Hello! My name is Jessica Lindsay. I am a passionate, professional Special Education teacher. I hold a Master of Art in Special Education from National Louis University and a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Language Pathology) from Illinois State University

Prior to beginning personal life skills coaching and tutoring, I worked in the public school system. During my time in the schools, I taught at the middle school, high school and transition levels. I have taught in various settings, such as self-contained academics for those on the autism spectrum, the resource classroom for students who require support to succeed in the general education classroom, and most recently, a self-contained life skills program for middle school students with moderate-severe cognitive, communication and executive functioning challenges. 

Despite my wide range of professional settings, my passion lies within the life skills classroom and curriculum.  Some of my favorite things to teach include: reading, writing, and independence/self advocacy for independent living. Specific independent living and advocacy skills include, but are not limited to: basic kitchen skills, grocery shopping, label reading, laundry, telling time and time management skills, basic addition/subtraction for budgeting, recognizing and understanding safety signs in the home,  out in the community, community based education and much more!

In addition to my professional experience working with the disabled community, I have a unique personal connection to it that has fueled my passion to educate and empower those with differences. I am a twin, and both of us have Cerebral Palsy. I am able to walk, use a manual wheelchair and live independently with my dog. My sister is a quadriplegic and has lived in an assisted living facility for the last 3 years. She is unable to speak, walk or do any tasks of daily living. Unlike myself, she requires full-time care, but enjoys life to the fullest through attending her day program and NWSRA activities. Lastly, my Aunt has an Intellectual Disability and has lived in a CILA for over 30 years and attends a daily workshop.  Being among this community and witnessing the wide array of individuals that are a part of it has sparked a passion and a purpose to educate people so they can reach their personal success.