Alin Valdez Santamaria
Educator
Westfield,IN
Summary
Experienced bilingual educator with strong background in curriculum development, classroom management, and student engagement. Skilled in fostering team collaboration and driving academic success. Adaptable and reliable, consistently delivering results while meeting evolving educational needs. Highly valued for leadership capabilities and ability to inspire both students and staff.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Educator
National Youth Advocate Program (TFC)
11.2023 - Current
- Supervise and mentor a team of 3 Educators and 3 Assistant Educators, fostering a collaborative environment that supports professional growth and high-quality instruction.
- Manage and monitor the completion of developmental assessments and individualized learning plans (ILPs) for each child; ensure timely and accurate date entry into education management systems.
- Design and implement a developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed curriculum tailored to the needs of a diverse and frequently transitioning population of children and youth.
- Partnered with interdisciplinary teams—including social workers and mental health professionals—to provide integrated support services for each child throughout their time in our care.
- Serve as part of the on-call leadership team, supporting crisis response and staff coordination.
Early Childhood Educator
Blue Oak Creative Schoolhouse
11.2022 - 10.2023
- Cultivated meaningful relationships with children, families, and colleagues through open communication, active listening, and a shared commitment to collaborative learning.
- Created a nurturing, respectful classroom environment that supported self-regulation and positive behavior through clear expectations, modeled conduct, and consistent, empathetic guidance.
- Facilitated inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences—including group projects and exploratory activities—aligned with the Reggio Emilia philosophy and responsive to children’s interests and developmental stages.
- Documented student learning and growth through detailed observations, portfolios, and regular communication with families, supporting transparency and partnership in each child's educational journey.
Early Childhood Educator
Temple Akiba Early Childhood Center
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Fostered a joyful, inclusive classroom environment rooted in play-based learning and Jewish values, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of community.
- Designed and facilitated developmentally appropriate, hands-on experiences that supported cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth while incorporating Jewish traditions, holidays, and Hebrew language exposure.
- Encourage moral development and empathy through storytelling, mitzvot (acts of kindness), and daily routines infused with Jewish teachings and rituals.
- Built trusting relationships with children and families by honoring each child's individually and maintaining open, respectful communication that reflected the values of partnership and community.
Early Childhood Educator
Westwood Hills Preschool
03.2015 - 08.2021
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Cultivated a safe and inclusive classroom environment that fostered respect, empathy, and cultural awareness among students.
- Fostered creativity in the classroom through art projects, dramatic play, storytelling exercises, and other imaginative pursuits.
- Strengthened parent-teacher relationships through consistent communication, increasing parental involvement in the educational process.
- Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum development, sharing best practices to improve overall instruction quality across the school.
Education
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CABachelor of Arts - Child Development
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CASkills
- Team-based learning
- Curriculum development leadership
- Culturally Responsive & Trauma Informed Approach
- Budget management
Certification
- TQUIK Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), International TEFL Academy- October 2024
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Lead Educator
National Youth Advocate Program (TFC)
11.2023 - Current
Early Childhood Educator
Blue Oak Creative Schoolhouse
11.2022 - 10.2023
Early Childhood Educator
Temple Akiba Early Childhood Center
08.2021 - 07.2022
Early Childhood Educator
Westwood Hills Preschool
03.2015 - 08.2021
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Santa Monica College
Bachelor of Arts - Child Development
California State University, Los Angeles
Similar Profiles
Melanie Norma Fitch, LMSWMelanie Norma Fitch, LMSW
Mental Health Therapist at National Youth Advocate ProgramMental Health Therapist at National Youth Advocate Program
Crystal QuinonesCrystal Quinones
Clinician Level III at National Youth Advocate ProgramClinician Level III at National Youth Advocate Program
M Gabriela Nava-BrescianiM Gabriela Nava-Bresciani
Foster Parent Growth & Retention Coord. at National Youth Advocate ProgramFoster Parent Growth & Retention Coord. at National Youth Advocate Program
Sarah FergusonSarah Ferguson
Medical Technologist at LabcorpMedical Technologist at Labcorp
Dominick EllisDominick Ellis
Litigation Attorney at Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLCLitigation Attorney at Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC