Hillary Carlson
Buffalo Grove
Summary
Passionate and dedicated Spanish bilingual and ESL educator with 16 years of experience serving linguistically and culturally diverse students in grades K–8. SIOP and WIDA trained, with a strong foundation in literacy instruction, and seeking a Reading Specialist role.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Bilingual Resource Teacher
Central Road Elementary School
Rolling Meadows
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Taught fifth-grade social studies and science in students’ native language, aligning instruction with grade-level standards, and supporting students’ transition into English-only classroom settings.
- Delivered scaffolded writing instruction to English learners to support language development, clarity of expression, and grade-level writing expectations.
- Collaborated with teachers to support language acquisition strategies.
- Administered ACCESS assessments for English learners in grades K-6.
Spanish and Exploratory Languages Teacher
East Maine District 63
Des Plaines
08.2021 - 06.2023
- Facilitated engaging comprehensible input-based Spanish lessons using the TPRS instructional model for students in grades 7 and 8
- Designed inquiry-based lessons to enhance student knowledge of culture, geography and world languages with a focus on Spanish, French, and German
Dual Language 4th Grade Teacher
East Maine District 63
Des Plaines
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Developed and integrated lessons in English and Spanish for all content areas
- Utilized the Literacy Squared model to foster biliteracy and promote metalinguistic awareness within and across languages
- Participated in the dual language improvement committee
Bilingual Resource Teacher
East Maine District 63
Des Plaines
08.2008 - 08.2019
- Differentiated instruction for a culturally and linguistically diverse student population
- Scaffolded instruction in content areas utilizing SIOP strategies including total physical response (TPR), frontloading vocabulary, providing sentence frames, and translanguaging
- Administered W-APT and ACCESS tests and maintained student records
- Provided special education services to Spanish speaking students in collaboration with the IEP case manager
- Facilitated the transition of newcomers and their families, including refugees and students with interrupted schooling from diverse backgrounds
- Planned and led English conversation nights with parents to promote family engagement and inclusion
Education
ESD- Reading Specialist - Reading
National Louis University
Chicago, IL04-2026
Master’s - Curriculum and Instruction ESL Specialization
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Education
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois, IL12-2007
Skills
- Bilingual instruction (Spanish)
- Differentiated instruction
- Cultural competence
- Orton-Gillingham Basic Language Training (in progress)
Timeline
Bilingual Resource Teacher
Central Road Elementary School
08.2023 - 05.2024
Spanish and Exploratory Languages Teacher
East Maine District 63
08.2021 - 06.2023
Dual Language 4th Grade Teacher
East Maine District 63
08.2019 - 08.2021
Bilingual Resource Teacher
East Maine District 63
08.2008 - 08.2019
ESD- Reading Specialist - Reading
National Louis University
Master’s - Curriculum and Instruction ESL Specialization
American College of Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
Illinois State University