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Christina Molinaro

Christina Molinaro

Early Childhood Educator
Flagstaff,AZ

Languages

Spanish
Limited Working

Quote

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson

Summary

Dynamic Mentor Teacher and Leader with over 25 years of experience in Early and Elementary Education and Programming (and still learning!). Passionately committed to working with young children and their families to support whole child development and build the skills needed for lifelong learning within a warm and engaging environment that reflects the child's culture and interests. Friendly and personable professional willing to take on any challenge and work alongside others toward building and growing highly effective early childhood programs that exemplify child-centered and research-proven approaches. Seasoned teacher aspiring to support, educate, and inspire future generations of Early Childhood Educators.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
2
2

Certifications

4
4

Endorsements

2
2

Degrees in Education (5/24)

Work History

Tinkergarten Leader, Trainer, and Mentor

Tinkergarten
07.2017 - Current


  • Leads STEAM-inspired and play-based outdoor learning classes for children 18 mo-9 yr and their parents and caregivers.
  • Inspires exploration, learning and social development in a multi-age class community through carefully designed lessons that are open-ended and engaging.
  • Educates parents and caregivers about child development and the value of child-led play experiences.
  • Prepares and teaches in person and online courses to provide invitations for play and learning for children, parents, and leaders.
  • Performs continuous evaluations of content and plans in order to enhance delivery and improve lesson and program effectiveness.
  • Develops and leads free community events that increase program awareness and early childhood enrichment activities.
  • Records videos of classes for use in trainings for leaders or by remote learners and families nationwide.
  • Mentored new leaders through ongoing support and instruction, resulting in a more competent, capable, and confident teaching team.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of company mission and values in roles as leader, mentor, and advocate for high-quality early learning education.

Play School Teacher

Self-employed
09.2014 - 06.2017
  • Designed a play-based preschool program to promote child-led early learning.
  • Promoted social, academic, and physical development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
  • Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning in an outdoor learning environment.
  • Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
  • Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
  • Developed developmentally appropriate activities and programs for children 4 to 5 years old.
  • Communicated with parents through daily notes and direct personal communication.
  • Promoted sensory development by providing access to different natural materials.
  • Increased student engagement by adapting lessons to individual interests.

Elementary School Teacher

Montpelier Public Schools
09.2007 - 05.2011
  • Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
  • Using a project-based approach, students worked cooperatively to plan, design, and implement ideas using math, literacy, science, engineering, and social skills.
  • Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using a variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles for 1st and 2nd-grade students.
  • Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
  • Provided a warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
  • Utilized learning and practice of Responsive Classroom and Conscious Discipline to nurture a safe and supportive class community.
  • Model classroom for visiting educators and administration.
  • Established a classroom culture of respect and cooperation throughout a 2-year loop resulting in student achievement meeting or exceeding yearly goals.

Title One Teacher

Montpelier Public Schools
08.2006 - 05.2007
  • Created a positive and inclusive environment for students to receive additional support in math and literacy.
  • Supervised small reading and math groups of students, K-6.
  • Promoted love of reading and literacy to all students.
  • Assessed and reported on each student's reading and math progress in accordance with policies developed by school district.

Elementary Teacher, K-2, SEI

Mesa Public Schools
03.2001 - 05.2006
  • Provided richly integrated learning experiences for a culturally and linguistically diverse learning community (91% of students learning English as a second language).
  • Established a classroom culture of respect and cooperation throughout a 3-year loop resulting in student achievement meeting or exceeding yearly goals.
  • Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using a variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles and individual interests.
  • Fostered student curiosity and interest in learning through hands-on activities and field trips.
  • Pursued professional development during summer months and throughout the school year to maintain certification and extend skills.
  • Prepared and administered grade-specific assessments to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
  • Provided a warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
  • Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
  • Met with parents to review Individualized Education Plans for at-risk students.
  • Established open communication and positive relationships with students, parents, peers, and administrative staff.
  • Included multicultural awareness in class discussions.
  • Created and presented lessons to engage students and focus on core subjects necessary for personal and academic growth.
  • Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to the next grade level.
  • Reinforced cooperative behavior by encouraging efforts through brain-based positive discipline strategies.
  • Student Council Advisor for three years.

YMCA Afterschool and Summer Camp Coordinator

Chandler And Ahwatukee YMCA
08.1995 - 03.2001
  • Created and facilitated recreation and education activities for youths to engage in groups in a safe environment.
  • Developed individual and group programs to encourage prosocial behaviors.
  • Maintained a fun, learning-focused atmosphere by smoothly handling conflicts and developing a culture centered around collaboration and personal responsibility.
  • Supervised camper and team safety by issuing clear directives for ideal behaviors and required monitoring strategies.
  • Planned activities, events, and field trips to enrich student development.
  • Arranged activity schedule with numerous outdoor activities, crafts, and enrichment opportunities.
  • Coached and mentored camp counselors and instructors in effective strategies for relating to students and leading group activities.
  • Managed camp operations for 7-10 facilities serving over 500 campers each day.
  • Built and deepened positive relationships with parents and schools.
  • Scheduled staff based on personal strengths and coverage requirements.
  • Mediated staff, camper, and family disputes with kindness, patience, and professionalism.
  • Highlighted in an Arizona Republic article as Hero of the Week for my work in child advocacy.

Education

Master of Education - Early Education Leadership

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
05.2024

Bachelor of Arts - Education Studies

Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS
05.2001

Skills

  • Child Development
  • Play Based Learning
  • Outdoor Education
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Esl-English as Second Language
  • Title I Experience
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Educational Strategies
  • Social/Emotional Development
  • Group and Individual Instruction
  • Positive Reinforcement Strategies
  • Diverse Student Populations
  • Positive Learning Environment
  • Student-Centered Learning
  • Learning Modalities
  • Parent and Student Communication and Collaboration
  • Creative Lesson Plan Development
  • Multicultural Populations
  • Effectively and Cooperatively Work with Parents
  • Community Involvement
  • Social-Emotional Learning Training
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Effective Classroom and Behavior Management
  • High-Quality Instructional Practices
  • Team Teaching and Collaboration

Accomplishments

  • Tinkergarten Flagstaff - Best Place to Take Kids, Arizona Daily Sun, 2021 and 2020
  • Evergreen Leader, Tinkergarten 2020-present
  • Mom of two curious, compassionate and creative boys.


Certification

  • Vermont Standard Elementary Teacher Certificate, July 2006
  • Arizona Standard Elementary Teacher Certificate, July 2001
  • Highly Qualified Teacher Endorsement, March 2007
  • Early Childhood Education Endorsement, Birth through age 8, June 2003
  • English as a Second Language Endorsement, Grades PreK - 12, June 2003
  • Elementary Education Endorsement, Grades K-6, June 2003

References

*Glowing letters of recommendation are gladly available upon request.

Meghan Fitzgerald, Co-Founder, and Chief Play Officer, Tinkergarten, Inc.

email: meghan@tinkergarten.com

phone: 212-920-0729

Casie Smith, Director of Leader Learning, Tinkergarten, Inc.

email: casie@tinkergarten.com

phone: 914-714-0144

Kate Macartney, Leader, Trainer, and Curriculum Development, Tinkergarten, Inc.

email: katemacartney@gmail.com

phone: 919-806-7502

Susan Wallace, Reading Specialist, Former Colleague, and Friend, Guerrero Elementary School

email: susiewallace@cox.net

phone: 602-291-4168

Liz Zea, parent and participant in several seasons of my Tinkergarten At Home classes

email: elizabethkayzea@gmail.com

phone: 206-883-4859

Timeline

Tinkergarten Leader, Trainer, and Mentor

Tinkergarten
07.2017 - Current

Play School Teacher

Self-employed
09.2014 - 06.2017

Elementary School Teacher

Montpelier Public Schools
09.2007 - 05.2011

Title One Teacher

Montpelier Public Schools
08.2006 - 05.2007

Elementary Teacher, K-2, SEI

Mesa Public Schools
03.2001 - 05.2006

YMCA Afterschool and Summer Camp Coordinator

Chandler And Ahwatukee YMCA
08.1995 - 03.2001

Master of Education - Early Education Leadership

Northern Arizona University

Bachelor of Arts - Education Studies

Ottawa University

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Christina MolinaroEarly Childhood Educator