Carlee Zissel

Educational Leadership:

• Ensure best practices in providing a developmentally appropriate curriculum for birth through Pre-K students.
• Provide support and guidance to educators in lesson planning and classroom management.
• Monitor and support classroom staff to ensure effective delivery of educational programs anf goals.
• Monitor weekly lesson plans through Procare engagement app
• Facilitate the development of individualized learning plans that meet the needs of all children, including children with special needs.
• Work closely with Early Intervention to meet individual needs.
• Attend yearly Early Intervention and IEP meetings
• Ensure that classroom environments are safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.

Staff Supervision and Development:

• Supervise, coach, and collaborate with teaching staff to enhance their professional growth and ensure the successful implementation of educational goals.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback to staff.
• Lead and support staff meetings, professional development workshops, and training.
• Support staff in lesson planning through the Procare engagement program.
• Provide staff with monthly curriculum maps.
• Foster a positive and supportive work environment that encourages collaboration, respect, and accountability.

Operational Management:

• Oversee daily operations including staff and child attendance, food service, classroom scheduling, and facilities management.
• Ensure compliance with all safety protocols and regulatory guidelines
• Act as the point of contact for parents, providing them with essential information, support, and resources.
• Ensure the center maintains compliance with NYS licensing and regulations.
• Manage school enrollment and classroom placement

Parent and Community Engagement:

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for parents and families.
• Tour new parents and guild them through the enrollment process
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians to foster strong partnerships and ensure the success of each child.
• Enroll parents in the Procare Engagement app to help them stay connection to their child classroom and curriculum.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Monitor site visits and inspections from NYS
• Prepare and submit necessary reports, records, and documentation in a timely manner.

As the Educational Director of the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) program I was responsible for overseeing the educational philosophy and teaching practices of the program. My key responsibilities include:

• Manage and oversee three UPK classrooms.
• Supervise 54 UPK students.
• Collaborate with the Croton Harmon School District to ensure alignment with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Plan and supervise the UPK program in accordance with the program's educational philosophy.
• Observe, coach, and provide feedback to teachers regarding their teaching practices.
• Provide teachers with monthly curriculum maps aligning with the Pre-K NYS Learning Standards.
• Establishing relationships with parents to foster an environment where parents feel welcomed and involved in their child's educational experience.
• Ensuring compliance with DOE & DOH requirements and maintaining operational and educational outcomes.
• Implement the Brigance Early Childhood Screen three times a year to assess a child’s school readiness while providing their teachers with a snapshot of a child’s mastery of early developmental and academic skills.
• Supply Classroom with the proper teaching tools.
• Identify any child who may be developmentally delayed and working with Early Intervention to provided need services.
• Conduct professional development workshops to ensure teachers' knowledge and practice meet mandates.
• Structure the Before and Aftercare UPK Program.
• Manage the wait list and classroom placement.
• Organize and oversea the UPK graduation.

• Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans to foster early childhood development.
• Created a nurturing classroom environment that promoted social and emotional learning.
• Collaborated with parents to support children's individual growth and development goals.
• Developed age-appropriate educational materials that enhanced learning experiences.
• Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
• Evaluated student progress through formative and summative assessments, utilizing data-driven methods to inform instructional decisions.
• Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
• Enhanced classroom environment by creating visually appealing bulletin boards and displays, promoting a positive learning atmosphere.
• Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
• Organized and hosted the Pre-K graduation