Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Brenna McQuien

Kyle,TX

Summary

Enthusiastic and compassionate educator that has a breadth of experience working with children from diverse backgrounds. I have worked with children that are: special needs, medically fragile, low income, English learners, foster care, and unhoused. My approach emphasizes participating with my children as they explore their environment, ensuring that the environment I create and experiences I facilitate provide meaningful learning opportunities, and using best practices ensure children in my care have an environment that allows for healthy development.

In addition to providing enriching learning opportunities to children, I have facilitated trainings on cooking with children 0-5 and am known for my creativity in activities.

My joy in both planning and teaching allows for my children to have rich learning experiences that foster a desire life long learning.

Overview

2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead Toddler Teacher

Child Inc. Head Start Program
04.2024 - Current
  • Use best practices to create a learning environment that was safe and engaging.
  • Incorporate Montessori and Reggio Emilia pedagogy alongside Head Start school readiness goals.
  • Evaluate children's development with ASQ and CLI screenings and assess children with TeachStrategies Gold.
  • Communicate regularly with parents in person and online platforms to update them on their child's development, parenting sills education, and available resources and services.
  • Foster independence in children by introducing practical life skills through supportive self-care routines, family style meals, and cleaning responsibilities.
  • Evaluate children for qualifications for disability services and help parents begin referral process for disability and mental health services.
  • Provide bilingual education to children whose first language is not English.

Life Skills Paraprofessional

Austin ISD
08.2023 - 01.2024
  • Implemented IEPs across various learning environments.
  • Provided support to students in crisis to ensure safety for student and staff.
  • Implemented behavior management strategies to maintain a structured learning environment conducive to success.
  • Documented behavior and academic improvement.
  • Coordinated with therapist to maintain consistency between therapy and the learning environment.

Curriculum Coordinator

Sammy's House
05.2023 - 08.2023
  • Adapted infant-preschool curriculum to accommodate special needs children.
  • Implemented Reggio Emilia practices to create engaging and inviting classroom environments for children.
  • Supported teachers in resourcing materials and creating age appropriate activities.
  • Assessed children with Hawaii Early Learning Profile (HELP) developmental screening.
  • Implemented practices that meet Texas Rising Star accreditation.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - World Religion

Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
05-2023

Skills

  • Child-centered approach
  • Adaptive teaching strategies
  • Group and individual instruction
  • Observation and assessment
  • Age-appropriate activities
  • Environmental assessment and design
  • Lesson plan implementation

Certification

  • Infant and Toddler CDA
  • CPI non-violent crisis intervention
  • Paraprofessional certification
  • CPR certification
  • First Aid Certification


Languages

Spanish
Professional Working

Timeline

Lead Toddler Teacher

Child Inc. Head Start Program
04.2024 - Current

Life Skills Paraprofessional

Austin ISD
08.2023 - 01.2024

Curriculum Coordinator

Sammy's House
05.2023 - 08.2023

Bachelor of Arts - World Religion

Texas State University