Nina Ntsimi
Decatur,Illinois
Summary
Accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in human services and education, specializing in youth and family support. Expertise in building strong relationships with clients and colleagues, alongside advanced skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution. Achieved significant reductions in behavioral referrals and enhanced student engagement through innovative strategies. Committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive educational environment while strengthening community partnerships.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Long Term Substitue Teacher
Decatur Public Schools/ROE #39
Decatur , IL
04.2024 - Current
- Implements conflict resolution strategies to effectively manage student disputes.
- Develops lesson plans that aligned with curriculum standards and addressed student needs.
- Maintaines safe, orderly learning environments by enforcing school rules rigorously.
- Administers standardized tests according to state guidelines and regulations.
- Encourages critical thinking through engaging discussions and thought-provoking questions.
- Manages classroom dynamics to foster productive learning experiences.
- Participates in parent-teacher conferences, discussing student progress and addressing concerns.
- Fosters positive relationships, creating conducive laearning atmospheres for all students.
Child Protection Specialist/Investigator
State of Illinois/DCFS
Decatur, Illinois
08.2023 - 02.2024
- Investigated reports of child abuse and neglect within mandated time limits; assessed children's immediate safety and initiated protection measures (safety plans, protective custody) to mitigate risk.
- Conducted interviews with alleged victims, perpetrators, other members of the household and witnesses, making related final determinations (allegations indicated or unfounded).
- Collaborated with law enforcement and state attorney on cases, preparing documentation for custody and shelter hearings to support legal proceedings.
- Coordinated counseling and case management services for families to address needs and enhance support.
Elementary Substitute Teacher
Decatur Public School 61
Decatur, Illinois
12.2019 - 05.2023
- Decreased behavioral referrals by 13% while increasing homework completion by 27% through relationship building and innovative lesson planning.
- Enhanced student engagement via real-world applications, group work, technology integration, and educational games.
- Collaborated with intervention teams, parents, and administrators to improve academic achievement and address behavioral issues.
- Spearheaded student mentoring and tutoring programs to boost academic performance and extracurricular participation.
- Implemented evidence-based classroom management strategies, including student-led initiatives for diverse needs.
- Improved reading fluency and comprehension by 18% through targeted strategies developed in partnership with a reading specialist.
- Built positive relationships with parents to strengthen support systems for students at school and home.
- Recognized for utilizing diverse teaching methods, achieving 90% positive feedback from over 20 educators.
Behavioral Interventionist
Decatur Public School 61
Decatur, Illinois
02.2022 - 05.2022
- Improved student behavior and engagement by 36% through working closely with students in developing personalized behavior management plans in collaboration with school administrators, social workers, teachers, and parents/guardians, addressing disciplinary infractions.
- Counseled and supported students with behavioral challenges, enhancing classroom self-regulation by developing and implementing new teaching and behavior management strategies and facilitating techniques with teachers and school staff while teaching social and emotional learning curriculum.
- Developed and implemented data models of alternative communication intervention strategies, increasing student communication by 12%.
Community Outreach Counselor
Illinois HEALS
Decatur, Illinois
08.2020 - 12.2020
- Spearheaded strategic planning, program development, and marketing of new grant, Illinois HEALS, funded by Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, addressing the needs of young victims and their families impacted by trauma and violence, providing resources.
- Coordinated prevention and intervention services, including victim advocacy, case management, and assessments, while developing tailored treatment plans for individuals and families.
- Executed research and analyzed data to identify accessibility gaps and barriers, establishing community partnerships and utilizing social media to enhance program outreach.
- Supported clients in accessing state and federal programs, recommending services and providing compensation to victims and families affected by violent crimes, including financial assistance for out-of-pocket expenses.
Admissions and Records Officer
University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
07.2018 - 10.2018
- Collaborated with Admissions, Financial Aid, and additional departments to support transfer student admissions, reviewing daily and weekly transfer credit change reports, certifying transcripts for accuracy, grade changes, repeats, and credits.
- Processed incoming/outgoing student transcripts to enhance transcript efficiency, minimizing duplication while inputting data into degree audit system using multiple programs.
- Delivered customer service to students and the public on college admissions and records policies, ensuring clear communication of requirements and procedures.
Assistant Director of Residential Treatment Services
Webster-Cantrell Hall
Decatur, Illinois
09.2015 - 03.2017
- Led and directed supervision to 4 program supervisors, ensuring management of programs in accordance with leadership objectives, organizational mission, policies, practices, budgets, and agency guidelines, propelling high-quality service to clients and community.
- Decreased priority level of Residential Boys Program from high priority, Level 4, to Level 2, by the State of Illinois, in less than 2 years through department and program restructuring, increasing programming for youth, off-grounds schooling, increasing vocational opportunities, and increasing staff development and training.
- Utilized a team-based approach in providing treatment, inclusive of collaboration with clinicians, nurses, probation, and DCFS to coordinate client services to successfully transition youth out of programming and into independent living or family reunification.
- Implemented system and process improvements, collaborating with HR Director and COO in employee recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training.
- Broadened collaborative partnerships through outreach, increasing volunteer engagement by 30% and enhancing educational and vocational programming through collaboration with schools, universities, and businesses.
- Increased staff attendance in bi-weekly direct care staff team meetings by 25% through mandatory attendance requirements and fostering employee cohesion with shoutouts and incentives.
- Restructured new employee orientation, developing and implementing a three-day management training for new shift supervisors on effective supervision, policy, procedures, and milieu programming.
Program Manager
Webster-Cantrell Hall
Decatur, Illinois
05.2015 - 09.2015
Lead Parent Educator
Prevention Initiative Program
Decatur, Illinois
08.2014 - 05.2015
Mental Health Counselor
Webster-Cantrell Hall
Decatur, Illinois
01.2008 - 05.2014
Teaching Assistant
Decatur Public School 61
Decatur, Illinois
11.2004 - 12.2010
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership And Management
University of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL12-2026
Master of Arts - Organizational Leadership
UMass Global
Irvine, CaliforniaBachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, IllinoisAssociate of Arts -
Richland Community College
Decatur, IllinoisSkills
- Child Mental Health Awareness
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Crisis intervention
- Behavioral assessment
- Suicide prevention
- Assessment Skills
- Policy Implementation
- Program Development
- Outreach
- Community outreach
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning
- Coordination Skills
- Workload Management
- Analytical Skills
- Diagnostic Skills
- Confidentiality practices
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Safety planning
- Client Service Orientation
- Team collaboration
- Leadership Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Problem-solving
- Therapeutic intervention
- Conflict resolution
- Communication skills
- Therapeutic intervention
- Program development
- Behavior management
Timeline
Long Term Substitue Teacher
Decatur Public Schools/ROE #39
04.2024 - Current
Child Protection Specialist/Investigator
State of Illinois/DCFS
08.2023 - 02.2024
Behavioral Interventionist
Decatur Public School 61
02.2022 - 05.2022
Community Outreach Counselor
Illinois HEALS
08.2020 - 12.2020
Elementary Substitute Teacher
Decatur Public School 61
12.2019 - 05.2023
Admissions and Records Officer
University of Illinois at Springfield
07.2018 - 10.2018
Assistant Director of Residential Treatment Services
Webster-Cantrell Hall
09.2015 - 03.2017
Program Manager
Webster-Cantrell Hall
05.2015 - 09.2015
Lead Parent Educator
Prevention Initiative Program
08.2014 - 05.2015
Mental Health Counselor
Webster-Cantrell Hall
01.2008 - 05.2014
Teaching Assistant
Decatur Public School 61
11.2004 - 12.2010
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership And Management
University of Illinois At Springfield
Master of Arts - Organizational Leadership
UMass Global
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Illinois at Springfield
Associate of Arts -
Richland Community College