Abigail Vaughan
Mount Prospect
Summary
Collaborative and equity-driven educator with a strong focus on student-centered learning, data-informed decision making, and building inclusive school communities. Committed to strengthening partnerships between families, staff, and the community to support student growth, engagement, and success.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
K-1 Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
Nelson Elementary School (East Maine District 63)
Niles
08.2024 - Current
- Transferred to the school to support the development and implementation of a new structured teaching self-contained special education program.
- Established classroom systems, routines, and instructional practices aligned with Structured Teaching principles to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities.
- Designed individualized, data-driven instruction based on IEP goals, student strengths, and learning needs.
- Collaborated with administrators, related service providers, and general education staff to develop and refine program procedures and supports.
- Conducted ongoing assessment and progress monitoring to inform instructional decisions and ensure student growth.
- Trained and mentored paraprofessionals in evidence-based instructional strategies, behavior supports, and classroom procedures.
Principal Internship
East Maine District 63
Niles
08.2025 - 05.2026
- Collaborated with the building principal to build leadership capacity aligned to all 8 NELP standards.
- Planned, implemented, and facilitated a year-long multilingual program supporting inclusive student learning.
- Conducted educator observations and evaluations with actionable instructional feedback.
- Designed and delivered professional development on instruction, behavior systems, and data-driven practices.
- Supported implementation of school-wide behavior procedures to promote consistency and positive culture.
- Used student and school data to inform instructional decisions and improvement planning.
- Participated in leadership team meetings and school improvement.initiatives.
- Strengthened family engagement through inclusive programming and communication efforts.
K-2 Self-Contained Teacher
Melzer Elementary School (East Maine District 63)
Morton Grove
08.2021 - 05.2024
- Implemented positive behavior intervention strategies to increase student engagement, communication, and self-regulation skills.
- Developed structured learning environments with visual supports, schedules, task analyses, and work systems to enhance student independence.
- Established communication and partnerships with families to collaboratively address student progress, goals, and program development.
- Supported continuous improvement of school's self-contained special education services through proactive engagement and feedback.
Education
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership-Principal Preperation
Concordia University
Chicago, IL05-2026
Bachelor of Science - Special Education LBS1
Illinois State University
Normal, IL05-2021
Skills
- Individualized instruction
- IEP and BIP implementation
- Positive behavior support
- Family engagement strategies
- Crisis prevention and intervention
- De-escalation techniques
- Data-driven decision-making
- Data management
- Instructional design
Timeline
Principal Internship
East Maine District 63
08.2025 - 05.2026
K-1 Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
Nelson Elementary School (East Maine District 63)
08.2024 - Current
K-2 Self-Contained Teacher
Melzer Elementary School (East Maine District 63)
08.2021 - 05.2024
Master of Arts - Educational Leadership-Principal Preperation
Concordia University
Bachelor of Science - Special Education LBS1
Illinois State University