Amy Pracko
Mount Prospect,IL
Summary
Compassionate Life Enrichment Manager with hands-on experience in coordinating and implementing activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being of residents. Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage staff and volunteers effectively. Demonstrated results in enhancing quality of life for residents through personalized enrichment programs. Proven track record of fostering strong relationships with families to better understand and meet resident needs.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Life Enrichment Manager
Lutheran Life Communities
Arlington Heights, IL
12.2020 - Current
- Supervised staff members responsible for providing direct care services during activities.
- Monitored budgeting for activity supplies and equipment purchases.
- Engaged residents in meaningful conversations about their interests, hobbies, and goals, encouraging them to participate in relevant activities and programs.
- Provided individualized assistance to ensure participation in activities for those unable to do so independently.
- Created monthly activity calendars with engaging activities, events, and outings that meet the social, cognitive, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of residents.
- Communicated with patients with compassion while keeping medical information private.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive life enrichment program for residents of all ages and abilities.
- Coordinated intergenerational programs between residents and children from the surrounding community.
- Encouraged family involvement in programming whenever possible by designing activities specifically tailored towards them.
- Adapted existing programs based on changing needs within the facility or community.
- Built work schedules and staff assignments, taking workload, space and equipment availability into consideration.
- Assessed resident satisfaction with programs through surveys and focus groups.
- Educated families on available programming options while also offering support when needed.
- Maintained communication and transparency with governing boards, department heads and medical staff.
- Collaborated with other departments to coordinate facility-wide events such as holiday celebrations or fundraising initiatives.
- Established solid relations with leadership and staff by attending board meetings and coordinating interdepartmental information exchanges.
- Tracked progress of individual participants over time by assessing changes in their physical or mental health status due to involvement in activities.
- Scheduled activities designed to encourage residents to socialize among themselves and enjoy time with family members.
- Facilitated resident-driven committees to provide input on programming decisions.
- Lead weekly team meetings to discuss upcoming programs, address any issues or concerns related to programming, and assign tasks accordingly.
- Scheduled transportation for offsite trips, ensuring safety of participants at all times.
- Met with residents and asked open-ended questions to determine appropriate types of activities for facility.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance at each event and activity as well as participant feedback forms.
- Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
Preschool Director
Trinity Ventures
Mount Prospect, IL
05.2017 - 02.2021
- Supervised team to ensure continuous development and improvement.
- Led comprehensive interview processes to secure skilled teaching staff.
- Reported health concerns and posted health warnings in case of illness.
- Developed annual budget by assessing teacher and program needs and implementing cost-effective solutions.
- Planned large-scale preschool events.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to parents on their child's educational growth.
- Provided guidance to teachers on lesson planning and instructional strategies that would lead to better learning outcomes among students.
- Oversaw day-to-day activities of preschool.
- Coordinated facility operations by establishing logical policies and communicating to staff, teachers and parents.
- Organized professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
- Monitored compliance with state, federal and company regulations, standards and requirements.
- Prepared monthly reports outlining the overall performance of the preschool program.
- Managed financial resources allocated for the preschool program, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting activities.
- Achieved budgetary targets by monitoring expenses and resource utilization, cutting waste and strengthening revenue streams.
- Communicated with parents and fostered strong professional relationships.
- Maintained detailed records of student attendance, academic progress reports, disciplinary actions taken against students.
- Worked with parents and staff to improve student behavioral and learning issues with proactive approaches.
- Handled admission and placement of new students.
- Led team-building exercises for staff to improve communication and teamwork.
- Set and enhanced program schedules to meet expected demands and enhance student learning opportunities.
- Determined allocations of funds for staff, equipment and authorized purchases.
- Assisted teachers with developing age-appropriate curricula that meets all state standards for early childhood education programs.
- Managed school's social media accounts to promote positive image to area families.
- Facilitated parent-teacher conferences throughout the year in order to discuss individual student needs or concerns.
- Inspected facility and activities to monitor safety, sanitation and procedures.
- Reviewed applications from prospective families interested in enrolling their children into the program.
- Increased new enrollment and return enrollment .
- Coordinated field trips, special events, and other extracurricular activities for preschoolers.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Preschool Teacher/Assistant Director
Trinity Preschool Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect, IL
11.2006 - 05.2018
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on educational trends.
- Facilitated group play activities that encouraged collaboration among students.
- Directed and supervised children during field trips and special activities.
- Incorporated music, art, games, books, blocks, puzzles into daily instruction.
- Implemented appropriate disciplinary measures when necessary according to school policies.
- Taught children foundational skills in colors, shapes and letters.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated creative teaching techniques.
- Controlled classroom environments with clearly outlined rules and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Provided individual attention to each student as needed during class time.
- Adapted instructional techniques according to student learning styles and progress.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Observed children to record development.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers on various projects related to curriculum design and implementation.
- Utilized technology such as computers and tablets in the classroom setting.
- Supervised outdoor playtime while ensuring safety regulations were followed.
- Read stories to children and taught painting, drawing, and crafts.
- Encouraged children to be understanding of others, show good manners and instructed in other social development behaviors.
- Communicated with parents regularly to maintain student progress, schedule meetings, and increase overall student happiness.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills through problem solving activities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Care And Education
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL01-1997
Skills
- Senior care expertise
- Memory care techniques
- Activity planning
- Volunteer recruitment
- Effective collaboration and interaction
- Programming implementation
- Recruiting and hiring
- Activity coordination
- Volunteer management
- Monthly event calendars
- Scheduling oversight
- Issue resolution
- Chaperoning events
- Inclusivity practices
Certification
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Affiliations
- Rainbow Hospice Volunteer
- Completed 9 marathons for various charitable organizations
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Life Enrichment Manager
Lutheran Life Communities
12.2020 - Current
Preschool Director
Trinity Ventures
05.2017 - 02.2021
Preschool Teacher/Assistant Director
Trinity Preschool Mount Prospect
11.2006 - 05.2018
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Care And Education
Roosevelt University
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