Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Overview
Generic
Mary Hughes

Mary Hughes

Chicago,IL

Summary

Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.

Work History

Clinical Actor

Simulation And Integrative Learning Institute, UIC
11.2016 - Current
  • Performed in medical school experiential learning programs.
  • Simulated standardized emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms of various diseases and chronic illnesses, based on assigned criterion.
  • Provided medical students with constructive feedback on patient experience.

Special Education Parent Liaison

Raise Your Hand For Illinois Public Education
01.2019 - 05.2021
  • Trained parents and guardians on their special education rights under IDEA.
  • Coordinated parent working groups on specific initiatives and prepared reports re same.
  • Created and managed content for social media campaigns.
  • Monitored media and special education sites for news and updates and disseminated same to stakeholders.
  • Delivered testimony to state legislators, Chicago City Council and CPS Board of Education Officials regarding special education issues.
  • Exposed systemic special education violations in CPS in collaboration with Special Education Advocacy Coalition of Chicago (SPEACC).
  • Collaborated with SPEACC members, CPS Administration, and Illinois State Board of Education to assure compliance under ISBE corrective action.

Parent Educator Partnership Advocate

Chicago Public Schools
05.2013 - 06.2014
  • Assisted families in navigating special education system by providing direct support and written resources.
  • Facilitated communication between parents and educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
  • Documented data and completed accurate updates to parent and school records.

Member and Education Director

Noble Fool Theater Company
04.2001 - 05.2004
  • Developed and implemented dynamic children's theater classes in association with The Art Institute of Chicago's Young Artist Workshop.
  • Taught children's readers theater workshops.
  • Performed in Company productions.

Legal Secretary

Latham & Watkins
06.1997 - 01.2001
  • Diligently assisted two attorneys and one paralegal who specialized in corporate litigation.
  • Communicated graciously and professionally with clients and co-workers
  • Prepared, proofed, organized, and edited correspondence, pleadings, summonses, expense reports, and billing.
  • Managed attorney calendar, including coordinating and scheduling meetings, depositions, travel, and telephone conferences.
  • Organized and maintained complex client and case files.
  • Drafted routine legal correspondence and pleadings for approval and signature.
  • Assisted with preparation of trial materials and documents.

Legal Secretary

Ross & Hardies
06.1991 - 05.1997
  • Prepared legal correspondence and wrote professional letters for legal assistants and attorneys.
  • Created and printed legal documents for attorneys to review, filed same, and electronically preserved updated case record system.
  • Organized and maintained complex client files.
  • Organized files for court proceedings and assisted with preparation of trial materials and documents.
  • Prioritized and handled multiple assignments and maintained firm commitment to deadlines.
  • Planned and organized internal and external events, meetings and conferences.
  • Prepared and processed invoices for attorney billing.
  • Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and colleagues.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Theater

Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL
12.1987

Skills

  • Exceptional Interpersonal Skills
  • Feedback Incorporation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Data Entry Skills
  • Letters and Documentation
  • Court Administrative Processes
  • Transcription
  • Document Proofreading
  • Microsoft Office and Google Suite Applications
  • Case File Preparation
  • Acting and Improvisation
  • Outreach Management

Timeline

Special Education Parent Liaison

Raise Your Hand For Illinois Public Education
01.2019 - 05.2021

Clinical Actor

Simulation And Integrative Learning Institute, UIC
11.2016 - Current

Parent Educator Partnership Advocate

Chicago Public Schools
05.2013 - 06.2014

Member and Education Director

Noble Fool Theater Company
04.2001 - 05.2004

Legal Secretary

Latham & Watkins
06.1997 - 01.2001

Legal Secretary

Ross & Hardies
06.1991 - 05.1997

Bachelor of Arts - Theater

Southern Illinois University

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

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Mary Hughes