Program and Curriculum Developer
Mount Olive College
Total years of experience :30 years, 9 Months
Highlights:
• Supported schools, both collectively and individually, to build leadership capacity and capability for ongoing teaching of adolescent literacy in a variety of settings.
• Provided a customized response to literacy strategies and delivered comprehensive professional development programs in liaison with other curriculum leaders.
Key Responsibilities:
• Identified primary thrust areas of academic improvement by evaluating current needs and student demand analysis as well as implemented strategic plans in the classroom using technology supported instructions.
• Developing processes and systems which underpin effective leadership and pursuing a unique model for the management and delivery of exemplary classroom instruction with a deep understanding of technology and curriculum integration.
• Managing the development and delivery of strategies to enhance the quality of education in coordination with students, teachers and educational departments.
• Designing a variety of diverse programs for technology and curriculum integration in subject contents including the provision of online resources to support teaching methods.
• Proffering full support to technology supported instructions by applying best practice teaching strategies in the classroom and organizing professional development to all teachers to improve technology supported instruction.
• Identifying success criteria to determine successful completion and mastery of desired results by conducting periodic trainings and staff development activities to promote a culture of fruitful learning at the department.
• Managing and maintaining relationships and strengthening family and school ties by engaging families through school website and in person.
• Facilitating improvements for teaching and learning and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils by promoting positive interaction with school personnel.
• Ascertaining conformance of learning interventions delivered to academic standards and devising strategies to overcome bottlenecks in learning and development.
Designation Chronology:
• Apr 2003 - Aug 2005: Field Service Manager
• Sept 1995 - Mar 2003: Public Service Administrator
• Aug 1993 - Aug 1995: Child Welfare Specialist II
Joined as Child Welfare Specialist II and progressed within the organization to handle higher responsibilities as Public Service Administrator and Field Service Manager.
Highlights:
• Bestowed with pluck awards for best practice and quality improvement in the State of Illinois, Cook South, twice.
• Provided strategic inputs in drafting the draft policy and procedure for a period of two years, 2001-2003, finalized the draft based on Best Practice.
• Chaired the Site quality improvement committee at Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at Cook South Region and instrumental for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services team to accomplish accreditation of a site.
Responsibilities as Field Service Manager:
• Successfully delivered and recorded all standard clinical services offered, contributed to State Department Rules and Procedure reviews for protecting and improving the nation’s health.
• Spearheaded a team of 6 Public Service Administrators for delivering direct clinical services and ascertained they are well trained and strictly adhere to organizational procedures.
• Provided quality service by effectively leading multi-discipline clinical professionals child and family team meeting while upholding organizational values at all times.
• Developed appropriate operational policies, strategies and procedures, in light of the ever changing external needs and environment.
• Undertook regular monitoring, review and analysis of data using State SACWIS technology, prepared field report using field service data and delivered it management team for review.
• Ensured that the diversity of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services programs, in their capabilities and resources and appeared before the court and provided clarifications on department policy and procedure.
• Ensured that all service plans possess a clear alignment with the organization strategic vision, mission and approach.
• Participated in independent Living Programs for Adolescent and Young Adult Programs in addition to coordinating with private agencies for resource management.
Responsibilities as Public Service Administrator
• Administered the Children and Family Services Department through a team of seven Child Welfare Specialists and coordinated the work of staff including supervision and evaluation, training and team building within assigned programs.
• Provided clinical supervision to individual Child Welfare Specialists and supervised assigned services and programs provided by the agency.
• Improved work processes, efficiency, and quality, evaluated comprehensive social assessment and service plans in supports of mission, vision, policies and procedures.
• Participated in management meetings and functions and led child, youth, and family team.
• Kept up-to-date on information and technology affecting functional area to increase program effectiveness and ensure compliance and collected field data and prepared report using SACIWIS State Technology.
• Provided initial and ongoing assessment of program needs and resources through quality improvement activities and best practice.
• Chaired Quality assurance committee and provided representation and consultation with other outside professionals to facilitate coordination, collaboration and cooperation between the agency and the community.
Responsibilities as Child Welfare Specialist II:
• Provided a variety of child welfare services to 54 children, youth, and their families, based on comprehensive assessment of their needs.
• Established working relationships with children and families, and monitored progress of children, youth and families in the services.
• Served as the agency liaison and submitted progress report to the court along with recommendations as well as updated departmental database on assigned cases.
• Reviewed and approved routine correspondence; compiled and reported caseload statistics on weekly basis to team supervisor using SACWIS technology.
• Provided supportive counseling and other supportive services for clients and arranged for the provision of services from community resources based on the case plan.
• Attended all clinical staffing regarding children, youth, and families and set case plan goals/objectives in family team conferences and agency staffing.
• Assured positive outcomes with regards to children’s and families’ well-being; including physical and mental health issues and eliminated the underlying conditions with a potential in out of home placement of children and youth.
• Developed treatment plans for parents to build protective capacities and strengthen families; Implemented timely permanency plans for children that ensure placement stability and meet requirements of established laws.
Other Professional Experiences;
• Apr 1989 - Mar 1993: Rehabilitation Coordinator, Abraham Lincoln Center, (Chicago Illinois US)
- Designed a rehabilitation program and directed medical and psychological testing for individual clients.
• May 1983- Apr 1989: Principal of Amba High School, Ethiopian Ministry of Education. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
- Established a high school in the rural Ethiopia.
- Advocated for the reintegration of orphans from Amba, the largest orphan hood in Africa, with relatives and foster parents.
- Coached the relief and rehabilitation teams in rural Ethiopia to tackle families displaced because of drought and war.
Other Trainings & Certifications: • Advanced Skill of Clinical Supervision: University of Illinois, School of Social Work • Certified Practicing Trainer/Best Practice: Illinois Department of Children and family Services • Cross-cultural, Educational Enrichment Program: Loyola University, Council of international Program