Rachelle Nondorf

Chicago, Illinois 60626 - Phone: 323-620-0211 - Email: rachellen.mlc@gmail.com

 

                                                                                                 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

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Dynamic, highly adaptable, trauma-informed educator with extensive experience in personalized instruction, academic coaching, and learning support for traditional, nontraditional, and neurodiverse learners. Highly skilled at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including parents, teachers, and counselors, to assess learning needs, create individualized learning plans, and support students’ short-term and long-term goals. Skilled in applying current brain science to learning and development, including cultivating and maintaining motivation, acquiring and applying new information, memory storage and retrieval, and social/emotional skill building. Developing advanced knowledge in Applied Educational Neuroscience to further support educator and student well-being and address the impact of adversity on learning through a neurodevelopmental lens.

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                                                                                                           EDUCATION

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• Master’s Certificate in Applied Educational Neuroscience (AEN)-Currently Enrolled

  • Butler University (Expected Completion: April, 2026)

  • Under the direction of Lori Desautels (author of Connections over Compliance and creator of AEN framework)

• M.Ed. (Cognitive Science and Instructional Leadership) - American College of Education 

  • 18 master’s degree credits in psychology / GPA: 4.0

  • Link to M.Ed. transcript: 

    • https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:4f63a3b7-a8c2-4db9-85d5-50effcb95f28

• BA (English/Secondary Education): University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee / Milwaukee, Wisconsin

 

                                                                                                        CREDENTIALS

 

• Illinois PEL-Type 9 (Grades 6-12) – English Language Arts (Certificate #1920213)
• California (Grades 6-12) – English Language Arts (Certification #210112064)
• California (Grades K-12) – Multiple Subjects (Certification #190043633)
• College Counseling Certificate – University of California, San Diego
• California Studio Teacher – Licensed through the Department of Labor (Certificate #157272)

 

                                                                                        PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

• Enhancing Executive Function: Going Beyond the Prefrontal Cortex 

• Link to Certificate: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kSrBoboJR6ZdyY0zwlEuCy2feAtppzZc/view?usp=sharing

 

                                                                                        PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Independent Contractor/Self-Employed – Chicago, IL and Nationwide
Private Teacher/Tutor and California Studio Teacher
October 2002 – Present

• Design and implement customized lessons for K-12 students, focusing on core subjects and electives, supporting all students, including neurodiverse learners.

• Collaborate with parents and other professionals to develop tailored academic and career plans.

• Provide college counseling, admissions support, and standardized test prep, with an emphasis on executive function and learning differences.

• Conduct assessments and develop individualized interventions based on student progress.

 

Jobs for Youth – Chicago, IL

Adult Education Instructor
August 2011 – May 2012

• Designed GED curriculum for students aged 17-24, addressing subjects such as math, reading, English, science, and history. Provided academic coaching and guidance to support students' overall achievement and personal development.

 

Connection’s Therapeutic Day School – Libertyville, IL

Program Assistant
December 2010 – June 2011

• Supported students with emotional and behavioral challenges by providing tailored academic support and behavioral management strategies. Developed study guides and provided one-on-one coaching to improve retention and comprehension of material. Maintained detailed progress documentation and collaborated with faculty to monitor academic and behavioral goals.

 

                                                          TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Opportunities for Learning – Culver City, CA
Academic Recovery Teacher (Grades 6-12)

• Designed individualized learning goals for students, with a strong focus on enhancing executive function skills and addressing learning differences.

• Provided test preparation and college counseling, with particular attention to the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse learners.

 

High School English Teacher - Lake Havasu, AZ and Milwaukee, WI

Classroom teacher (Grades 9-12)

• Developed culturally competent and comprehensive English Language Arts lessons for students in regular education as well as remedial and advanced education classes.