Alica Barnes
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Creative and energetic Early Childhood Education professional devoted to offering diverse activity plans and experiential learning opportunities to enhance individual development. Friendly, supportive and motivated with strong desire to promote student potential. Offering 20+ years of experience with passion for building strong rapport with faculty, students and caregivers.
Dedicated to supporting emotional, social and academic development of young children. Trained in developmental stages and knowledgeable about offering safe, nurturing environments to boost learning. Desire to complement education-based strategies with techniques to promote overall health and wellness.
Fun Lead Preschool Teacher with excellent classroom management and curriculum development abilities. Superb written and oral communication skills. Expertise in creating educational and exciting lesson plans. Proactive and caring worker with 20+ years of experience combined with communication strengths and good observational skills. Skillfully handles day-to-day activities while looking for opportunities to make a difference.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Preschool Teacher
Spicewood Country School
09.2010 - 05.2021
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Utilized books, songs and games to engage students.
- Addressed behavioral and learning issues with parents and daycare management.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Planned educational opportunities based on children's interests.
- Promoted physical, academic, and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers, and letters.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Prepared pre-class materials.
- Assisted and supervised 10+ children through entire school day.
- Submitted weekly lesson plans.
- Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Supervised student teachers to provide objective feedback.
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Peace Lutheran Preschool
09.2007 - 05.2010
- Taught children with creative approaches, methods, and techniques.
- Maintained tidy and clean classroom consistent with safety and health standards.
- Encouraged children to interact with each other and participate in group activities.
- Promoted physical, academic, and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
- Increased student satisfaction by frequently communicating with students about needs and adapting lessons to interests and classroom progress.
- Encouraged use of technology to support student learning.
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Riverbend Church Preschool
09.2004 - 05.2007
- Taught children with creative approaches, methods, and techniques.
- Maintained tidy and clean classroom consistent with safety and health standards.
- Encouraged children to interact with each other and participate in group activities.
- Promoted physical, academic, and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Assisted teacher with developing creative program suitable for preschool children.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers, and letters.
- Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.
- Supervised children during in-classroom activities and on playground.
- Supported children's social and emotional development by encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Maintained classrooms by disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces and toys.
- Communicated with parents to inform about child's progress and classroom behavior.
- Interacted with children one-on-one and in small groups to enhance and support learning activities.
- Engaged and entertained children through recreational and educational activities.
- Assisted teacher by developing lesson plans to meet educational goals for each child.
- Prepared for lessons by gathering educational materials and setting up equipment.
- Organized snack time and nap hours.
- Assessed student performance to evaluate progress and development.
Education
High School Diploma -
Crockett High School
Austin, TX05.1983
Skills
- Learning Assessment Skills
- Parent Communication
- Curriculum Development
- Early Childhood Education
- Classroom Management
- Activity Planning
- Classroom Organization
- Lesson Planning
- Child Development
Additional Information
During my 20+ years in Preschool Education, I have fulfilled the Texas state requirement for continuing education of 24 hours per year in my field. I have a wealth of training and understanding of early childhood care and development. I have been CPR and first aid certified every year that I worked in this field.
I have raised 3 children of my own, one being a special needs child. My personal knowledge and experience has beed beneficial, adding insight to children's special needs and abilities, who might be in my care.
Timeline
Lead Preschool Teacher
Spicewood Country School
09.2010 - 05.2021
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Peace Lutheran Preschool
09.2007 - 05.2010
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Riverbend Church Preschool
09.2004 - 05.2007
High School Diploma -
Crockett High School