Nick Torresso
Des Plaines,IL
Summary
Dedicated coaching professional with experience driving team success and fostering equitable and collaborative work environments. Skilled in strategic planning, player development, and game analysis. Unique focus on diversity and inclusion in athletics as well as mental health awareness and wellness. Strong leadership and communication abilities, ensuring consistent performance and continuous improvement. In the clasroom, I am an experienced Learning Behavior Specialist with solid background in Special Education, providing tailored instructional strategies for diverse learning needs. Successfully implemented individualized education plans (IEPs) to enhance student engagement and progress. Demonstrated expertise in behavior management and fostering inclusive classroom environments. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Special Education Teacher
Niles Township High School District 219
01.2019 - Current
- As a teacher and case manager, I implement student IEPs, 504 plans, behavior intervention plans, safety plans, and various other interventions in place to increase student leader success
- Maintains a safe and welcoming learning environment for ALL students
- Student culture and background knowledge is accepted and celebrated in all areas of the learning environment
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
- Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Streamlined classroom processes by integrating technology tools such as interactive whiteboards and assistive devices designed for students with disabilities.
- Enhanced students' communication skills by implementing group activities and collaborative projects.
- Evaluated student progress regularly using various assessment methods, ensuring accurate measurement of skill development and areas requiring additional support.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Served as a mentor to new teachers, sharing best practices in special education instruction and classroom management techniques.
Paraprofessional
Township District 211 Higgins Education Center/Schaumburg HS
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Establish and maintain a safe working environment
- Use therapeutic intervention to execute behavior intervention plans for children suffering from various disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders
- Communicate and function as an effective team member with other staff members
- Assist in evaluating and creating goals and objectives as part of student individualized education plan
- (IEP)
Education
M.S. Ed - Special Education, Learning Behavioral Specialist I
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH05.2011
Skills
- Culturally responsive teaching
- Relationship building
- Student wellness and safety
- Leadership
- Extracurricular involvement
- Differentiated Instruction
- Small Group Instruction
- Inclusion Strategies
- Team Collaboration
- Instructional Strategies
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Social Skills Development
- Behavior Modifications
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention
Careeraccomplishments
- Recipient, Chicago Minority Scholarship, Chicago, IL, 09/01/07
- NFL Chicago Bears, Rookie Mini-Camp, Lake Forest, IL, 03/01/11
- Professional Football Player at Arena Football League (AFL), 2011-2015
Accomplishments
- Directed 0-9 high school program in the largest class (8A) in Illinois to two consecutive playoff appearances in only 4 years as head coach.
- Supervised team of 10+ staff members with varying degrees of experience and sports specific knowledge.
- Facilitated school wide culture shift with implementation of philosophy and school specific slogan.
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Special Education Teacher
Niles Township High School District 219
01.2019 - Current
Paraprofessional
Township District 211 Higgins Education Center/Schaumburg HS
01.2012 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology
Bowling Green State University
M.S. Ed - Special Education, Learning Behavioral Specialist I
Northern Illinois University
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