Brookfield, IL | 708.692.

3937 | Sara_S_Online_Portfolio
Sara Sepkowski, M.A. Sara.Sepkowski@gmail.com | Linkedin.com/Sara_Sepkowski

Learning & Development Professional

Innovative and passionate Learning & Development Professional with a background in formal and informal curriculum
development. Holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education and a Master's Degree in Industrial
Organizational Psychology. Focused on helping individuals excel in their work and be successful through the leveraging
of skills to promote pipeline change for organizational effectiveness. Particularly skilled in: instructional design, training,
e-learning gamification, industrial organization, facilitation and innovation. Certified Professional Educator.
Skills and Competencies
• Leadership & Management • Data Analysis & Reporting
• Training & Mentoring • Organizational Development
• Curriculum Development • Psychology of Personnel Mgmt.
• Instructional Design • Research & Presentations
• Educational Leadership • Employee Engagement
• Training & e-Learning • Industrial Organization
• Gamification of Learning • Teaching & Instruction
• Diversity & Inclusion • Secondary Education
• Assessments & Appraisals • Learning Theories

Professional Achievements
• Designed and implemented an original Training Needs Survey to 300+ staff to target what training was
needed. Integrated pre-tests, post-tests and surveys to differentiate training needs.
• Designed, created and implemented a total of 9 successful curricula.
• Collaborated with Subject Matter Expert to create job analysis for Licensed Clinical Psychologist position
at Shared Vision Psychological Services. Managed and developed original performance appraisal for SVPS.
• Collated and presented survey information for Wood Dale Park District on how to reduce turnover.
• Created and implemented Initial Elmhurst Inventory Engagement Survey (Publication 2019) for the
improved matching of mentors.
• Succeeded in developing remedial students' average reading by 4.5 levels compared to other teachers
who averaged 3 grade levels.
• Managed Infinite Campus system, facilitating the transition of 400+ employees to the new system.
• Utilized 360 feedback for effective performance appraisals. Collaborated in teams for completion of
projects for clients, and effectively managed time with multiple deadlines.
• Acted as a temporary contractual technical writer to create, edit and review assessments.

Professional Experience
English Instructional Designer | 2015 - Present
VVSD 365U | BOLINGBROOK, IL
• Responsible for educational instruction 35+ hours weekly to rooms of 25 learners on average. Edited papers, gave
feedback, designed online classrooms and created online micro lessons.
• Developed and implemented 4 differentiated curriculums and revised and reflected upon curriculums year to year
to obtain higher results.
• Created additional resources for first generation college students to help guide them through the process.
• Gamified learning to increase engagement through utilization of Kahoot, Quizlet and Gimkit.
• Identified several students who had undiagnosed learning disabilities and acquired the appropriate help for them.
 • Analyzed data to create targeted growth objectives for learners. Revitalized instruction based on student
performance on assessments.
• Created multiple curricula from scratch whilst attending graduate school part-time, demonstrating incredible time
management skills.
• Managed students with social/emotional issues and collaborated with counselors and parents to get students the
help they needed to be healthy and successful.
• Motivated and mentored new teachers to facilitate an effective transition into the school.
• Managed conflicts regularly (parents, students, counselors) to ensure all parties' needs were met and to allow
them to resume pursuing their objectives.
• Students demonstrated the greatest growth resulting from clear instructions, motivation and encouragement to
be reflective.
• Managed diverse classrooms, adapting motivation and teaching techniques to fit all students, and creating an
environment of respect where all backgrounds and concerns are mindfully listened to.

Training Consultant (6 month Internship) | 2018 - 2018

ELMHURST PARK DISTRICT | ELMHURST, IL
• Designed and implemented a training needs survey (Google Forms) in collaboration with the client. Administered
the survey to 300+ staff.
• Analyzed data to determine what trainings were needed, on a departmental basis, for full-time, part-time and
seasonal staff.
• Managed a standardized interview process with 40+ supervisors.
• Presented findings and made suggestions for future implementation to EPD. Results found that better training
could be provided so that the park district could run more effectively.

Instructional Designer: History and English | 2013 - 2015

BARTLETT HIGH SCHOOL | BARTLETT, IL
• Managed the educational needs of high school classes of 34 learners on average.
• Provided extra learning resources and online content to engage and motivate students.
• Managed the diverse needs of students, including the accommodation of deaf students, and ensured they were
being included in the class.

Additional Roles included:

Resident Counselor | Summer Discovery | University of California, LA | 2012 - 2012
Student Teacher | Edison Middle School | Champaign, IL | 2012 - 2012
Services Receptionist | Illini Union | Champaign, IL | 2010 - 2012
Office of Social Science Intern | Chicago Public Schools Office of Social | Chicago, IL | 2011 - 2011

Education & Certifications

Master’s Degree | Industrial Organizational Psychology | Elmhurst College | 2019
Bachelor of Science | History, English and Secondary Education | University of Illinois | 2012
Licensure in Education: Professional Educator Certificate | Type 09: Secondary (6-12) | State of Illinois | 2013 - 2023

Technical Skills
MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) | Google Suite: Sheets, Slides, Docs, Forms | Remind | Kahoot | Gimkit |
Quizlet | Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Prezi, LinkedIn | Edline | Infinite Campus | CIMS | Website
Building: Weebly | PC and Mac