LAURA BERNGEN

lauraberngen@gmail.com
1623 W. 104
th
Place
Chicago IL 60643
(847) 533-7725

Objective Seeking a teaching position where I can utilize my analytical, organizational, communication and
technological skills to help children reach their full potential.

Education
Concordia University Chicago, River Forest IL
Master of Arts in Reading Education with a Reading Specialist Certification
Expected Graduation Date: May of 2015

Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Bachelor of Science in Education May 2009
Dual Certification: Special Education / Elementary Education
Concentration: English
GPA: 3.6 / 4.0

Certification Special Type 10 and Elementary Type 3 Certificate


Teaching Experience
Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School, Chicago IL Special Educator, Spring 2010-
Present
Taught elementary students in mostly grades 1-4 primarily with autism and other low
incidence disabilities.
Created and implemented small group, multi-sensory lessons for students implementing
flexible grouping
Differentiated lessons in math, language arts, social studies and science daily
Designed and implemented IEPs while monitoring each students progress
Collaborated with parents by organizing parent information sessions, home-school
notebooks and phone calls
Created positive behavior interventions and an individualized reward system
Attended professional development on concerning low incidence disabilities including an
24 hour Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Reading Training to help increase phonics
skills in students with disabilities
Implemented Boardmaker and Unique Curriculum pictures to help students
communicate, understand daily schedules while implementing pictures during instruction
Wrote and received four Donors Choose grants for over $1,000.00 to fund basic supplies
and a laser printer
Implemented the use of Smart technology through the Smartboard and Boardmaker
Studio.
Presented at two CPS leadership conferences on the use of Smart technology with
students with Autism
Coached 5-6
th
and 7-8
th
grade girls volleyball and basketball

Perspectives High Charter School, Chicago IL Special Educator, Fall 2009- Spring 2010
Designed and Implemented lessons for students in co-taught english and social studies
classes
Created adaptations and modifications for students for classroom assessments,
assignments and homework assignments
LAURA BERNGEN PAGE 2
lauraberngen@gmail.com


Participated in an Illinois Transition Conference in Schaumburg IL and created a
transition resource for the Special Education Department
Coached varsity and junior varsity girls in track and field while organizing fundraising
activities and spirit wear orders and coaching middle distance runners


Woodland Intermediate School, Gages Lake, IL Student Teacher, Spring 2009
Taught in a variety of settings: cross categorical setting, resource setting, and fourth
grade classroom
Worked with students with physical disabilities, cognitive disorders, learning disabilities,
behavior disorders, and students who were mainstreamed and gifted
Created modifications and adaptations for grades four and five in general education
Taught differentiated learning groups in language arts and math in a self contained setting
Participated in staffing, in-service and IEP meetings
Created a Webquest to correspond with the fourth grade general education curriculum

Carl Sandburg Elementary School, Charleston, IL
Project Wonders of Wisdom Co-Teacher, Fall 2008
Implemented a unit plan that utilized technology in social science lessons including
lessons on smart boards, creating a Podcast, and composing a website focusing on the
teams work over the semester

Mattoon Middle School, Mattoon, IL
Practicum Teacher, Fall 2007
Developed and taught lessons focusing on language arts while constructing a Curriculum-
Based Assessments (CBA), IEP, and Behavior Management Contract for selected
students

Cumberland High School, St. Marys School, and Treatment Learning Center, Toledo,
Mattoon, and Humboldt, IL, Student Assessor, Spring 2007
Administered and scored the Woodcock-Johnson III (W-JIII), Key Math, Standardized
Reading Inventory 2 (SRI-2), Oral and Written Language Scales (OWLS), Dynamic
Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) and created a Curriculum Based
Measurement in math and writing; wrote recommendations based on assessment
summary report (ASR)


Honors Smart Exemplary Educator (2014), Special Education Recognition Award (EIU Special Education
Department) 2006, 2007, 2008, Deans List (Fall 2006)

Related Charleston Transitional Facility, Charleston, IL
Experience Direct Service Personnel, May 2008- December 2008
Helped to facilitate the acquisition of independent living skills for individuals with
moderate to severe mental retardation

Banner Day Camp, Lake Forest, IL
Camp Counselor, Summer 2004- 2009
Practiced effective classroom management skills (positive reinforcements, group
organization) for elementary students in one of the top rated day camps in the Midwest