School Jobs for Special Education & Healthcare Professionals

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Renee Miller is passionate about helping students thrive by connecting schools with professionals who are not only highly qualified but genuinely driven to make a difference. As the Director of the Schools Team at iDEAL Hire, she brings over 15 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Throughout her career, Renee has built and led behavior-based ABA programs, developed school-wide positive behavior support systems, and trained clinical teams to deliver evidence-based, impactful care. Her deep commitment to quality and long-term success led to the development of iDEAL’s Positive Behavior Support initiative—aligning clinical excellence with improved educational outcomes. Having worked directly as a school-based clinician, Renee understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that school systems face. She views iDEAL Hire as a true extension of its school district partners, grounded in collaboration, communication, and commitment. Outside of work, Renee is a proud mom, a beach enthusiast, and a firm believer that leading with heart—and a sense of humor—makes all the difference.

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Megan Beattie is driven by the stories behind each career move—what motivates someone to shift paths, and how she can support them on that journey. Whether it’s a complete career change or a move to a new school district, she brings curiosity, care, and commitment to every search. With over four years of experience in recruiting, admissions, and team leadership, Megan is known for motivating teams, staying calm under pressure, and bringing a positive energy to everything she does. What makes her iDEAL is her agility in fast-paced environments, her empathetic consulting style, and her passion for uplifting both candidates and colleagues. She’s always open to trying new approaches and looks for ways to improve processes with creativity and efficiency. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, knitting new projects, and being around animals whenever she can. She’s recently been exploring the world of cooking—challenging herself with new recipes and discovering it as one of her favorite creative outlets

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Marika Wholas is driven by the belief that the right opportunity can change someone’s life, and she’s passionate about creating those meaningful connections. She began her journey with iDEAL Hire as a first-year recruiter and quickly advanced to the role of Lead Talent Consultant. With a background in applied behavior analysis and education staffing, Marika brings a strong understanding of both client needs and candidate goals. Her approach combines speed, care, and a deep commitment to service. What makes Marika iDEAL is her dedication to advocacy and empathy—she genuinely cares about the people she supports and strives to make every interaction count. Outside of work, Marika enjoys beach days, time in nature, traveling, and making lasting memories with family and friends.

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Alana O'Neal brings over 11 years of experience in education and a heartfelt passion for supporting students, families, and professionals in the field. For the past year and a half, she has expanded her impact through talent acquisition with iDEAL Hire Schools, where she connects passionate educators and therapists with the schools and students who need them most. As a devoted mother of three—including a child with autism—she understands the importance of advocacy, individualized support, and inclusive education. Her personal and professional experiences continue to fuel her commitment to helping others thrive. Outside of work, Alana enjoys cheering on her child's football team, spending time outdoors with her family, and caring for her horses. She thrives on building meaningful relationships and making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves.

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Gail O'Keefe is all about people—connecting them, advocating for them, and ensuring they feel heard, valued, and appreciated. With over six years of recruiting and HR experience spanning healthcare, industrial, professional services, and tech, Gail has found her niche in education staffing. She recruits top-tier talent for schools across the country, and nothing brings her more fulfillment than matching the right person with the right opportunity. Backed by a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Gail has long been passionate about understanding people—and now channels that passion into helping them build careers they love. What makes Gail iDEAL is her commitment to building genuine relationships, not just filling roles. She's the kind of recruiter who cheers for your wins, advocates for your needs, and supports you every step of the way. Outside of work, Gail enjoys spending time with her family, diving into a good book, and crocheting cozy creations—sometimes all at once.

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Jamie Cadwallder is motivated by the opportunity to make a real difference, whether it’s helping a candidate take the next step in their career, meeting a client’s needs, or showing up for her team. With eight years of experience managing Direct, MSP, and VMS accounts, Jamie has worked across educational, clinical, allied health, therapy, and correctional settings. In addition to her expertise in recruiting and credentialing, she brings a deep understanding of the complexities of staffing in diverse environments. Her adaptability and dedication to high-level service have made her a trusted partner to both clients and candidates. What makes Jamie iDEAL is her grounded and authentic approach, paired with the flexibility and drive to navigate evolving challenges and explore new opportunities. Jamie genuinely enjoys building relationships with the people she works with and celebrating their successes. She believes in the power of teamwork and shared goals, because we're all in this together.

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Victoria Kennedy is a results-driven Talent Acquisition Specialist with over four years of experience recruiting top-tier professionals across healthcare and education, with a strong specialization in school-based staffing. As a former Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) withclinical ABA experience, she brings a unique perspective to recruiting and excels in identifying talent that meets both the behavioral and academic needs of students. Victoria has a proven track record of successfully staffing school districts by recruiting and placing Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators, Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs),school-based clinicians, and other high-demand roles. Her expertise in behavioral health and special education recruitment enables her to build strong candidate pipelines, decrease time-to-fill, and ensure long-term retention of quality hires. Known for her strategic sourcing, relationship-based recruiting style, and deep understanding of district needs, she consistently delivers top talent that drives student success and supports inclusive learning environments.

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Lesley Kirkland brings over 13 years of experience in education and a heartfelt passion for supporting students, families, and professionals in the field. For the past 6 months, she has expanded her impact through talent acquisition with iDEAL Hire Schools, where she connects passionate educators and therapists with the schools and students who need them most. Outside of work, Lesley loves hiking, reading, and traveling with her husband and dog and spending a lot of time with her family. Lesley is driven and focused on making a difference by building meaningful relationships with specialist and helping them find a place to make their own difference.

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Dr. Jayne Flores is an Education Talent Consultant at iDEAL Hire who brings over 25 years of specialized expertise in special education, compliance, and multidisciplinary team leadership. Having served as an LEA representative and Special Education teacher, Jayne possesses an intimate, firsthand understanding of the service delivery pressures and vacancy gaps that school systems face. She doesn't view her role as "just recruiting," but as a mission-aligned opportunity to build sustainable pipelines and systems that center both student outcomes and educator well-being. By combining strategic thinking from her leadership experience with a relationship-first mindset, Jayne bridges the gap between administrative accountability and the human realities of the classroom. Driven by the goal of producing measurable results for her partners, she speaks the language of school leaders and educators alike, ensuring every placement is grounded in credibility, communication, and a long-term commitment to excellence.

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Ashley Lesmeister is a dedicated education recruiter with over 7 years of experience in the education field, bringing a strong foundation from her background as a teacher. She is passionate about connecting talented professionals with roles where they can truly make an impact, supporting students, families, and school communities. Ashley takes pride in building meaningful relationships and understanding both candidate and school needs to create the best possible matches. Her commitment to education continues to drive her work, as she helps place educators and support staff in positions where they can thrive and make a difference every day.

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