Supervision
- Instructional Leadership
- Professional Development
- Staff Training
- School Policy & Procedures
- Special Education Auditing
- Data Analysis
- Conflict Resolution
- Family Engagement
- Student Support Services
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Hiring & Interviews
- Compliance & Documentation
- Community Partnerships
- Event fundraising
Certification
Illinois Principal/Administrative Certification | 2023, Illinois Teacher Certification | 2023, Illinois PEL Holder, LBS1 Teaching Certification, Michigan Administration Certification | 2017, Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certificate | 2016, Summit Professional Education — Children with ADHD and Sensory Processing Challenges | 2017, LSI Conference — Building Expertise in Educators | Florida, 2022
LANGUAGES
English: Fluent, Arabic: Semi-Fluent
AWARDS & LEADERSHIP
Michigan State Charter School Teacher of the Year Nominee | 2018, Teacher of the Month | 2017, Dean's Scholarship Award | 2017, College of Education Special Events — Daemen College | 2018, Leadership Fellows Program
Volunteer Experience
KBK Humanitarian Relief Islamic Foundation, Volunteer, Michigan, 2020, Present
Timeline
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Islamic Foundation School
07.2024 - Current
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR & AUDITOR
Global Psychological
07.2021 - 07.2024
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER / INTRO TO LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
DEPSA ECE High School
07.2019 - 07.2021
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
GEE Edmonson Academy
01.2014 - 07.2019
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science - Childhood Education & Special Education, Minor: English
DAEMEN COLLEGE