EDUCATION

​

Certification Lamar University 

2023 Principal Certification

 

DSW Aurora University

2020 Doctor of Social Work

Successfully defended March 13, 2020

Dissertation Title: Adverse Childhood Experiences, Adult Attachment, and Empathy in School Social Workers

 

M.S.W. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2008 School of Social Work

 

B. A. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2006 Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences

Sociology & Psychology Dual Major  

 

PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

​

School Social Worker 2008-present
Addison School District 4 Addison, IL
Focus: Provided school-based social work services for early childhood through middle school students

• School social worker for the Addison Early Learning Center (AELC) (2008-2019) and Indian Trail Junior High School from (2019 to present)

• Lead social worker for the school district

• Conducted multidisciplinary play-based evaluations for early childhood students. Focus on autism, intellectual disability, multiple disability, pediatric mental health conditions, and physical disabilities

• Wrote and interpreted social work reports

• Consulted with parents and teachers on behavioral and academic issues 

• Leader on the AELC Individual Problem-Solving Team

• Implemented district wide Erin’s Law from early childhood to middle school

• Served as a member of the school’s positive behavior support (PBS) team to collaborate with teachers to address challenging behaviors in the classroom

• Assisted in district-wide crisis counseling and suicide prevention initiatives 

• Assisted with data collection for functional behavioral assessments of students

• Provided services in classroom settings to students with an individualized education plan

• Served as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking students and families

​

Adjunct Instructor 2023-current

University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC)

Focus: Support and instruct students at all levels in academic research in social work. 

 

Grassroots Political Activist-IEA 2020-current

Illinois Education Association

Focus: Educate, organize, and recruit member activists to accomplish the goals of IEA-IPACE through grassroots political action and policy advocacy efforts.

 

Adjunct Instructor 2017-current

Aurora University

Focus: Support and instruct students at all levels in their academic history in school social work. 

 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker 2016-2022
Right Start Pediatrics DuPage, IL
Focus: Provide early intervention services for families and children from birth to three. 

• Assist families access community services

• Wrote six month updated report on student needs  

• Collaborated with other early intervention therapists

• Assisted families with Medicaid and electing health insurance plans

• Provided play-based therapy to children.

 

Social Service Coordinator   2015-2016
Addison Public Library Addison, IL
Focus: Assisted patrons access community resources 

• Conducted needs assessment for families in the community  

• Collaborated with school district to meet the needs of patrons in the community

• Assisted families with Medicaid, SSI, and Snap benefits

• Provided consultation services for families

• Collaborated with library personnel 

• Presented on mental health to inform library staff

• Served as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking students and families

 

Social Service Coordinator   2010-2011
Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region Elgin, IL
Focus: Assisted families and children with social work support services 

• Created a community resource guide for families in the Elgin area

• Provided individual and group therapy sessions  

• Served as an interpreter for Spanish-speaking students and families

• Assisted families with Medicaid and SSI

• Collaborated with other therapist to meet the needs of the children receiving services

• Conducted parent support groups for families who have a child with a disability.

 

AWARDS RECEIVED

2021 Illinois Education Association Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award

2018 HACU/Cafe Bustelo Scholarship 

​

ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

2017-2023 Illinois Library Association

2015-Present Illinois Association of School Social Workers

2015-Present School Social Work Association of America

2008-Present Illinois Education Association- NEA

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

2025-2031 Board Trustee

College of DuPage

​

Spring 2023 Educational Advisory Committee

Committee Member Appointed by State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock

 

Winter 2022 Ensuring Success in School Task Force

Committee Member Appointed by ISBE

 

Summer 2022 PA 102-0543 Work Group

Committee Member 

 

Fall 2021 Whole Child Taskforce

Committee Member Appointed by ISBE

 

2021-2023 Past-President

Illinois Association of School Social Workers

 

Fall 2019 Make SAFE Taskforce

Committee Member Appointed by ISBE

 

2019-2021 President

Illinois Association of School Social Workers

 

2019-2023 President

Addison Public Library

 

2018-2019 President-Elect

Illinois Association of School Social Workers

 

2017-2023 Library Board Trustee

Addison Public Library