Joan Hartnett has been an educator for more than 40 years.  She graduated summa cum laude from Bradley University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in both elementary and special education. In 1985 Joan received her Master’s Degree from Illinois State University with a major in Educational Administration including an endorsement for special education.

Joan is an experienced special education teacher, administrator, coach, trainer, and consultant. She spent fourteen years as a classroom teacher before becoming an administrator and director for special education. She served as the Director for Woodford County Special Education Association for more than fifteen years. Joan has served as a coordinator, facilitator, and coach for a variety of state grant projects including Illinois ASPIRE, the Race to the Top Network, and the Illinois RtI Network.  Each of these grant projects has focused on school improvement activities as well as the development and implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports/Response to Intervention System (MTSS/RtI).

Currently, Joan is a Network Capacity Coach in the Central Region of the state. In that capacity, Joan has provided professional learning, technical assistance, and coaching related to the implementation of MTSS/RtI. Joan is also a nationally certified trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid and has provided that professional learning experience throughout Illinois. In addition, Joan has developed training materials and trained on the following topics:

• Implementing a Systems Framework for MTSS at the District Level including Leadership, Competency, and Organization     

• Developing a Continuous District/School Improvement Plan including Creating a Data Culture, Data Analysis, and Plan Development

• School Level Implementation of MTSS

• Three-Tiered Instruction and Intervention

• School Level Data Based Problem Solving

• School Level Assessment, Decision Making, and Fidelity Measures

Finally, as a private consultant, Joan provides training and coaching to local schools and districts in the area of special education, school improvement, and curriculum development.

Joan has received the following professional honors during her career in education:

• Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year

• Illinois Association of Administrators for Special Education Innovative Practices Award

• Illinois Association of Administrators for Special Education Administrator of the Year Award