Lauren T.

Griffin
Email: laurengriffin622@gmail.com 1121 W. George St. Unit 2
Cell: 847-271-2746 Chicago, IL 60657

EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Anticipated August 2014
Master of Education in Special Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign May 2010
Bachelor of Science in Psychology

CERTIFICATIONS
Illinois Special Education Teaching Certification LBS-1 (K-21), Type 10 Initial Anticipated June 2014

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Anticipated May 2015

FIELD EXPERIENCE
New Field Elementary January 2014-May 2014
Student Teacher, 8 hours/day for 13 weeks; Chicago, IL
Taught functional academics and life skills to ten students in a K-3
rd
grade low-incidence classroom
Took over role of lead teacher including delivering instruction, managing behavior, supervising paraprofessionals,
collaborating with other service providers, communicating with parents, and overseeing the classroom
Conducted an in-service on systematic instruction for paraprofessionals to ensure consistency of instruction
Participated in five IEP meetings and all parent-teacher conferences
Monitored student progress on IEP goals and behavior plans and made data-based decisions to guide instruction

Centennial High School August 2013-December 2013
Practicum Student, 4 hours/day for 16 weeks; Champaign, IL
Created and delivered a U.S. History unit to prepare students for the required Constitution test
Conducted a functional behavior assessment and created an intervention plan to address a students challenging behavior
Facilitated whole class and small group discussions and activities in co-taught English and World History classes

Westview Elementary January 2013-May 2013
Practicum Student, 3 hours/day for 16 weeks; Champaign, IL
Led three Tier 2 Response-to-Intervention reading groups to struggling readers in first through fifth grade using Leveled
Literacy Intervention and Corrective Reading
Progress monitored students letter recognition, letter sound recognition, fluency, and comprehension using AIMSweb
Completed a Longitudinal Curriculum Plan to identify and address appropriate curriculum areas to target with a student
Worked one-to-one on functional life skills with a third grade student with autism

Mahomet-Seymour Junior High October 2012-December 2012
Practicum Student, 2 hours/day for 10 weeks; Mahomet, IL
Led small group lessons in math and reading to sixth and seventh grade students in a resource room
Taught students to decode multi-syllabic words using Reading Rewards
Designed and implemented two academic instructional programs and a behavior management plan

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
Spectrum Center Schools and Programs September 2010-May 2012
Instructor Level II; San Francisco, CA
Implemented curriculum and behavioral intervention strategies consistent with each students IEP goals and PBIP
Provided crisis intervention to escalating behaviors using PRO-ACT behavior techniques and prioritizing safety concerns
Analyzed student progress on IEP goals and behavior in monthly data book reviews and quarterly progress reports
Made data based decisions regularly to guide academic instruction and behavior interventions

The Autism Program (TAP) August 2012-December 2012
Intern; Urbana, IL
Created visual schedules, social stories, and adapted literacy for teachers and parents using Boardmaker software
Provided information to families about autism spectrum disorder and evidence-based practices
Participated in two family consultations

Northwest Special Recreation Association May 2008-August 2009
Camp Counselor; Rolling Meadows, IL
Facilitated daily activities and weekly field trips for individuals with developmental disabilities
Initiated communication with parents on a weekly basis to touch base

RESEARCH & GRANT EXPERIENCE
Field Seminar & Thesis Study August 2013-May 2014
University of Illinois Department of Special Education
Researched and wrote a comprehensive review of the literature on bullying in the context of special education
Developed, carried out, and presented an independent research project on special education teachers understandings and
perceptions of bullying and its effects on students with severe disabilities

IEP Quality Project August 2013-December 2013
University of Illinois Department of Special Education
Scored the quality of IEPs for students with high-incidence disabilities as part of a grant-funded project aiming to improve
the quality of IEPs and increase standards-based achievement

Accessing Curriculum in Education Settings for All Students (ACCESS) January 2013-January 2014
University of Illinois Department of Special Education
Worked with students with severe disabilities during two 2-day externships in the Chicago Public Schools
Co-taught a 6-week arts-based inclusive service learning project at a high school in Rantoul, IL

Center for Education in Small Urban Communities January 2013-May 2013
University of Illinois Department of Education
Transcribed school administrator interviews as part of a research study to determine the Centers effectiveness and impact
in local schools

ACTIVITIES & OTHER EXPERIENCE
Alexian Brothers Mental Health Center May 2009-August 2009
Arlington Heights, IL
Facilitated group activities including games, meals, and group discussions with adults with mental illnesses such as
depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder

Volunteer Petn December 2008-May 2010
San Andrs, Petn, Guatemala, Central America
International Impact Executive Board Recruitment Chair, University of Illinois
Recruited students to become active members of a student-run international volunteer organization on campus
Planned and led informational meetings to educate students about the different programs
Taught English language and skills to Guatemalan children and facilitated educational activities in the community library

Piano Teacher June 2004-August 2008
Glenview, IL
Mentored younger musicians in a private piano studio and taught piano skills and music theory
Won multiple piano competitions throughout Illinois
Performed a recital at the Honolulu Academy of Arts in Hawaii, performed live on a televised music program

E-PORTFOLIO
Website: laurengriffinteachingportfolio.weebly.com

REFERENCES
Linette Roman
Cooperating Teacher
New Field Elementary, Chicago Public Schools
773-780-1401
lroman13@cps.edu

Dr. Yvonne Carey
University Supervisor, Professor of Special Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
773-350-4746
ycarey@illinois.edu


Dr. Lisa Monda-Amaya
Professor of Special Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
217-333-0260
lmonda@illinois.edu

Hayley Garr
Supervisor at Spectrum Center in San Francisco
Program Director & BCBA, Coryell Autism Center
805-603-3441
hayleygarr@gmail.com