Brenda Gott
West Des Moines,IA
Summary
Organized and adaptable childcare and special education support professional with experience in infant care, preschool instruction, and IEP assistance. Strengths include student observation, curriculum adaptation, and social skills development through age-appropriate lessons. Committed to creating safe, engaging learning spaces and promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
4 Year Old Preschool Teacher
Lighthouse Kids Club
Des Moines, IA
06.2026 - 09.2026
- Planned age-appropriate lessons and play routines.
- Kept learning spaces and materials clean and safe.
- Observed child behavior and shared concerns with lead staff.
- Supported families during daily check-in and check-out communication.
- Assisted children with social skills and group participation
- Followed Lighthouse Kids Club policies and classroom schedules
- Taught children foundational skills in colors, shapes and letters.
- Established positive relationships with parents and guardians by regularly communicating student progress.
- Encouraged children to be understanding of others, show good manners and instructed in other social development behaviors.
- Assisted in providing a safe and secure environment for children.
- Conducted classroom activities to stimulate physical, mental, and social development of preschool students.
- Controlled classroom environments with clearly outlined rules and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
- Incorporated music, art, games, books, blocks, puzzles into daily instruction.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated creative teaching techniques.
- Supervised outdoor playtime while ensuring safety regulations were followed.
- Developed professional relationships with parents, teachers, directors and therapists.
- Met with parents to discuss child behavior and academic progress.
- Organized educational materials and resources to create an engaging learning environment.
Infant Teacher
Primrose Schools
West Des Moines and Urbandale, IA
06.2024 - 02.2026
- Implemented Primrose Balanced Learning activities for infant developmental stages
- Maintained safe, nurturing classroom environment for infants
- Prepared bottles, feedings, and diapering routines following Primrose care standards
- Documented infant observations and daily care updates for families
- Sanitized toys, equipment, and classroom surfaces throughout day
- Supported transitions between naps, meals, and playtime
- Communicated with parents about infant needs, routines, and classroom activities
- Assisted with lesson planning and age-appropriate sensory activities
- Sanitized toys, equipment, supplies and surfaces regularly.
- Assisted with diaper changes and assisted children with toileting needs when necessary.
- Changed diapers, used bibs and monitored behaviors to maintain good hygiene for each child.
- Helped develop gross motor skills through playtime activities such as crawling, walking, running, jumping.
- Followed safe feeding guidelines and parental requests for breastmilk, formula and solids.
- Established positive relationships with families by communicating regularly about their child's progress.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Organized and led activities to promote physical, mental and social development.
- Engaged in conversations with infants to encourage language development.
- Provided individualized care and attention to each infant in the classroom.
- Helped infants develop communication skills through baby sign language while also promoting positive behaviors and social skills.
- Encouraged independence while providing guidance during mealtime routines such as eating independently or helping feed others.
- Maintained records of attendance and provided weekly updates to parents regarding their child's activities.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Incorporated music into everyday routines to promote creativity and motor development.
- Developed and implemented daily lesson plans to support infant development.
- Planned age-appropriate activities that encouraged physical, cognitive, social-emotional growth in infants.
- Observed infants' development and documented milestones using appropriate assessment tools.
- Communicated with children's parents and guardians about daily activities, behaviors and problems.
- Modified teaching strategies and techniques to meet the individual needs of children with diverse learning styles.
- Maintained daily records of individual activities, behaviors, meals and naps.
4 Year Old Preschool Teacher
Easter Seals
Ankeny, IA
2023 - 2024
- please align Lighthouse Kids Club to provided same care needs, academic support, and parent and teacher communication skills—accomplishments and concerns.
Special Education Teacher
Colfax/Mingo School District Elementary
Colfax, IA
2022 - 2023
- Supported special education teacher with daily instruction and behavior routines.
- Helped students with assignments, transitions, and individualized learning activities.
- Prepared learning materials and organized classroom supplies for special education lessons.
- Guided students during small-group instruction and one-on-one academic support.
- Documented student observations and shared concerns with special education staff.
- Supervised students during lunch, recess, and school activities in district setting.
- Adapted instructional materials to match student needs and classroom accommodations.
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students needing extra help with learning tasks.
- Implemented behavior management strategies designed by special education staff members.
- Offered emotional support during difficult moments and crisis situations involving student.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Monitored student behavior to support safe, positive learning environment.
- Assisted with transitions from one activity to another throughout day as needed.
- Supported students with personalized accommodations, extra assistance, and educational assessments.
- Collaborated with teacher to develop personalized, successful learning strategies.
- Supported social skill development through modeling appropriate behavior and peer interactions.
- Escorted students to restroom cafeteria, outside to playground, and on field trips.
- Managed class of special education students in absence of lead teacher.
- Organized instructional materials for use in the classroom setting.
- Supervised students during lunch periods, recesses, and field trips, ensuring their safety at all times.
- Developed lesson plans for small groups or individual students that focused on academic, behavioral, and social goals established in IEPs.
- Communicated affirmatively and promoted positive attitudes with every student.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to modify educational materials to meet the individual needs of each student.
- Maintained records of student progress and communicated results to parents and other school personnel.
- Facilitated communication between home and school by providing information about student progress and activities at school.
Infant Teacher
Childtime Childcare
Des Moines, IA
2020 - 2022
- Implemented the same techniques, procedures and care as Primrose.
- Primrose Balanced Learning activities for infant developmental stages
Special Education Paraprofessional
Urbandale High School
Urbandale, Iowa
2011 - 2016
- Assisted students with assignments, transitions, and individualized learning activities.
- Monitored student behavior and reinforced classroom expectations throughout the school day.
- Guided students during small-group instruction and one-on-one academic support.
- Documented student observations and shared concerns with special education staff.
- Supervised students during lunch, recess, and school activities in the district setting.
- Adapted instructional materials to match student needs and classroom accommodations.
- Provided one-on-one instruction to students who needed extra help with learning tasks.
- Offered emotional support during times of difficulty or crisis situations involving the student.
- Encouraged independent thinking, problem solving, and self-advocacy skills among students.
- Monitored behavior of students in order to ensure a safe, positive learning environment.
- Assisted with transitioning from one activity to another throughout the day as needed by the student.
- Supported students with personalized accommodations, extra assistance, and educational assessments.
- Supported the development of social skills through modeling appropriate behavior and interactions with peers.
- Escorted students to restroom cafeteria, outside to playground, and on field trips.
- Communicated affirmatively and promoted positive attitudes with every student.
- Provided feedback on how well a student is progressing towards meeting their IEP goals.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers to modify educational materials to meet the individual needs of each student.
- Administered assessments as directed by teachers or other school personnel.
- Participated in meetings with teachers, administrators, counselors, parents and guardians, outside agencies regarding student's progress.
- Facilitated communication between home and school by providing information about student progress and activities at school.
- Provided supplemental supervision in classrooms, schoolyards, and cafeterias.
- Evaluated student needs to provide helpful resources and support.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Transcription
Kaplan University
Davenport, IASkills
- Lesson planning and curriculum design
- Child development strategies
- Behavior management techniques
- IEP support and implementation
- Classroom safety protocols
- Parent communication and engagement
- Activity coordination
- Student observation
- Small group instruction
- Curriculum adaptation
- Relationship building
- Attention to detail
- Collaborative teamwork
- Cultural sensitivity
- Positive reinforcement strategies
- Toileting and feeding support
- Social skills development
- Age-appropriate assessment
- Food handling training
- Play-based learning approaches
- Special needs support
- Play-based learning approaches
- Special needs support
- Social skill building
- Heartsaver first aid CPR AED (first aid CPR AED)
Timeline
4 Year Old Preschool Teacher
Lighthouse Kids Club
06.2026 - 09.2026
Infant Teacher
Primrose Schools
06.2024 - 02.2026
4 Year Old Preschool Teacher
Easter Seals
2023 - 2024
Special Education Teacher
Colfax/Mingo School District Elementary
2022 - 2023
Infant Teacher
Childtime Childcare
2020 - 2022
Special Education Paraprofessional
Urbandale High School
2011 - 2016
Some College (No Degree) - Medical Transcription
Kaplan University