Rhea Marie Matar

matar1@illinois.edu

Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Bachelor of Science in Special Education Deans List: Spring 2011 Expected Graduation: May 2013 GPA: 3.64/4.00

Relevant Experience
Franklin Middle School Champaign, IL Practicum Student January 2012 Present Cooperated with a special education teacher in a math resource class and co-taught reading class teaching 6th grade students with learning 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 to address the special learning needs of two specific students 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 by providing one on one attention to the child when their meltdowns or nervous habits (e.g. nose picking, hand chewing) prevented them from positive social interactions and overall camp involvement Aid for participants ages 11-21 at CUSRs camp for persons with disabilities, which included planning activities and providing supports for any personal care needs (feeding, toileting, etc)

Best Buddies at the University of Illinois Champaign, IL College Buddy September 2009 - Present Best Buddies is an international, nonprofit organization that was created to promote one-to-one friendships, employment opportunities and leadership development for people with cognitive disabilities Participate in activities such as bowling, pumpkin picking, holiday parties and dinner outings with my buddy and other college students and buddies that live in the community Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club After School Program Champaign, IL Volunteer February 2011-April 2011 Developed a pen pal program between the elementary aged participants of the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club and college students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Managed a friendly after school environment two days a week for children in the 1st grade room by helping with homework, reading books and playing games

Leadership
Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Alpha Chapter Inclusive Communities Co-Chairperson Champaign, IL August 2011 - Present

 Proposed 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 and work sites for the participants of the trip Camp Tuck Hartland, WI Camp Counselor/Head Cabin Counselor Summer 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 Collaborated with two other counselors to lead and provide 24/7 care for the 15 6th-8th grade girls in one of eight camp cabins during the weeklong, overnight camp Facilitated leadership talks and activities to inspire confidence and good character which were integrated into days full of pool, lake, campfires, arts and crafts, dance and many other camp happenings

Other Work Experience

University of Illinois Dining Services Champaign, IL Student staff, student supervisor September 2009 Present 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 Legends Bar and Grill Champaign, IL Waitress, kitchen staff June 2011 December 2011 Prepare food in the kitchen and closing the kitchen at the end of the night Accommodate a friendly and sociable dining experience by providing quality customer service and adhering to proper restaurant procedures Naperville Park District Naperville, IL Swim Instructor February 2007 July 2009 Teach beginning level swim lessons to children between the ages of 6 and 8 Lessons were taught daily in the summer and bi-weekly during the school year

References
Tina Gibson Former Co-Director for Camp Tuck gibson.christina763@gmail.com 847-513-1930 (cell) Dawn R. Schaefer MS, CTRS Program Director for Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation (CUSR)

dawn.schaefer@cparkdistrict.com
217-819-3931 (office) 217-373-7951 (fax)