Experience

• Evanston/Skokie District 65: Chute Middle School

  Title I Reading Teacher (Read 180)

  I taught reading using the Scholastic Read 180 curriculum to Grade 6 and 7 struggling readers in a small group setting, co-teaching with a Read 180 colleague as well as providing independent instruction of Read 180 along with the district writing and grammar curricula. I continually assessed student progress and needs based on Read 180 reports, daily observations, and various pencil-and-paper assessments, and differentiated instruction appropriately.

• City Colleges of Chicago

  Writing Center Consultant

  Consultants at Truman College's Writing Center provide students with workshops and private, focused lessons in college-level composition. Problems in grammar, organization, argumentation, and sourcing are among some of the challenges we guide our clients through.

• City Colleges of Chicago

  Consultant, Reading Center of Truman College

  I am proud to have been with Truman College's innovative Reading Center since its inception in September of 2014. Our goals are to support both students and faculty as they face literacy challenges. While we specialize in one-on-one tutoring, we also offer student workshops and professional seminars in a wide range of literacy-related topics. I have been thrilled to design and implement these programs, while reaching out to stakeholders within the college and community to assess their most urgent needs. In addition, we offer in depth Evidence Based Reading Inventories to accurately pinpoint our students' strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. We look forward to growing our new News Literacy center in the near future.

• City Colleges of Chicago

  Adjunct Instructor

  Originally hired to teach a combined Reading/Composition course, I now teach Reading and Education courses. My students benefit from instruction in concept mapping, structural analysis, comprehension strategies, vocabulary building, and, of course, summarizing. I use my knowledge of educational psychology, lesson planning, and curriculum design to facilitate my students' reading and composition development. In addition, I provide support to our students, many of whom are first generation college students, as they work through the sometimes difficult realities of pursuing a post-secondary degree. I give my students detailed formative and summative assessment feedback, and help them to develop those skills that will enable them to succeed in the future, in a variety of environments.

• Raintree Academic Mentoring

  Private and Group Tutor

  I tutor school-age clients in K - 8 Reading, composition, and some math, using a system of my own design, which includes periodic assessments and remediation in reading decoding, fluency, and comprehension, as well as math fact fluency and writing proficiency, but which primarily focuses on giving students the tools to strengthen their underlying cognitive skills such as attentional focus, memory, pattern recognition, critical and creative thinking, etc. Extensive communication with parents and students regarding progress, motivation and best practices for improvement is key. I also consult with my clients' classroom teachers to work toward academic success and self-confidence.

• Evanston/Skokie District 65: Orrington Elementary

  Building Substitute

  As a building substitute, I was available on a daily basis to substitute for any absent teacher, grades K-6. I assisted in the two special needs classrooms when no substitute is needed elsewhere in the school. Assigned to co-teach at the kindergarten level January through June 2008, I also assisted with the after school Art Club in 2007-2008. Participating in all staff trainings and meetings, and actively seeking out other professional development opportunities, I learned a great deal from my colleagues at Orrington.

• City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College

  Coordinator, The Reading Center at Truman College

  Jess worked at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College as a Coordinator, The Reading Center at Truman College