Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Amy Rademacher

Bloomington,IL

Summary

Seasoned child care professional poised to contribute to team success with dedication and enthusiasm. Highly skilled in collaborative leadership, team management and multi-faceted program development. Focused on providing consistent, supportive family engagement and inclusive community outreach. Thrives in creative problem-solving, cultivating impactful contributions and building meaningful relationships to achieve reliable results. Known for adaptability while navigating challenges to meet changing needs and advance organizational goals.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Children's and Youth Ministries

St. John's Lutheran Church
01.2019 - Current
  • Collaborated with church leadership to develop strategic plans aligned with the organization''s mission and vision, fostered a welcoming environment for faith development by creating opportunities for worship, fellowship, service and learning among children, youth, and their families.
  • Recruited and trained strong volunteer teams, providing guidance on best practices and church policies.
  • Managed safe environments by ensuring comprehensive background checks were conducted on all volunteer staff.
  • Administrated tasks efficiently, ensuring timely communication with families, accurate record-keeping, and adherence to church goals and objectives across 10-15 yearly programs.
  • Increased children and youth attendance in worship, programs and events through targeted marketing strategies, curriculum improvements and upgrades and focused needs assessment, while building strong partnerships with parents to encourage active involvement in their child''s faith development.
  • Boosted community outreach efforts by organizing and leading service projects tailored to the needs of local organizations.
  • Secured resources for ministry programs by analyzing revenue and ministry needs, managing budgets and available resources and implementing fundraising effectively.
  • Effectively utilized social media and digital membership data base tools to manage communication, track activities and registrations, invite engagement and capture ministry stories and report outcomes.
  • Provided compassionate care for young people and families experiencing personal crises or challenges in their faith journeys.

Preschool Director

Cadence Academy Preschool (Rogy's Learning Place)
02.2010 - 12.2018
  • Established school policies and communications for well-coordinated and high-quality care, education, customer serve and general daily operations for 40+ staff, 100+ families and 150-200 children.
  • Collaborated with parents and teaching staff to create an inclusive environment, accommodating diverse learning needs, and strategies to enhance student learning and behavior.
  • Developed relationships with community organizations to provide additional resources and services to families.
  • Managed efficient scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation for optimal program performance, organized successful fundraising events to support program enhancements.
  • Assisted parents in navigating the state child care subsidy program, managed cases, coordinated communication with the state agency and advocated for their continued participation in the program with government leaders
  • Oversaw interview and hiring of high-quality teachers and staff, conducted staff evaluations and provided constructive feedback, fostering professional growth and development.
  • Increased enrollment rates by implementing targeted marketing strategies and hosting informative open house events, tours and social activities for prospective families.
  • Promoted a culture of collaboration among staff members through team-building activities and workshops as well as provided on-going training and professional development for teachers.
  • Oversaw safety requirements, inspection, and certification procedures to facilitate annual licensing review as well as national accreditation processes.

Assistant Preschool Director

Rogy's Learning Place
05.2004 - 02.2010
  • Coordinated with the Director and external agencies to ensure compliance with state licensing regulations and national accreditation standards to maintain an exemplary safety and educational record.
  • Assisted the Director in recruitment efforts, developed staff on-boarding systems for training new hires once potential candidates completed the hiring process.
  • Evaluated and supervised 40+ staff and offered constructive feedback and guidance to enhance knowledge and skills, developed a teacher mentorship program, fostering collaboration among staff members and promoting professional growth opportunities, resulting in overall staff retention and satisfaction rates.
  • Created a welcoming environment for prospective families by conducting informative tours of the preschool facility.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on industry trends and emerging teaching methodologies, sharing new information with teaching staff.
  • Supported the development of 10 inclusive classrooms by working closely with special education professionals and child mental health consultants to modify curriculum and classroom structures as needed.
  • In collaboration with the Director, teachers and parents, implemented an effective behavior management system that promoted positive social interactions among students, modernized instructional plans and educational approaches to enhance the experience through diverse learning and play activities for 150-200 students per year.
  • Established and optimized program schedules to cover planned needs while capitalizing on opportunities to improve student learning.

Education

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education

Heartland Community College
Normal, IL
05-2000

Skills

  • Experienced in prioritizing concurrent responsibilities
  • Analytical problem-solving & decision-making
  • Adaptable work methodology
  • Budget management
  • Effective organizational qualifications
  • Intrinsic motivation
  • Volunteer management and guidance
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

Accomplishments

  • Successfully implemented six annual Vacation Bible School programs impacting 800+ children and 500+ volunteers within the local community.
  • Executed a variety of fundraising events and giving initiatives to benefit Children & Youth Ministries learning programs, camp opportunities and other fellowship events over five years. Funds raised = nearly $50,000.
  • Adapted ministry programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing creativity and virtual platforms to maintain relationships and engagement with children, youth and parents effectively.
  • Effectively managed and supervised 200+ child care staff, provided customer care & accountability for hundreds of children and families over 16 years
  • Acting general contractor for child care facility renovation project with a $500,000 budget over six month period. Included coordinated communications with sub-contractors and corporate departments, on-site decisions and supervision and facilitating move in at completion of project. Coordinated re-location options during the project for 200+ children and 40+ staff, supervised each location daily, managed operations at each site both in-person and remotely, coordinating staff schedules, parent communications, overall customer service and compliance with host facilities' policies and procedures.
  • Successfully attained the confirmed accreditation for two preschools from NAC and NAEYC over 16 year career as Preschool Director and Assistant Director.

Certification

  • Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification, February 2025 National Council for Mental Wellbeing
  • Children's Pastors Conference, January 2022, International Network of Children's Ministries
  • NAEYC Accreditation, Cadence Academy Preschool, Normal, IL - 2015 & 2018
  • NAC Accreditation, Rogy's Learning Place, Normal, IL - 2009 & 2012
  • Illinois Gateways to Opportunities Star Program, Silver Star, Cadence Academy Preschool, 2018


Timeline

Director of Children's and Youth Ministries

St. John's Lutheran Church
01.2019 - Current

Preschool Director

Cadence Academy Preschool (Rogy's Learning Place)
02.2010 - 12.2018

Assistant Preschool Director

Rogy's Learning Place
05.2004 - 02.2010

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education

Heartland Community College

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