Curriculum Vita

SRIMANI CHAKRAVARTHI

Teaching Licenses & Endorsements:

Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS-1 unlimited) License.

Illinois Type 9 Secondary Science Teaching License.

ESL Endorsement

TESOL Endorsement

Education:

Ph.D.              Regional Institute of Education, Mysore, India.              Special Education &   Learning Disabilities      2000   

M.Ed.             Osmania University. India     Education                                1994

B.Ed.              Osmania University. India     Education                                1993   

B.Sc.               Osmania University. India     Genetics, Chemistry, Zoology                             1992               

Work Experience:

Professor of Education: University of St. Francis.2007 - Present

• Teaching and/or taught courses at undergraduate and graduate levels in the following areas:

- Introduction to Disability and Diverse needs, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

- Special Education Law

- Emotional and Behavior Disorders

- Development & Characteristics of individuals with disabilities

- Methods of teaching children with disabilities and English Language Learners

- Language Development, Early childhood development

- Methods of teaching students with moderate and severe disabilities

- Consultation, Collaboration and Transition

• Creating and teaching online course in Special Education Law, Language Development, Methods of Teaching Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Methods of teaching mild disabilities and English Language Learners, Collaboration and Communication.

• Supervising students in their Field experiences in Special Education

• Advising students with course preparation, academic supports, schedule & career planning.

• Involved in supporting teacher candidates of color through the MERIT group support and coordinating Project LEAD, a leadership collaborative initiative between several colleges in Illinois for teacher candidates of color

• Member of the College of Education’s partnership initiative with local schools, as the JPDSP Special Education liaison (2007 to 2012), partnerships with St. Rays for weekly student tutoring and specialized supports (2017 to present)

• Chaired University Assessment Committee (2012-2014 and 2018 fall) and member (2012 to present).

• Served as member, Teaching and Course Evaluation Task Force (2013-2017).

• Served on University Accreditation as Chair for Category 1 of AQIP (Helping Students Learn), and member, Higher Learning Commission (HLC) category 4 and on strategic planning committee for HLC accreditation and visit in spring 2018. Currently team lead for category 4 for HLC accreditation (2018 fall to present).

• Chair, Lesson Plan Task Force. (2010 to 2012) Creating and developing online interactive lesson planning model based on differentiation and universal design principles.

• Project Director, Doing What Works grants (2012-2013 & 2011 - 2012)

• Project Director, TSPED 325T Office of Special Education Programs federal grant (2008 – 2013).

 Special Education Teacher: Joliet School District. 2002-2006

• Teaching Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies to 6th graders with LD, EMH, ADHD and OHI in a self-contained classroom.

• Developing and managing Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all the students.

• Differentiated instruction for all students with special needs.

• Participated in pre-referral team to provide strategies to general education teachers to help low achievers in the classroom.

• Member of the Technology Committee and actively utilized various technological advances in classroom teaching.

• Attended and implemented multi-cultural and diversity workshops and implemented elements into classroom teaching.

• Supervised student teacher from the Illinois State University.

• Member of the School Improvement Team, focusing on meeting state standards for all children.

 Learning Disabilities Resource Facilitator Assistant: Lisle School District. 1998-1999:

• Worked as a part time voluntary resource teacher.

• Responsibilities included teaching reading, mathematics and writing to LD students in a resource room setting and regular classroom, and administering individual tests.

 Special Education Learning Disabilities Teacher: Mysore, India. 1996-1997:

• Taught children with Learning Disabilities.

• Work included administering identification and diagnostic tests, teaching students individually and in groups, monitoring their progress and modifying teaching strategies to suit individual needs.

 Service:

• Co-chair Diversity Board, Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois (2022 - present).

• Member, Learning Disabilities Association of America (2021 - present).

• Member, Council for Exceptional Children (2007- present)

• Member, College of Education Academic Assembly (2007 – present).

• Member, College of Education Curriculum Committee (2012 – present).

• Member, College of Education Initial Programs Committee (2012 – present).

• Member, College of Education Lesson Plan Task Force (2011 – 2013, 2015 – 2017).

• Member and Special Ed. Liaison, Joliet Profession Development School Partnership (JPDSP) (2007 – 2016).

• Member, JPDSP (Joliet Public School District Partnership) leadership team (2007 – 2015).

• Member, University Academic Assembly (2007 – present)

• Member, University Teaching and Course Evaluation Task Force (2013 – present).

• Member, University Special Admissions Committee (2007 – 2009).

• Member, Early Childhood Program Development Committee (2009 – 2011).

• Member, University Center for Teaching Excellence (2009 – 2011).

• Member, Library Task Force (2010 -2012).

• Member, College of Education Doctoral Committee (2010 – 2012).

• Member, University Prior Learning Board (2008 – 2015).

• Member, University Educational Standards Committee (2010 – 2012).

• Member, Academic Resource Center Advisory Board (2012 – 2013).

• Chair, University Assessment Committee (2012 – 2014; Fall 2018)

• Chair, AQIP Category One: Helping students Learn (2012 – 2017).

• Member, AQIP Strategy Forum (2015 – 2017).

• Category Lead, HLC Category Four (2017 – present).

• Chair, Rank, Promotion and Tenure Committee (2022-present)

• Grade Level Advisor (GLA) for National Charity League: A Mother-daughter Charity Organization. (2018 - 2019).

• Coordinator of Chamber Concerts, Veenagana School of Music. (2016 - 2019)

Grants:

• $3,000 USF Strategic Development Initiative Grant. 2024.

• $3,000 USF Strategic Development Initiative Grant. 2020.

• $55,000 (Project Director); Doing What Works federal grant. 2012 - 2014.

• $20,000 (Project Director); Doing What Works federal grant. 2011 - 2012.

• $500,000 (Project Director); 325T Transforming Special Education grant by Federal Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs. 2008 – 2013.

• $800 Technology grant by the University of St. Francis. 2008 – 2009.

Publications:

     Riley, T., Jerome-Raja, A. & Chakravarthi, S. (2024). Executive Functioning Skills and Artificial Intelligence. Refereed. In Walters, A. (Ed.). Transforming Special Education Through Artificial Intelligence. IGI Global. doi: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-5538-1.ch010

Chakravarthi, S. & Poovaiah, G. I. (2023). Literacy in Indian Akshara Languages and Other Transparent Orthographic Languages - Teacher Education Considerations. Refereed. International Journal of Modern Education Studies, 7(2). https://www.ijonmes.net/index.php/ijonmes/article/view/329 

Chakravarthi, S., Glenn, D., Gambro, J., Sloan, C., & Spesia, T. (2023). Embracing EdTPA: Our Journey with Data-Informed Practices. Refereed. In Gorowara, C. C., Brownstein, E. M. & Wall, T. (Eds.) Effectively Using Data in Educator Preparation Program Improvement, p. 43-68. Information Age Publishing. ISBN: 979-8-88730-207-2

Chakravarthi, S. (2023). Serving English Language Learners with Exceptional and Diverse Needs. Refereed. In Esmail, I. et al. (Eds.).  English Language Learners: The Power of Culturally Relevant Pedagogies. Rowman and Littlefield & NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education). ISBN - 978-1-4758-5614-9 https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475856149/English-Language-Learners-The-Power-of-Culturally-Relevant-Pedagogies 

Chakravarthi, S. (2022). Teaching Strategies Across Subject Areas. Refereed. In J. Bell (Ed.), New Considerations and Best Practices for Training Special Education Teachers (pp. 137-162). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-9494-0.ch008. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/teaching-strategies-across-subject-areas/297218 

        Chakravarthi, S. (2021). Emerging Trends in Education for Students with Disabilities, Cultural-Linguistic Differences and Other Diverse Populations. Refereed. In Aydogmus, M. (Ed.). New Trends and Promising Directions in Higher Education: New Perspectives 2021. Palet Yayinlari, ISBN: 978-605-7675-41-3

        Chakravarthi, S. & WhiteMcNulty, L. (2020). Let’s Have Lunch: Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Support Students with Disabilities via Authentic Social Interactions. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 32(2), 240-250. Refereed. Accessible online from Taylor and Francis at http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/ijtlhe-issue.php?v=32&n=2&y=2020

        Stowe, S. M., Chakravarthi, S., & Steinke, P. (2019). Engaging Faculty through Faculty Assessment Liaisons. Assessment Update, 31(3). Refereed. Accessible online from Wiley Online Library    at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15360725/2019/31/3 

        Chakravarthi, S. (2012). Assessing Children with Language Impairments: A Study in Kannada, an Indian Language. Disability, CBR and Inclusive Development (DCIDJ), 23 (3), 112-134. Refereed. https://dcidj.org/10/volume/23/issue/3/

        Chakravarthi, S. (2012). Measuring up to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards using Universal Design for Learning. Success in High Needs Schools Journal, 8(1). Invited.

        Chakravarthi, S. et al. (2012). Differentiated Lesson Plan based on Universal Design principles (online interactive template). Joliet, IL.: College of Education, University of St. Francis. Invited.

        Chakravarthi, S. et al. (2009). Co-teaching lesson plan handbook. Joliet, IL.: College of Education, University of St. Francis. Invited.

Conference Presentations:

Chakravarthi, S. & Cho, E. (Feb., 2023). Celebrate your Classroom Kaleidoscope: Identifying and Leveraging Classroom Cultural Assets across Subject Areas. LDA Annual International Conference. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. & Jerome Raja, A. (Feb., 2023). Twice Exceptional and Minority: Parent Dilemmas and South Asian Perspectives. LDA Annual International Conference. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (October, 2022). 20 Oral Language stimulation activities for the classroom. Everyone Reading Illinois Annual Conference, Naperville, IL. Refereed.

Fitzsimmons, J., Shah, J., Baddoo, A., & Chakravarthi, S. (July, 2022).  Project LEAD: A Collaborative Initiative to Increase The Pool of Diverse Educators Before, During and Then? College Changes Everything(CCE) Conference, Virtual. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (January, 2022). Addressing Receptive and Expressive Skills in a Foreign Language: Lessons from a Study in India. Learning Disabilities Association International Conference, New Orleans. Refereed.

Hibben, S., Chakravarthi, S. & Steinke, P. (November, 2019). An Assessment Odyssey: One Journey in Assessment Maturation. IUPUI Assessment Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2018). Save your Soul: Design a Rubric. ACCA Pedagogy Symposium at Joliet, IL. Refereed.

Spesia, T. & Chakravarthi, S. (October, 2018). Adverse Childhood Experiences: Role of Teachers. Supporting our Students Conference at Joliet, IL. Invited.

Chakravarthi, S. (July, 2018). Accessing and Using Evidence-Based practices to Improve Outcomes in ALL Settings. DISES (Division of International Special Education & Services) of Council for Exceptional Children, International Convention. Cape Town, South Africa. Refereed.

Murphy, M., Evans, E., Metlicka, D., & Chakravarthi, S. (June, 2018). With Living Stones: Building a Franciscan Future…. Together. AFCU Symposium at Joliet, IL. Refereed.

Gambro, J., Sloan, C. & Chakravarthi, S. (June, 2018). Being Franciscan in Deed and Action. AFCU Symposium at Joliet, IL. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2016). Using Technology to Engage and Motivate your Students. ACCA Pedagogy Symposium at Joliet, IL. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2016). No Candidate Left Behind: Learning from a Successful EdTPA. Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Lexington, KY. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2016). Tervetuloa: Ideas for Welcoming Finnish Educational Policy and Practices. Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Lexington, KY. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2015). Having the Cake and Eating it too! – Teacher Candidates have lunch with peers with disabilities from local high school. Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Phoenix, AZ. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2014). Does Passing the EdTPA make you a Great Teacher? Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2013). Are you Ready for the EdTPA? Viewing Programmatic Changes at one Campus. Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (October, 2013). Preparing Candidates for EdTPA in Special Education. EdTPA Special Education Round table leader at the Illinois Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting. Normal, IL. Invited.

Chakravarthi, S., Hogan, T. & Loomis, D. (November, 2012). Increasing Teacher Candidates Access to and Understanding of Evidenced Based Practices through the Use of Doing What Works Website. Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Grand Rapids, MI. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (July, 2012). Addressing the Challenge of Meaningful Inclusion through Teacher Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice; at the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Annual Project Directors Conference at Washington D. C. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (April, 2012). Applying Universal Design to Lesson Planning; at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, at Denver, CO. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (December, 2011). Doing What Works: A Treasure Chest for Teacher Education; at the Associated Colleges of Illinois December meeting at Chicago, IL. Invited.

Chakravarthi, S. (October, 2011). Doing What Works: A Treasure on Evidence-based Practices in Science; at the Illinois Science Teachers’ Association Annual Conference at Tinley Park, IL. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (September, 2011). Embedding Evidence-based Practices in Teacher Education; at the Doing What Works grantees meeting at San Francisco, CA. Invited.

Chakravarthi, S. (July, 2011). Embedding Evidence Based Practices in Teacher Education: Doing What Works; at the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Annual Project Directors Conference at Washington D. C. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (June, 2011). Doing What Works: A Treasure on Evidence-based Practices; at the Associated Colleges of Illinois’ Summer Institute for Educators at Aurora, IL. Invited.

Chakravarthi, S. (July, 2010). Reaching Out Reaching In: Transforming Special Education with Collaboration; at the OSEP Annual Project Directors Conference at Washington D. C. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (March, 2010). A Fruitful Partnership with a Shared Vision in Special Education; at the National Professional Development Schools Conference at Florida. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (February, 2010). The Center for Success in High-Need Schools: A Collaboration that Works; at the Association for Teacher Educators (ATE) Annual Conference at Chicago. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (November, 2009). Universal Design for Learning as a Logical Model for RTI; at the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children, at Chicago. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (September, 2009). Transforming Special Education Teacher Preparation; at the Associated Colleges of Illinois’ Art and Science Colloquium at Chicago. Invited.

Chakravarthi, S. (July, 2009). Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children with Exceptionalities: Preventing misidentification and providing the necessary intervention; at the OSEP Annual Project Directors Conference, Washington D. C. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (March, 2009). Is Co-teaching Effective? Teacher Candidates in PDS find out for themselves; at the National Professional Development Schools Conference, Daytona Beach, Florida. Refereed.

Chakravarthi, S. (September, 1997). Development of a Remedial Program of Language for Children with Language Disabilities in Kannada, a South Indian Language; at the 4th World Congress of Dyslexia at Macedonia, Greece. Refereed.

 Undergraduate Student Conference Presentations:

Harrington, K. (2018). Empowering Families for the Individualized Education Program Process. Poster presented at the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children, Lisle, IL. Nov. 2018. Refereed.

Garcia, M. (2016). Pre-service Teachers’ Knowledge and Skills in Multicultural Education. Poster presented at the Midwest Teacher Educators Conference, Champaign, IL. April, 2017. Refereed.

Shibley, R., & Mancuso, M. (2015). Pre-Service Teacher Perceptions and Preparedness for Inclusion.

Taylor, K. & Svoboda, B. (2014). Perceptions of the Comic Format of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) by Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families.

 Doctoral Supervised Dissertations & Proquest Publications:

Rice-Liles, K. (2023). Impact of Professional Development in Trauma on Teacher-Efficacy and Student Self-Regulation.

 Collaborative work with other Higher Ed. and K-12 Schools:

• Started summer online tutoring initiative with matching high school students with high need school children (2021 - present).

• Lead collaborator with Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University in establishing a National Center on Reading Research and Intervention in India, with Govt. of India, National Center for Education, Research and Training (2020 – present).

• Mentor Science competition teams (6th through 8th grade) for ecybermission competition (2-time National Winner), Siemens Competition in Math and Science (Semi-finalist), Conrad Innovative Challenge (Semi-finalist).

• Lincoln-Way High School (2014 – present). Collaborate with high school transition faculty members to have students with disabilities visit our college for peer interaction and social skill development.

• Catholic School Partnership (2014 – present). Varied collaborations including behavior observations by teacher candidates shared to teachers, after-school tutoring for small groups to extend coursework application opportunities.

• High School Plan of Study created with Center for Success in High-Need Schools partners, to address teacher shortage (Spring, 2018).

• Changing Attributions and Raising Self-concept: Teach Strategies. Workshop presented to Center for Success in High-Need Schools, Prof. Development for Teachers, February, 2018.

• The "How" of Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Making your classroom accessible to ALL learners. Workshop presented to Center for Success in High-Need Schools, Prof. Development for Teachers. February 2017 & January 2018

Awards and Fellowships:

·      Invitation & Recognition for achievement as Team Advisor for ecybermission, at the National Science Teachers Association National conference in St. Louis (April, 2019)

·      Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, $3000 scholarship awarded to undergraduate students (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018).

·      Nominated for Excellence in Teaching Award by T & PG, University of St. Francis, 2017.

·      International Faculty Exchange Scholarship (ICISP) to Finland (May, 2016).

·      Invited as Honored Guest at White House Science Fair for mentoring an 8th grade winning team at ecybermission, a Science competition (April, 2016).

·      Mission Trip to Assisi (May, 2015).

·      T & PG Scholarship to attend the Higher Education Pedagogy Conference (Feb, 2015).

·      Awarded Excellence in Service award by T & PG, University of St. Francis, 2015.

·      Star Teacher awards for exemplary teaching in Joliet Public School during the school years 2004 and 2005.

·      Ranked first during student teaching and overall performance during the B. Ed program.

·      Federal University Grants Commission Junior Research Fellow in 1995, for conducting research leading to Ph. D.