Hello! My name is Ms. Wendy and I am currently a Teacher Assistant and Teacher in a 5-6 grade Autism Classroom. I grew up in Downers Grove, and then returned to the area after college and lived in Chicago for several years. I have experience teaching in 2 - 8th grade over the past 10 years, and my favorite subject is math. I graduated with my BS in Operations Management and Management Information Systems, with a minor in Applied Statistics from NIU in 1996. I jumped right into the workforce as an IT consultant helping to code and execute the life cycle of IT projects for various industries. I achieved my MBA with an emphasis in IT in 2002, taking classes while working predominantly in the financial services industry managing IT projects for the brokerage side of the business. Once my 2 daughters were born, I decided to retire for a few years to take care of my family. Once they were in school, I volunteered often, which paved the way for me to seek my Paraprofessional and Substitute teaching certificates. I subbed in the elementary school district and the Special Education Co-op for 2 years before obtaining a full-time Teaching Assistant job with the Special Education Co-op. I have now been teaching full-time at various grade levels for the past 8 years and enjoy it immensely! In addition, I enjoy cooking and working out with my daughters when they are not busy with their dance, cheer, and theater activities! We also enjoy the company of our dog, Maxx, and a bunny, Freddie.

Seeing students grow their skills and become confident in being able to independently complete their work is very rewarding! Every child may need a different teaching style and pace, and it is my goal to ensure I am always researching and evolving methods to be able to help the wide variety of students I teach. Each child is unique and capable of learning and succeeding! You can often hear me tell my students ‘That is amazing that you were able to grow your brain with that new knowledge!’ I am a very positive teacher, with many tools for engagement and learning in my toolbox! I am excited to begin my career with JAM teaching and to have the opportunity to work with each individual child to meet their needs.

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