Melissa Schaeffer
Tinley Park,Illinois
Summary
Dynamic Special Education Teacher with a proven track record at Orland School District 135, skilled in IEP implementation and behavior intervention strategies. Passionate about enhancing student outcomes through innovative lesson design and collaborative parent engagement. Committed to fostering inclusive learning environments and mentoring staff to elevate educational practices.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Orland School District 135
Orland Park, Illinois
07.2025 - Current
- Implemented behavior management strategies to support classroom learning.
- Collaborated with parents and staff to enhance student outcomes.
- Designed engaging lesson plans aligned with educational standards.
- Utilized assistive technology to aid student learning and communication.
- Facilitated training workshops for staff on special education practices.
- Advocated for students' rights and access to educational resources.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Southwest Cook County Cooperative for Special Education
Oak Forest, IL
06.2015 - 06.2025
- Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
- Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
- Instruct special needs students in academic subjects, using a variety of techniques, such as phonetics, multisensory learning, or repetition to reinforce learning and meet students' varying needs.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Meet with parents or guardians to discuss their children's progress, advise them on using community resources, or teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
- Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
- Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
- Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
- Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
TEACHER ASSISTANT
Summit Hill Junior High School
Frankfort, IL
08.2014 - 06.2015
Education
Master of Arts - Principal Licensure
Concordia University
River Forest, IL05-2026
Masters - Special Education
TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Palos Heights, IL12.2018
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Education
MONMOUTH COLLEGE
Monmouth, IL05-2012
Skills
- Google proficient
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Teacher mentor
- PBIS leadership
- ABLLS-R progress monitor coach
- Learning behavior specialist
- Language arts endorsed (grades 5-8)
- Assistive technology
- Behavior intervention strategies
- Parent engagement
- Team collaboration
- Staff training
- Co-teaching experience
- Visual supports
- IEP implementation
- Curriculum adjustments
- Group and individual instruction
- Special education
- De-escalation techniques
- Life skills instruction
- Learning style assessment
- Trained in CPI
- Behavior intervention plans
- Crisis prevention and intervention
- Data collection
- Assessment strategies
- Individual education plans ieps
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Inclusion strategies
- Student support
Certification
- Learning Behavior Specialist
- Language Arts endorsed (grades 5-8)
Extracurricular Activities
Published Thesis Paper Special Education Tutor Alpha Xi Delta (ΑΞΔ)
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Orland School District 135
07.2025 - Current
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Southwest Cook County Cooperative for Special Education
06.2015 - 06.2025
TEACHER ASSISTANT
Summit Hill Junior High School
08.2014 - 06.2015
Master of Arts - Principal Licensure
Concordia University
Masters - Special Education
TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Education
MONMOUTH COLLEGE