REBECCA WADDELL
Special Education
Pawnee,IL
Summary
Flexible and caring special education professional specialized in the field. Customizes approaches based on individual needs and deficits. Focuses on helping students build important skills for physical and mental issues impacting academic performance, social integration or physical capabilities. Compassionate in helping with struggles and adapting approaches. Knowledgeable of working special education laws. Understanding and implementation of FAPE and LRE.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work History
Special Education Teacher
BCSD 5
Springfield, IL
08.2024 - Current
- Provides education to students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment, following mainstreaming and inclusion: co-taught Math; direct instruction math; direct instruction history; resource.
- Case manager to 15+ students with disabilities. IEP development and implementation. Survey level screening. Progress monitoring.
Special Education Teacher
Vision of Hope
Springfield, IL
08.2021 - 07.2024
- Implemented behavior management systems that promote positive behaviors.
- Instructed special education classes using evidence-based practices.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Developed and implemented individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Monitored the educational progress of each student according to established timelines.
Paraprofessional
Ball-Chatham School District
Chatham, IL
01.2021 - 07.2021
- Helped implement behavior management strategies for individual students.
- Utilized effective communication strategies when interacting with diverse populations.
- Created and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Supervised small groups of students during instruction time.
- Applied positive reinforcement to redirect negative behaviors.
Office Manager and Instructor
Music Therapy Connections
03.2016 - 03.2020
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning, escalating major problems to manager.
- Kept high average of performance evaluations.
- Implemented project management techniques to overcome obstacles and increase team productivity.
- Delegated tasks to administrative support staff to organize and improve office efficiency.
- Managed supervisor itinerary and appointments and streamlined scheduling procedures.
Adjunct Professor
Lincoln Land Community College
05.2018 - 03.2020
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework, and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
Adjunct Professor
Richland Community College
08.2006 - 07.2008
- Created excitement and enthusiasm in classroom by delivering engaging subject matter.
- Taught [Area of expertise] courses, providing instruction to up to [Number] undergraduate students.
- Created syllabus and instructional plans for each class session in accord with stated course objectives.
- Developed curriculum standards, lesson plans and syllabi.
Education
Director of Special Education - Administration And Leadership
09.2025 - Current
- 4.0 GPA
Master of Arts in Education - Elementary Education
01.2007
- Relevant Coursework: LBS1 Endorsement
- 3.95 GPA
Master of Music - Music Composition
01.2003
Bachelor of Music - Music Theory
01.2001
Skills
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Motivating students
- Excellent classroom management
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Student records management
- Classroom integration
- Life skills instruction
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Individual education plans (IEPs)
- Collaborative teamwork
- Instructional strategies
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Curriculum adjustments
- Trained in CPI
- Non-violent crisis intervention
- Evidence-based assessment
- Special education
- De-escalation techniques
- Transition planning
- Parent communication
- National education association
- Data collection
- Small group instruction
- Behavior intervention plans
- Differentiated instruction
Certification
- PEL, 1838076
- IEIN, 720650
- LBS1 Certification
- Director of Special Education - pending
Personal Information
ID Number: PEL 1838076
Timeline
Concordia University-Chicago - Director of Special Education, Administration And Leadership
09.2025 - Current
Special Education Teacher - BCSD 5
08.2024 - Current
Special Education Teacher - Vision of Hope
08.2021 - 07.2024
Paraprofessional - Ball-Chatham School District
01.2021 - 07.2021
Adjunct Professor - Lincoln Land Community College
05.2018 - 03.2020
Office Manager and Instructor - Music Therapy Connections
03.2016 - 03.2020
Adjunct Professor - Richland Community College
08.2006 - 07.2008
Central Michigan University - Master of Music, Music Composition
Illinois State University - Bachelor of Music, Music Theory
University of Phoenix - Master of Arts in Education, Elementary Education