Brandi Serper
Smithtown
Summary
Energetic, organized and compassionate preschool teacher with engaging nature and enthusiasm for classroom education. Dedicated to providing students with safe, nurturing, supportive and inclusive learning environment. Detail-oriented and committed to forming meaningful relationships with children and families. Team player with ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and willing to take on added responsibilities. Over 30 years working with young children and toddlers, many with special needs, as well as at-risk teens in homes, camps, schools and shelters.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Preschool Teacher
St. Andrew’s Cooperative Preschool
09.2019 - 08.2024
- Supervised three classes of 8-10 two year olds, creating a safe, nurturing, inclusive and fun learning environment.
- Assisted with teaching, planning for and organizing two classes of 14-20 three and four year olds.
- Developed enriching and interactive activities, and implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet the needs of and engage our young learners.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication regarding their child's progress, fostering increased and continuing family involvement.
- Shared weekly and monthly updates with families regarding school functions, events and closings.
- Maintained regular and frequent communication with parents regarding child's progress and/or challenges, encouraging a collaborative approach to education.
- Planned holiday, graduation and various special events throughout the year, as well as 'theme days' that coincided with lessons.
- Completed evaluations for Early Intervention, participated in assessment meetings, advocated for services for students and collaborated in the classroom with SEITs.
- Incorporated play-based learning opportunities into daily routines, allowing students to explore and learn through hands-on experiences, including art, music, sensory tables, and through gym and playground games.
- Assisted with fundraising and coordinating volunteers.
- Mentored assistant teachers and supervised classroom volunteers.
- Ordered, organized and maintained classroom supplies.
- Participated in board and budget meetings.
Program Coordinator
Hospital Audiences, Inc
08.2002 - 07.2007
- Managed an HIV Prevention contract totaling $199,000 from the New York City Department of Health, a contract with New York State Department of Mental Health totaling almost $42,000, and a music program for children in hospitals and shelters totaling nearly $45,000.
- Coordinated a Youth Leadership and Violence Prevention Program presented in New York City public high schools.
- Recruited, auditioned, hired, evaluated and managed a diverse group of professional facilitators and peer educators to prevent HIV and STD prevention, domestic violence prevention, bullying prevention, and conflict resolution programs in New York City public schools and community-based organizations (such as shelters).
- Scheduled 200 HIV prevention workshops yearly and 40 domestic violence prevention workshops for women living in NYC single family and Tier II shelters, drop-in centers, community hotels and domestic violence shelters.
- Booked musicians, dancers, poets, and other performing artists to provide 400 shows yearly in New York State's Psychiatric Centers.
- Oversaw trainings, evaluations, curricula development, program budgets and reporting.
- Conducted site visits and outreach, in addition to networking with other agencies.
Associate Director of Operations
Neopolitan Lighthouse
03.2001 - 05.2002
- Hired, trained, supervised and evaluated (15) clinical and support staff, and numerous volunteers and interns.
- Evaluated the domestic violence shelter's services and developed new program initiatives as specific needs were identified.
- Ensured each client received case management services.
- Conducted weekly staff meetings and trainings, and coordinated staff schedules.
- Facilitated weekly domestic violence education groups with clients.
- Provided counseling and referrals to residential clients, as well as to survivors of domestic violence who called agency's hotline.
- Advocated individually and systematically on behalf of battered women and their children.
- Developed and supervised an on-site preschool for residents' children.
- Remained on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, responding to and assisting with client and shelter questions and emergencies.
Legal Advocate
Neopolitan Lighthouse
02.2000 - 03.2001
- Provided survivors of domestic violence with information regarding their legal rights and advocated for them throughout their legal proceedings.
- Accompanied clients to court dates, preparing them for and assisting them in the process of obtaining civil and criminal orders of protection, enforcing orders of protection, filing police reports, pursuing criminal charges, filing for child support and/or divorce, and requesting victim compensation.
- Lead bi-weekly client groups and monthly trainings with staff on vital legal issues regarding victims' rights.
Subsidy Specialist
Child Care Initiatives, Inc.
02.1998 - 02.2000
- Reviewed and processed applications for subsidized child care.
- Prepared and maintained documentation and correspondence related to parent and provider eligibility.
- Trained new hires on various computer and application processes.
Residential Counselor
Boys Hope Of California
07.1996 - 08.1997
- Lived and worked with at-risk youth (9-18 years old), offering care, support, structure, counseling and tutoring.
- Oversaw household's budget, shopping, meals, chores and activities.
- Gained community support and secured various local donations for the home and its residents.
- Kept records of daily logs, counseling sessions, family visits and participation in religious services, as well as extra curricular activities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology And French
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN05.1996
Skills
- Delivering instruction
- Classroom management and organization
- Caring and Empathetic Demeanor
- Student assessment
- Parent Communication
- Curriculum Development
- Positive Reinforcement
- Schedule creation and maintenance
- Child CPR and First Aid
- Motivating and Inspiring Students
Timeline
Lead Preschool Teacher
St. Andrew’s Cooperative Preschool
09.2019 - 08.2024
Program Coordinator
Hospital Audiences, Inc
08.2002 - 07.2007
Associate Director of Operations
Neopolitan Lighthouse
03.2001 - 05.2002
Legal Advocate
Neopolitan Lighthouse
02.2000 - 03.2001
Subsidy Specialist
Child Care Initiatives, Inc.
02.1998 - 02.2000
Residential Counselor
Boys Hope Of California
07.1996 - 08.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology And French
University of Notre Dame
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