Anna Dillon
Summary
Nurturing and passionate Montessori Teacher enthusiastically seeking an opportunity to tackle new responsibilities using my knowledge and expertise to "follow the child". Excellent knowledge and training in Montessori pedagogy, child development for the child in the first plane (birth to six years), culturally responsive teaching practices, and the cultivation of inclusive learning environments. With both my AMI (0-3) and MACTE (3-6) trainings, I am dedicated to supporting the social, cognitive, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of children and bring a joyful attitude to this important work. I am diligent in my observations and use this information to guide students to reach a mastery of skills with maximum independence and an ongoing love of learning.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Primrose Schools
01.2022 - Current
- Utilize Montessori philosophy, curriculum and techniques to develop student's full potential and treat each child with dignity and respect.
- Prepare the environment each day where furnishings and materials correspond to the needs of the children and I pay careful attention to maintaining a clean, orderly and attractive Montessori learning environment.
- Support the lead guide in delivering Montessori lessons with aim of promoting coordination, concentration, independence and order in a safe and positive learning environment.
- Encourage and inspire a classroom culture where children have high self-expectations with strong self-motivation and self-direction.
- Maintain a daily records of individual activities, behaviors, meals and naps.
Continent Correspondent Volunteer
North Country Academy
02.2021 - 06.2021
- I was one of two volunteer Continent Correspondents for North America for Montessori Everywhere project highlighting voices in the global Montessori community through interview video recordings.
- Facilitated conversations with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, sexual, gender, and religious orientations and backgrounds. Developed questions addressing how to make Montessori schools and teacher training programs more accessible to BIPOC communities. I had the opportunity to learn from the interviewees' vast life experiences as Montessori educators, innovators, and changemaker.
Montessori Homeschool Tutor
Whittier City School District
10.2020 - 12.2020
- As in-person classroom learning became less viable in 2020, I worked with Kids Collaborative to identify and serve the needs of individual families who desired a personalized Montessori curriculum
- Worked with children between 18 months and five years and cultivated and programs unique to each individual.
- Observed students for specific learning styles and planned activities to maximize learning.
- Developed lesson plans based on observations of students' areas of interests, strengths, and areas that needed more attention
Assistant Toddler Teacher
Sioux City Community School District
11.2019 - 06.2020
- Worked as an Assistant Teacher in a Montessori Toddler classroom for children between 18 months and 3 years.
- Supported the lead teacher with daily classroom activities and maintained a tidy and clean classroom consistent with safety and health standards.
- Assisted children with the Montessori work cycle, mealtime, outdoor time, and naptime. I also assisted the children with toilet learning while they were in the process of learning to use the toilet independently.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and implemented improvement strategies.
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Education First
09.2019 - 11.2019
- Worked at a Montessori school as an Assistant Teacher floating between three classrooms.
- Assisted in the Infant, Toddler, and Primary classrooms, giving me a chance to work with all three age groups that the school offers.
- Assisted the children with the Montessori work cycle, mealtime, naptime, outdoor time, as well as the transitions between all of these components of the daily routine.
Lead Montessori Teacher
Shelby County School District
05.2018 - 05.2019
- Worked in a Primary Montessori classroom as one of two lead guides. The knowledge of the child in the second sub-plane (3-6) served as a foundation for my later work with children from 0-3, witnessing which sensitive periods take over and the difference between the unconscious and conscious Absorbent Mind.
- Delivered Montessori lessons in Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Culture with the aim of promoting coordination, concentration, independence and order in a safe and positive learning environment.
- Established classroom culture of strong self-motivation and self-direction.
- Fostered positive relationships with parents and communicated children's' progress via regular conferences and newsletters.
Substitute Teacher
Downtown Montessori Simcoe Place
02.2018 - 05.2018
- I worked at a Montessori school as a substitute teacher
- I assisted in the Infant, Toddler, and Primary classrooms when a supply teacher was needed based on excellent referrals and trusted performance.
- I worked with all age groups with the Montessori work cycle, mealtimes, naptime, outdoor play, music, yoga, and French class.
ESL Tutor
Self-Employed
10.2015 - 10.2017
- Worked as a private ESL tutor in Toronto, Canada and Shanghai, China creating and developing instructional materials tailored to each student's abilities and needs.
- Communicated with students by articulating clearly, selecting vocabulary and assessing comprehension by varying methods.
- Developed extra activities, games and flashcards for reinforcement of curriculum, seeing the benefit of engaging all the senses in learning. I found Montessori education through researching educational approaches that used concrete materials to teach abstract concepts.
ESL Teacher
Best Learning Education
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Worked at an English training school for primary school aged children in China and taught lessons encompassing a range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Developed lesson plans to teach course materials according to schedule and employed kinesthetic, visual and auditory approaches to make lessons interesting and interactive.
- This position not only enhanced my leadership skills, but also helped me with classroom management, adaptability, and patience.
- Working in a foreign country also heightened my understanding and respect for other cultures in the workplace and beyond. This guided my work in future classrooms in creating multicultural awareness and inclusion to help students of all backgrounds succeed, feel seen and accepted, and appropriately represented.
Sprouts Program Volunteer
Evergreen Brickworks
10.2015 - 01.2016
- Volunteered for the Sprouts Program, an outdoor based education program for toddlers accompanied by their parents.
- The program was geared towards helping children form a special connection with nature and the outdoor environment.
- Assisted the children and program coordinators with nature walks, arts and crafts using materials found outdoors, and song and story time.
Workshop Coordinator and Volunteer
New Futures Organizations
02.2015 - 03.2015
- I started a fundraiser to bring over 100 hula hoops to Cambodia for children to use for dance and fitness workshops I led at six different village schools.
- The focus of the program was for the children to develop confidence and joy through creative self-expression and movement.
- Fostered positive and trusting relationships with students to increase engagement in joyful movement.
Early Childhood Assistant
Thornhill Tots Daycare
12.2014 - 01.2015
- Supervised and cared for children between the ages of one and three years old, assisting the children in all aspects of their daily routine.
- Enhanced academic, social and emotional learning with use of structured playtime and unstructured free play.
- Formed close relationships with each child's parents and provided full feedback into their child's acquisition of the developmental milestones appropriate to their age and stage of development.
Volunteer English Teacher
New Futures Organization
02.2012 - 04.2012
- Instructed students of various ages, backgrounds, and learning styles by employing a variety of instructional resources.
- Engaged students and created entertaining lessons to hold interest and encourage learning using songs, pictures, gestures and facial expressions.
Education
Master of Education - Montessori Education
Loyola University
Baltimore, MD04.2023
AMI (0-3) Assistants To Infancy - Montessori Teacher Education
The Montessori Institute Denver
Denver, CO08.2020
MACTE Early Childhood Diploma (2 1/2-6) - Montessori Teacher Education
Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute
Toronto06.2018
TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certification (140 Hours) - English-as-a-Second-Language Education
Oxford Seminars
Toronto11.2015
Bachelor of Arts - East Asian Studies
York University
Toronto 10.2014
High School Diploma -
Metropolitan Preparatory Academy
Toronto06.2008
Skills
- Mastery of Montessori Pedagogy Ages 0-6
- Active and Empathetic Listener
- Keen Observer and Researcher
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Organized
- Calm and Patient Attitude
- Ability to Effectively Work With Parents and Caregivers
- Excellent Classroom Management
- Schedule Creation and Maintenance
- Diligent Record Keeping
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Relationship and Community Building
Timeline
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Primrose Schools
01.2022 - Current
Continent Correspondent Volunteer
North Country Academy
02.2021 - 06.2021
Montessori Homeschool Tutor
Whittier City School District
10.2020 - 12.2020
Assistant Toddler Teacher
Sioux City Community School District
11.2019 - 06.2020
Assistant Montessori Teacher
Education First
09.2019 - 11.2019
Lead Montessori Teacher
Shelby County School District
05.2018 - 05.2019
Substitute Teacher
Downtown Montessori Simcoe Place
02.2018 - 05.2018
ESL Teacher
Best Learning Education
01.2016 - 01.2017
ESL Tutor
Self-Employed
10.2015 - 10.2017
Sprouts Program Volunteer
Evergreen Brickworks
10.2015 - 01.2016
Workshop Coordinator and Volunteer
New Futures Organizations
02.2015 - 03.2015
Early Childhood Assistant
Thornhill Tots Daycare
12.2014 - 01.2015
Volunteer English Teacher
New Futures Organization
02.2012 - 04.2012
Master of Education - Montessori Education
Loyola University
AMI (0-3) Assistants To Infancy - Montessori Teacher Education
The Montessori Institute Denver
MACTE Early Childhood Diploma (2 1/2-6) - Montessori Teacher Education
Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute
TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certification (140 Hours) - English-as-a-Second-Language Education
Oxford Seminars
Bachelor of Arts - East Asian Studies
York University
High School Diploma -
Metropolitan Preparatory Academy