Current Address: Champaign, IL 61820

Rhea Matar
(630) 456-6458 rheamatar@gmail.com

Permanent Address: Naperville, IL 60540

Objective
To provide dignified and high quality education to students with moderate to severe disabilities at the elementary, middle or high school level.

Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Bachelor of Science in Special Education Expected Graduation: May 2013 GPA: 3.73/4.00

Relevant Experience
Dr. Howard Elementary School Champaign, IL Student Teacher January 2013 - Present Cooperated with the cross categorical special education teacher to provide services for children ages kindergarten through fourth grade with learning and behavioral needs Co-taught 1st grade math with the general education teacher and provided small group instruction for students in reading and math Centennial High School Champaign, IL Practicum Student August 2012 December 2012 Cooperated with the vocational coordinator and traveled throughout the community with students for job and community skills training Developed instructional programs for safe street crossing and independent bus riding in addition to conducting an extensive communication assessment and a Functional Behavioral Analysis Camp Lee Mar Lackawaxen, PA Residential Camp Counselor June 2012 August 2012 Cared for eight young women for 7 weeks at a residential camp for individuals with disabilities Provided individual support and instruction for personal care and social skills Franklin Middle School Champaign, IL Practicum Student January 2012 May 2012 Cooperated with a special education teacher in a math resource class and co-taught reading class instructing 6th grade students with learning and behavior disabilities Developed extensive instructional programs and applied curriculum based assessment for a grammar unit and curriculum based measurement for basic subtraction proficiency Thomas Paine Elementary School Urbana, IL Practicum Student September 2011 December 2011 Cooperated with a special education teacher in a self contained classroom to work on reading and math skills with 2nd and 3rd grade students Developed extensive instructional programs and a behavior management plan to address the special learning needs of two specific students

Leadership
ACCESS Grant Program Champaign/Chicago, IL Participant January 2012 - Present Led a weekly high school art class for six weeks as part of a service learning project that included students with disabilities in the creation of art pieces to be distributed to the community Participated in four full day observations of different Chicago Public School classrooms for students with moderate to severe disabilities at the elementary and high school level Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Alpha Chapter Champaign, IL Inclusive Communities Co-Chairperson August 2011 December 2012 Proposed and passed a series of revisions of the chapters bi-laws to increase accessibility to University students with disabilities who wanted to pledge and become active chapter members Gave a leadership presentation on the removal of the word retard and retarded from daily speech and how to use respectful speech when referring to or talking to people with disabilities Alternative Spring Break Coordinator New Orleans, LA Led 19 University students to the city of New Orleans to do post-Hurricane Katrina community development during the 2011 spring break Coordinated housing, transportation, fundraising, finances and work sites for participants of the trip

Other Work Experience

University of Illinois Dining Services Champaign, IL Student staff, student supervisor September 2009 May 2012 Serve food to students living in the dorms Supervise the student staff and ensure smooth meal preparation and cafeteria closes at the end of the night Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation (CUSR) Champaign, IL Park District Inclusion Aid, CUSR Camp Staff June 2011 - August 2011 Assisted two young boys with autism as an inclusion aid during day camp activities Planned activities and provided personal care supports for youth with moderate to severe disabilities

Naperville Park District Naperville, IL Swim Instructor February 2007 July 2010 Teach beginning level swim lessons to children between the ages of 6 and 8 Lessons were taught daily in the summer and two days a week during the school year

References
Susan Talbott Student Supervisor: UIUC Department of Special Education stalbott@illinois.edu 217-778-0935 Laura Koterba-Buss Vocational Coordinator: Centennial High School, Champaign, IL koterbla@champaignschools.org 217-898-6807