Aretha Stanley
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Talented Early Education professional offering 25+ years of coordinating activities to promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. Well-versed in positive reinforcement and behavior redirection. Skilled in cultivating nurturing and inclusive environments rooted in curiosity and development. Aiming to leverage my skills to successfully fill a position that will allow me to challenge my past experience in the classroom. Hardworking employee with customer service, multitasking, and time management abilities. Devoted to giving every client a positive and memorable experience.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Development Specialist
Allies For Every Child
Culver City, California
01.2026 - Current
- Developed individualized education plans for children with developmental delays.
- Trained staff on child development principles and best practices in care.
- Developed and supported positive relationships with students and parents.
- Completed early interventions to get head start on issues before students joined elementary school classes.
- Conducted home visits to evaluate the child's environment and provide support for family members.
- Monitored classroom activities to ensure compliance with state regulations related to health and safety standards.
- Maintained records regarding each child's progress over time.
- Supervised volunteer personnel, delivering in-depth training and mentoring.
Lead Teacher
UCLA ECE
Los Angeles, California
11.2024 - 01.2026
- Developed comprehensive lesson plans aligned with early childhood education standards.
- Collaborated with staff to create a nurturing learning environment for students.
- Mentored new teachers on effective classroom management techniques and instructional strategies.
- Implemented developmentally appropriate activities to enhance children's cognitive skills.
- Evaluated student performance using observational assessments and standardized tools.
- Organized activities to promote physical, mental and social development of each child.
- Worked with teachers to design interactive lessons and increase student success.
- Involved parents in student learning to increase family interaction and student support.
- Evaluated and improved classroom environment to promote ultimate learning experiences.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers during their onboarding process.
- Participated in weekly faculty meetings by providing updates on departmental goals or objectives.
- Maintained an open line of communication with administrators regarding curriculum implementation and program initiatives.
- Created detailed reports summarizing student performance data on standardized tests.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
- Developed individualized education plans for children with developmental delays.
- Created and implemented developmentally-appropriate instructional and activity plans to promote learning.
Master Teacher
Providence Saint John CDC
Santa Monica, CA
02.2023 - 10.2024
- Developed and implemented lesson plans to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Designed assessments to measure student progress towards learning objectives.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create professional development programs for faculty and staff.
- Coached teachers in best practices related to classroom management, curriculum planning, and instruction techniques.
- Facilitated small group activities that focused on problem solving strategies, critical thinking skills, and creative writing projects.
- Created a positive learning environment through effective communication with parents, administrators, staff members, and students.
- Mentored new teachers in their transition into the school system.
- Implemented differentiated instruction methods based on each student's individual strengths and weaknesses.
- Incorporated current events into daily discussions in order to foster global awareness among students.
- Prepared and maintained classroom environments appropriate for student learning and physical, social and emotional development.
- Managed student behavior in classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
- Evaluated students on monthly basis and adjusted lessons accordingly to incorporate improvements.
- Identified and documented learning achievements by reporting outcomes, performance information and program adjustments used to boost comprehension.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
Home Visitor
Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles
City Of Los Angeles, CA
10.2021 - 02.2023
- Conducted home visits to assess family needs and develop individualized goals.
- Provided resources, referrals, and follow-up services to families in need.
- Facilitated parent education classes on topics such as parenting skills, health care, nutrition, and child development.
- Developed and implemented Individual Service Plans for each family based on assessment of needs.
- Maintained accurate records of all assessments, progress notes, service plans and other documents related to client services.
- Assessed the safety of the home environment for children at risk of abuse or neglect.
- Established rapport with clients by demonstrating respect for cultural diversity.
- Supported families through crisis management strategies aimed at restoring balance within the home environment.
Lead Teacher
CCLC/Bright Horizons
Los Angeles, CA
07.2004 - 09.2021
- Created and maintained diverse strategies to engage students and deliver enriching educational opportunities.
- Involved parents in student learning to increase family interaction and student support.
- Selected optimal curricula and planned daily lessons to meet needs of children with various developmental levels.
- Assisted fellow teachers with assignments, special projects, tests, administrative updates and grading as needed.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Mentored other educators by delivering insight, positive feedback and constructive criticism.
- Completed teacher observations to identify areas for improvement and suggest changes to teaching methods.
- Oversaw safe, welcoming and highly multicultural environment open to students of all backgrounds.
Teacher's Assistant
Foundation For The Junior Blind
Los Angeles, CA
10.2001 - 09.2003
- Assisted teachers with instruction and provided clerical support for diverse needs.
- Promoted student learning by providing individualized and small group support to reinforce classroom topics.
- Built student self-confidence by working through stages of social concepts and using positive reinforcement techniques.
- Outlined unique lessons to fit individual needs in skill building and instruction on each subject.
- Coached students through challenging material with positive reinforcement and encouragement.
- Gave one on one instructional teaching to students that needed extra support.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment or materials, to prevent injuries or damage.
Preschool Teacher
Inglewood YMCA
Inglewood, CA
06.1994 - 09.2001
- Taught children foundational skills such as colors, shapes and letters.
- Maintained daily records of individual activities, behaviors, meals and naps.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Collaborated with parents to develop and maintain strong support networks and build rapport to foster seamless communication.
- Established indoor and outdoor safe play environments for toddler-age children.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Controlled classroom environments with clearly outlined rules and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and also volunteers.
- Maintained inventory of all teaching supplies and food supplies.
- Maintain records and follow up of all third party payment systems.
- Worked closely with site director, family care workers, classroom teaching team and other specialists.
- Encouraged children to be understanding of others, show good manners and instructed in other social development behaviors.
Education
Associate of Arts - Child Development
Ashford University
San Diego, CA9 2012
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Ashford University
San Diego, CA4 2015
Skills
- Safety precautions
- Department leadership
- Mentoring and coaching
- Lesson planning
- Safe learning environment
- Childcare requirements
- Analytical decision making
- Emergent curriculum
- Classroom management
- Positive atmosphere promotion
- Curriculum Implementation
- Policy Development
- Special Education
- Parent and student communication
- Reporting and documentation
- Creative lesson plan development
- Employee Relations
- Customer Relations
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Document Preparation
Timeline
Child Development Specialist
Allies For Every Child
01.2026 - Current
Lead Teacher
UCLA ECE
11.2024 - 01.2026
Master Teacher
Providence Saint John CDC
02.2023 - 10.2024
Home Visitor
Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles
10.2021 - 02.2023
Lead Teacher
CCLC/Bright Horizons
07.2004 - 09.2021
Teacher's Assistant
Foundation For The Junior Blind
10.2001 - 09.2003
Preschool Teacher
Inglewood YMCA
06.1994 - 09.2001
Associate of Arts - Child Development
Ashford University
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Ashford University