QUENNETTA CHAMBERS

Professional educator with strong leadership capabilities and proven track record in school administration. Known for fostering collaborative environments and driving academic achievement through strategic planning and curriculum development. Adept at managing diverse teams, adapting to evolving educational needs, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality education, and fostering a positive learning environment. Strong organizational and communication skills, focusing on creating positive outcomes for students, staff, and community.

Belle Valley School District Accomplishments:

• Improved building climate/culture as measured by pre/post survey by 75% in six weeks.
• Implemented a new behavior tracking system to track behavior infractions and identify trends in data more effectively.
• Implemented a safety plan for verbal threats of violence involving the school social worker.
• Initiated a plan to revamp the school crisis plan to ensure compliance with best practice.

Cahokia School District Accomplishments:

• A Data Management Secretary position was changed to a Bookkeeper position. This change allowed the department to maximize reimbursement and minimize costs.
• When we took over, there were over 1600 data errors in IEpoint (currently IStar). The final transmission was error-free the following fiscal year and has been since.
• Clerical staff have received data management training, and cross-training has occurred throughout the department. As a result, the district has recouped tens of thousands in ISBE reimbursement.
• Maintenance of Effort findings have been resolved, which has delayed the approval of IDEA grants.
• Before 2013, there were recurring auditing issues. We have not had an auditing issue since 2013.
• Several compliance issues existed prior to 2013, but there have been no compliance issues in the 100% special education-specific areas.
• Developed rubrics for every discipline when Senate Bill 7 was implemented. Continue to review and modify over time to ensure appropriateness. Disciplines included OT, PT, Speech, SW, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, and Nurses.
• Developed and implemented an RTI model that improved differentiated instructional practices to serve all learners better.
• Implemented a weekly case review process to reduce the overidentification of special education students. We reduced our overall percentage of special education students by 4%. Despite our overall enrollment declining, our special education enrollment remained steady.
• Revamped our speech and language program/service delivery at the K-3 level to provide more in-classroom/language-embedded support to foster literacy skills.
• In the past, Medicaid billing was not current, and errors were found in paying TRS from Medicaid funds. These corrections and systems put in place to prevent this from occurring again have resulted in a significant net increase in revenue retained by the District.
• Special Education eligibility criteria were not in line with current IDEA law. The eligibility criteria, procedures, and documents were reconstructed, implemented, and reviewed yearly.
• Reducing suspensions and expulsions has been a targeted goal for the District. We developed a comprehensive professional development plan, which included a day-long PD with a Behavior Specialist, followed by ongoing job-embedded PD and support throughout the school year. The Behavior Specialist’s role was to assist principals in developing strategies for challenging students and to help keep kids in school.
• A Behavior Coach position was also created to assist teachers with classroom management and behavior strategies.

• Type 75 General Administrative
• IL Director of Special Education Endorsement
• Superintendent Endorsement
• IDFPR Speech/Language Pathology License
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence
• Speech Language Pathologist (initially Type 3 and Type 9 but exchanged to Type 73 in 2014)

Awards/Professional Contributions:

2018-2019 Regional and State recipient of The Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE) Trailblazer Award

The recipient of this award exhibits exemplary service to teachers, students, and the administrative team of his/her organization and leads and/or implements innovative practices and approaches, including professional development, curriculum, service delivery, program evaluation, methodology, technology, etc.  I was the recipient of this award for Region 5, and then at the statewide conference, I was chosen as the State recipient for 2018-2019.

2018- 2024  Board Member for Region 5 for Special Education Leadership Academy (SELA)

An ISBE discretionary grant funds SELA, and its purpose is to provide professional learning and opportunities aligned to the needs of special education leaders.  In this role, I am responsible for planning and implementing professional development of cost-effective professional learning opportunities for education professionals in Region 5 in the State of Illinois.  The topics covered include any area of special education that can assist administrators in fulfilling their daily responsibilities.

2020 to present Evidence-Based Funding Professional Review Panel member

The position was selected solely by Dr. Carmen Ayala. The Evidence-Based Funding Professional Review Panel comprises practitioners, experts, legislative leaders, and advocates tasked with reviewing the first year of the state's historic funding reform implementation, as mandated by Public Act 100-0465. In addition, the panel will recommend continual recalibration and other modifications to Evidence-Based Funding to meet the needs of all students in Illinois.