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Destiny is the push of our instincts to the pull of our purpose-T.D. Jakes

Dr. Iman Ellis Bowen

Whoever is fortunate to hire her will be blessed with an individual who can do it all from the ground up. She is tough, compassionate, uncompromising, and a great team player-Mark Kramer, Retired principal, Rich East High School

Welcome to my website

RESUME
Professional Experience Detailed
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

About Me

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I am currently the Director of Special Services for Joliet Township District 204.  My focus within the district is to promote and enhance educational programs and supports for students receiving special education services and other services such as home/hospital, Youth in care, and McKinney-Vento. In addition, I supervise instructional programming and curriculum development for the River Valley Detention Center, a juvenile detention center, located in Joliet, IL.
 
As the Director of Special Services, I have worked with staff to foster opportunities to augment curriculum design and improvement, management of school operations, social emotional supports for students, and leadership mentoring to increase student performance throughout the district. In addition, I have conjoined parental engagement, instruction, and post-secondary programs to inform parents of services within the community that will continue to assist students in their post- secondary endeavors.
 
Prior to working in Joliet, I was a teacher for Chicago Public Schools and Community High School District 218. My first administrative experience was in Rich Township High School District 227. As an administrator for RTHSD 227, I successfully implemented supportive behavior therapeutic classrooms and services; increased special education enrollment in general education settings; and provided leadership in the development of the instructional framework for the special education program. 

​Throughout my administrative career, I have delivered professional development in the areas of behavior management, co-teaching, defensible goal writing, facilitating IEP meetings, and leadership beyond the classroom. I have also recommended programs that have continued to support students yet expose them to academic and social experiences such as the Freshman Consultative Program, vocational sites and services, and Best Buddies. Furthermore, I have championed opportunities for all stakeholders within the academic environment to enrich communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills to foster a collaborative learning environment.
 
I received my B.S. degree from Benedictine University (Lisle, IL) and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University (University Park, IL).  I recently completed my doctoral program in Educational Leadership with a Superintendent’s endorsement at the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL). The focus of my dissertation was "The Man in the Arena: The Success and Retention of African American Administrators in Suburban School Districts Through an Examination of their Perceptions, Attitudes, and Positions.
 
Professionally, I am a member of Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education, Illinois Principal’s Association, and Northern Illinois Roundtable of Special Education Directors. 
I am also an active and financial member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.  Lastly, I am a Board of Trustees for the University of St. Francis.

She recognizes students' individual differences and works to create an environment designed to meet those needs-Dr. Tanisha Cannon, Deputy Superintendent
Put the seed of your dream in the soil of your faith-
​Steve Furtick

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Administrative Highlights

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Increased Environmental Education Code​​ for General Education from 29.3 to 37.1 in two years
Instructional Coaches for Special Education to support staff with providing instruction to students with services
Facilitated Successful ISBE Focus Monitoring Visits 
Instructional Leadership Team for Special Education to review and assess current and recommended special education services and programming
Partnership with Center of Childhood Resilience, a department of Ann and Robert Lurie Children Hospital to assist with organizing  and providing professional development in the areas of Social Emotional, Trauma, Equity, and Inclusionary Practices
Partnership with Department of Human Services to identify additional post-secondary access, support, and funding for students
Freshman Academy Consultative Program which increases supports and services in general education classes for students receiving services in the Freshman Academy
Blended Learning Courses for Special Education Classes
Winter and Spring Credit Recovery options for students with services
Strategic Leadership Committee 
provided leadership to the team that developed and implemented plans that delivered culturally responsive educational experiences and expanded the diversity of faculty and administration in order to close the achievement gap

FAC Recommendation Presentation

Expansion of Programs

  • Assisted with the construction and furnishing of new center for the Transition Program​
  • Restructured  former Alternative Learning Center and implemented new programs for New Pathways Program
  • Aligned the  9th-11th course sequence for Life Skills Program to district graduation criteria
  • Expanded summer school course offerings for students within the instructional setting
  • Established new registration, enrollment, and monitoring procedures for students receiving McKinney Vento Services
  • Developed electronic referral process for medical and administration homebound request
  • Revision of curriculum development and instructional practices at River Valley Juvenile Detention Facility
  • Implemented a movement room in the AVAC/Transition program
  • Revamped Functional Life Skills Program
  • Increased vocational experiences and supports district-wide for students with services
Throughout our work together, Iman has demonstrated a strong commitment and conscientious dedication to the service of developing leaders, streamlining processes, implementation of evidence-based programming and working with our teams to meet the individual and unique needs of all students-Constance Joubert, Principal of Bloom Township Alternative School

New Programs Developed

  • Career and Technical Education Cohort Program
  • Behavior Health Team
  • Steelman Movement Rooms
  • Partnership with Rosecrance (Referral and Intensive Outpatient services within the district
  • ​General Education Program at Pathways
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Board Presentation

Noteworthy Initiatives

Special Education Curriculum and Course Handbook
District Course Recommendation Sheet
Crisis Intervention Behavior Trauma Stabilization Evidenced Based Program (CBITS)
Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Training
School Psychologists and Social Workers Practicum and Internships
Parent Focus Meetings
Behavior Intervention Team
Reap to Sow
Think First (Evidenced Based SEL program)
APEX online courses 
Professional Development and Trainings
Acknowledgement Letter
Press Release
Iman is an exceptional person. She is sincere, kind, principled, and uniquely committed to meeting the needs of learners. Her character and commitment to the success of all students would be remarkable strengths she would bring to any position.-Dr. Peter Sullivan, Asst. Superintendent for Will County ROE

Educational Tenets

To promote and enhance educational programs and supports for ALL students within the school community.
To ensure that ALL students are empowered by providing a rigorous and personalized education so that they can compete and contribute positively to global societies and their communities.
To support, mentor, and inspire staff so that they can expose dormant seeds within all students to fertilize their gifts. 

Interested in how I can be an asset to your district?

contact me
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