Bethany Denton
Davis Junction,IL
Summary
Experienced and enthusiastic early childhood educator with a decade of dedicated service in the field of early childhood education. Committed to empowering children by fostering their social, academic, and creative abilities, contributing to their overall well-being and growth. Possesses a deep understanding of developmental milestones and utilizes engaging activities to cultivate curiosity and active participation in learning.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Building Substitute Teacher
Meridian School District #223, Highland Elementary
08.2024 - Current
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Supervised lunchroom and recess activities.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
Preschool Teacher
Meridian School District #223, Highland Elementary
08.2022 - 07.2024
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning in accordance with the HIghscope Curriculum.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Participated as a team member for IEP meetings and planning including developing IEP goals and progress monitoring.
- Facilitated one on one developmental screenings utilizing the DIAL 4
Substitute Teacher
Meridian School District #223
08.2020 - 05.2022
- Full time substitute teacher for Prek through 12th grade classrooms throughout the district
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
Center Director and Classroom Head Teacher
Cardinal Corner Ladders of Learning
08.2019 - 07.2020
- Directed childcare center in compliance to IL DCFS licensing policies
- Oversaw coordination with state food program
- Created and managed enrollment forms and organization
- Tracked staff training
- Head teacher in the PreK classroom, working with children ages three years old to five years old
- Created and implemented a developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Daily communication with parents and connected families to local resources when needed.
Site Coordinator
Shelter Care Ministries
09.2011 - 06.2016
- Oversaw child care program homeless families in the Rockford area
- Implemented a daily curriculum based on NAEYC recommendations for developmentally appropriate practice and Illinois DCFS licensing
- Planned nutritional menus for children newborn through school age
- Daily communication with parents discussing the developmental needs of their children and connected families to local resources
- Trained and supervised staff members and community volunteers
- Maintained a database and compiled statistics for grant reporting
- Advocated for homeless children throughout the community and worked with the community to obtain donations and grants.
- Coordinated site investigations, documented issues, and escalated to executive teams.
- Scheduled staff and volunteers to cover all necessary duties during planned events.
Owner and Head Teacher/Care Giver
Kid at Heart Preschool and Child Care
01.2009 - 07.2011
- Designed and facilitated a preschool and child care program in my home
- Implemented a daily curriculum based on NAEYC recommendations for developmentally appropriate practice and Utah state licensing
- Planned nutritional menus for children newborn through school age
- Daily communication with parents discussing the developmental needs of their children and how to meet those needs both at home and in the child care setting.
- Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
Student Assistance Counselor
KP Counseling
09.2007 - 06.2008
- Worked in local elementary schools facilitating group therapy sessions for at risk children
- Children in the groups dealt with a variety of issues such as death, divorce, family drug use and criminal activity
- Many of the children also had personal issues such as ADHD, autism, learning disabilities and depression
- Lead classroom discussions teaching children about various character traits
- Conducted individual assessments on referred children for group
- Met with children individually in counseling like setting.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
Child Development Specialist
NIU Campus Care
08.2002 - 08.2004
- Head teacher of early childhood classrooms
- Developed level-appropriate lessons and activities to support skill-building needs.
- Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children with special needs and developmental delays.
- Provided community resources and education to families to increase knowledge and advocacy skills.
- Worked with a variety of age groups: toddlers, twos and threes, preschool and school age
- Responsible for developing and planning daily classroom curriculum including circle times, special projects and classroom center setup
- Worked with children with special needs such as ADHD, autism and sensory integration
- Supervised and trained student classroom aides
- Created child development assessment portfolios for children
- Held regular parent teacher conferences as well as daily parent communication.
Education
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL05-2025
Bachelor of Science - Marriage, Family And Human Development
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT08-2002
Related Volunteer Experience
- Byron Civic Theater, Stage Manager and Stage Crew Member, Byron, IL, 2022 - present
- Meridian Junior High School PTO, PTO President, Stillman Valley, IL, 2017 - 2018
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Primary President, Byron, IL Branch, 2018 - 2024
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Primary President, DeKalb, IL Ward, 2007 - 2009
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Seminary Teacher, Byron Branch, 2013 - 2014
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Seminary Teacher, Sycamore Ward, 2002 - 2004
Additional Credentials
- IL Gateways Early Childhood Level 5 Credential
- CPR and First Aide Certified
- CPI (crisis prevention) NCI with Advanced Physical Skills Trained, blue card
Timeline
Building Substitute Teacher
Meridian School District #223, Highland Elementary
08.2024 - Current
Preschool Teacher
Meridian School District #223, Highland Elementary
08.2022 - 07.2024
Substitute Teacher
Meridian School District #223
08.2020 - 05.2022
Center Director and Classroom Head Teacher
Cardinal Corner Ladders of Learning
08.2019 - 07.2020
Site Coordinator
Shelter Care Ministries
09.2011 - 06.2016
Owner and Head Teacher/Care Giver
Kid at Heart Preschool and Child Care
01.2009 - 07.2011
Student Assistance Counselor
KP Counseling
09.2007 - 06.2008
Child Development Specialist
NIU Campus Care
08.2002 - 08.2004
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education
Northern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Marriage, Family And Human Development
Brigham Young University
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