Shelly Parsons
St. Anne,IL
Summary
Experienced educational leader with a strong background in school administration, special education leadership, and program development. Proven ability to supervise and evaluate staff, manage school operations, and implement systems that support student achievement and compliance. Skilled in fostering collaborative school cultures, supporting instructional improvement, and partnering with families and community stakeholders to enhance student outcomes.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Administrator
Southern Will County Cooperative for Special Education (SOWIC)
Illinois
01.2024 - Current
- Provide leadership and oversight for specialized programs serving students with significant communication, behavioral, and developmental needs.
- Supervise staff and support implementation of effective instructional practices and behavior supports.
- Facilitate collaboration among multidisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate student programming and compliance with IDEA.
- Support program development and continuous improvement initiatives.
Special Education Coordinator
Rockdale School District
Rockdale, IL
01.2024 - Current
- Coordinate district-wide special education services and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Facilitate IEP meetings and collaborate with administrators, staff, and families to support student success.
- Provide guidance to staff regarding instructional accommodations, behavior interventions, and service delivery.
- Monitor program effectiveness and support implementation of district initiatives.
Director of Special Services
Herscher Community Unit School District #2
Herscher, IL
01.2013 - 01.2024
- Led district-wide special education services across multiple schools.
- Supervised and evaluated approximately seventy staff including teachers, related service providers, and paraprofessionals.
- Managed IDEA funding, grant applications, and program budgets.
- Provided professional development and instructional support to improve staff effectiveness and student outcomes.
- Collaborated with district leadership on policy development, compliance, and school improvement initiatives.
Assistant Principal of Special Services
Lincoln County School District #2
Afton, WY
01.2005 - 01.2013
- Coordinated special education services while supporting building-level administration.
- Supervised and evaluated both general and special education staff.
- Managed student discipline, testing accommodations, and implementation of school policies.
- Facilitated Professional Learning Communities and supported instructional improvement.
Principal
Rangely School District
Rangely, CO
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Directed daily operations of a middle school serving grades 6-8.
- Supervised staff, managed school budget, and coordinated curriculum and assessment programs.
- Implemented school policies, addressed student discipline, and maintained strong family and community relationships.
- Led school improvement initiatives and ensured a safe and structured learning environment.
Itinerant Special Education Teacher
Northeast Kansas Education Service Center
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Provided direct instruction, developed IEPs, and implemented individualized programming for students with diverse learning needs.
Interrelated Special Education Teacher
Atchison School District
01.1997 - 01.2000
- Provided direct instruction, developed IEPs, and implemented individualized programming for students with diverse learning needs.
Special Education Teacher
Manhattan-Ogden School District
01.1988 - 01.1995
- Provided direct instruction, developed IEPs, and implemented individualized programming for students with diverse learning needs.
Special Education Teacher
The Hope School
01.1986 - 01.1987
- Provided direct instruction, developed IEPs, and implemented individualized programming for students with diverse learning needs.
Education
Master of Arts - Education Administration
Benedictine College
Atchison, KansasBachelor of Science - Special Education
MacMurray College
Jacksonville, IllinoisSkills
- Leadership Expertise
- Instructional Leadership
- Staff Supervision & Evaluation
- School Operations & Management
- Student Discipline & Behavior Systems
- Special Education Leadership & Compliance
- Curriculum & Assessment Coordination
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
- School Improvement Planning
- Family & Community Engagement
- Budget & Resource Management
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Collaborative School Culture Building
- Strong Communication
- Special Education Law Knowledge
- Team Leadership
- Instructional Practice Improvement
- Balancing Student Needs
- Staff Support
- Operational Demand Management
Affiliations
- Illinois Association of Administrators of Special Education
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Certification
Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), Administrative & Special Education (Additional endorsements available upon request)
Timeline
Program Administrator
Southern Will County Cooperative for Special Education (SOWIC)
01.2024 - Current
Special Education Coordinator
Rockdale School District
01.2024 - Current
Director of Special Services
Herscher Community Unit School District #2
01.2013 - 01.2024
Assistant Principal of Special Services
Lincoln County School District #2
01.2005 - 01.2013
Principal
Rangely School District
01.2003 - 01.2005
Itinerant Special Education Teacher
Northeast Kansas Education Service Center
01.2000 - 01.2003
Interrelated Special Education Teacher
Atchison School District
01.1997 - 01.2000
Special Education Teacher
Manhattan-Ogden School District
01.1988 - 01.1995
Special Education Teacher
The Hope School
01.1986 - 01.1987
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
MacMurray College
Master of Arts - Education Administration
Benedictine College
Professional Development
- Professional Learning Communities - DuFour
- Learning by Doing - DuFour
- Charlotte Danielson Teacher Evaluation Training
- The Mandt System Training
- Certified A.L.I.C.E. Trainer
- Therapeutic Play-Based Assessment Training
- LRP National Institute
- Model Schools Conference
- IAASE Annual Conference
Leadership Expertise
- Instructional Leadership
- Staff Supervision & Evaluation
- School Operations & Management
- Student Discipline & Behavior Systems
- Special Education Leadership & Compliance
- Curriculum & Assessment Coordination
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
- School Improvement Planning
- Family & Community Engagement
- Budget & Resource Management
- Data-Driven Decision Making