Thomas Rocco

About Thomas Rocco

Co-Owner of Guided Discovery Mental Health PLLC as of Sept. Part of the Grace Integrated Behavioral Health Services Network as the first franchise opening in Elmhurst, IL. We will be providing therapy services for addiction, individual counseling, group counseling, family and couples counseling, and youth services. For more information please visit am a passionate National Board Certified Physical Education Teacher and Coach that is currently in my 23rd year of teaching in Oak Park School District 97. I started my career teaching at William Beye Elementary School for 13 years (Northeastern district highlight PE program award winner in ), and then switched to teaching middle school PE at both Percy Julian and Gwendolyn Brooks Middle Schools for the past 8 years. I also served as the Physical Education Department Chair for K-8 PE for 4 years (20••••20). In addition to teaching I have coached multiple sports at both the high school (Girls Basketball - Freshmen/Sophomore levels 16 years, Football- Varsity level 4 years, Girls Badminton- Head Varsity Coach and JV Coach 8 years, Girls Tennis- JV 2 years) and middle school level (7th grade boys/girls basketball 4 years, boys volleyball 3 years, and cross country 2 years).In addition to teaching and coaching, I was 1 of 8 PE teachers to work with the Illinois Public Health Institute as an Enhanced Physical Education Trainer for 4 years (20••••20). This program was developed to help provide PE teachers across the state with professional development to help combat childhood obesity. As a presenter, I would visit different school districts across all of Illinois and talk to them about best practices for PE, the state standards, and other wellness related topics. Another highlight from this experience was that I was the one PE teacher from Illinois selected to go to Atlanta, GA for a national presentation on the Whole School, Whole Child curriculum that was put on by SHAPE America.Co-Owner of Guided Discovery Mental Health PLLC as of Sept. Part of the Grace Integrated Behavioral Health Services Network as the first franchise opening in Elmhurst, IL. We will be providing therapy services for addiction, individual counseling, group counseling, family and couples counseling, and youth services. For more information please visit

Experience

1. Physical Education Teacher and Coach

   Oak Park Esd 97 School District

   Aug 2002 — Present · Oak Park, IL, US

   William Beye Elementary School K-52•••••15)Percy Julian & Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School 6-8 (2015-current)Planned Units, Lessons, and organize school events such as a health fair, olympic days, walk/bike to school day, as well as coached middle school boys/girls basketball, boys volleyball, and cross country. Also served as PE department chair for District 97••••••20) that required planning agendas, running meetings, and budget expenses. Created PE Leaders program for middle school students identified as Tier 2,3 behavioral disorder. Worked with PE dept. to create social-emotional learning unit through physical activity and sports. Developed kinesthetic learning lessons to teach health/wellness concepts through tag activities, obstacle courses, and sport games. High School Coaching Experience (20••••18)- Riverside Brookfield High School, Riverside, IL (20••••16): Head Girls Badminton Coach, Sophomore Boys Football Coach, Freshmen/Sophomore Girls Basketball Coach, JV Girls Tennis Coach- Westmont High School, Westmont, IL (20••••03): Varsity Football Assistant Coach - Whitney Young High School, Chicago, IL(20••••05): Varsity Football Assistant Coach- Ridgewood High School, Norridge, IL (20••••18): Freshmen Girls Basketball Coach

Education

• Eastern Illinois University

  Health and Physical Education/Fitness

• Concordia University Chicago

  Master's degree in Curriculum Instruction, Education

• University of Illinois Chicago

  Kinesiology (K-12), Elementary and Secondary Education