TEACHING & BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Self-Employed Technologist & Photographer
Merle A. Branner Information Professional & Educator
(Formerly MAB Technology Specialist)
Highland Park, IL • 1998 – present
  • Consult, install and train clients on technology (Windows, Mac and IOS), mobile devices, Microsoft Office Suite, PhotoShop, InDesign, Google Docs, Pages, Numbers, Keynote and Garage Band.
  • Electronically organizes clients’ personal libraries and develop web sites.
  • Digitize business records for companies to go paperless.
  • Set-up & Macintosh File Server for Clients.
  • Freelance photographer utilizing PhotoShop.

Computer Trainer
Education Alliance, Highland Park, IL • 1991 – 1992
  • Taught classes and wrote Computer Application curriculum. Classes were held at K-12 institutions long with The School of the Art Institute, Northern Illinois University, DePaul University, Lake Forest College, Loyola University and Illinois Institute of Technology.
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Marketing Manger
Timeworks, Deerfield, IL • 1989 – 1990
  • Marketing and sales of productivity software on the west coast.

Marketing Manger/In-house Photographer
First Byte, Costa Masa, CA • 1989
  • Educated retail computer software dealers with in the United States a long with technical support.
  • Photographed products for the packaging and advertising of the software.

Self Employed Freelance Photographer
Northridge, CA • 1984 - 1986
  • Predominately photographed architecture for magazines, developers and architectural firms.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Technology Teacher
Woodland Middle School • Gurnee, IL • 2022 - 2024 (Retired)
  • Teaching five Technology classes in grades 6 - 8​ per quarter and differentiate lessons  to meet diverse learning styles.
  • STEM, Multi Media, Computer Science , and Automation & Robotics with Project Lead the Way.

Technology Coordinator & Curriculum Developer
Queen of Angels School • Chicago, IL • 2021 - 2022
  • Teaching 17 Technology classes in grades K - 8
  • Created the Technology curriculum for all grade levels.
  • Lead the Technology Committee and wrote a Technology Plan for 2022-2023 school year.
  • Trouble shoot and support faculties technology use. 

Substitute Teacher
Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96, Buffalo Grove, IL • 2007 – 2009, 2015 – 2018, 2020 - 2021
  • Technology Coach (Long-term Substitute) Prairie School • 10/5 - 11/23/2015
  • Day Substitute Teacher 2015 - 2018
  • Learning Center Instructor/Building Technologist (Long-term Substitute) • 2007
  • Willow Grove Kindergarten Center, Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Technology support for the building & Learning Center teacher.
  • Day Substitute Teacher 2007 - 2009 & 2021

Coordinator of Instructional Technology
Woodlands Academy, Lake Forest, IL • 2011 – 2013
  • Facilitated the integration of technology with faculty, staff and students.
  • Classroom teacher- Introduction to Computer Technology, Digital Photography & Graphics.
  • Established a Wiki Called “Switch-Space,” a technology learning community for educators.
  • Continually researching, utilizing, and promoting the use of emerging technologies and Web 2.0 tools with faculty and students.
  • Wrote and executed the iPad Rollout Plan and Training for faculty (June, 2012)
  • Wrote the student iPad Rollout Plan for 2013-2014
  • Applications Utilized: SchoolSuite (Co-Webmaster), MyBackPack, SeniorSystems, Haiku (LMS), WikiSpaces, Microsoft Office, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, SmartBoards, iPads, and IOS Apps.

Adaptive Technology Specialist: 
Disability Support Services
Dominican University, River Forest, IL • Spring 2009
  • Oversaw the implementation of academic accommodations, with regards to adaptive/assistive technology for students with disabilities, including grant and technology research.
  • Provided training in the use of Dragon Natural Speaking, Inspiration and Kurzweil.
  • Responsible for electronic file management and maintained the DSS web pages.
  • Tech Expo 2009: Invited vendors, presented and coordinated the DSS presentation to promote the use of Universally Designed applications on campus.
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Technology Coordinator/Teacher
Sacred Heart School, Winnetka, IL • 2004 – 2005
  • Facilitated teachers with the infusion of technology into their class curriculum and hosted a “School Night” at the local Apple Store for students to demonstrate skills.
  • Facilitated a videoconference on “Cultural Diversity” with National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • Webmaster - maintained, modified and updated the existing school web site.

Computer Instructor and Teacher Technologist 

​Beach Park Middle School, Beach Park, IL • 2002 – 2004
Computer Instructor & Technology Specialist (Long-term Substitute) 

Carleton W. Washburne Middle School, Winnetka, IL • 2001 – 2002
  • Supervised the computer lab, supported faculty use of technology and taught computer application courses (Creative Endeavors) and developed lessons.

Technology Specialist
Solomon Schechter Day School, Northbrook, IL • 2000 – 2001
  • Managed and supported technology in K-8 environment: Researched, purchased, configured, installed, maintained Macintosh and Windows based machines running on a Novell network.

Photography Instructor, Beginning • Advanced Photography • Design

J.S. Morton High School District, Cicero, IL • 1992 – 1997
  • Wrote curriculum, taught lab and studio photography courses and Design.
  • Integrated computer technology into the curriculum.
  • Photography Club Sponsor.

Photography Teacher
New Trier High School, Winnetka, IL • 1990 – 1991
  • Taught lab and studio photography courses.
  • Art Club Sponsor.