Ciara Jackson
Round Lake Beach,IL
Summary
Dedicated Kindergarten teacher and Early Childhood educator with five years of experience supporting diverse learners in special education and early elementary classrooms. Skilled in delivering developmentally appropriate, play-based instruction that strengthens early literacy, foundational math, and social-emotional development. Experienced in differentiated instruction, classroom management, and using student data to support academic growth. Also experienced in mentoring students in grades 3–5 to build emotional regulation, leadership, and positive decision-making skills.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kindergarten Teacher
Raymond Ellis Elementary School, District 116
Round Lake, IL
08.2025 - Current
- Delivered engaging lessons aligned with district curriculum while using assessment data to guide instruction and monitor student growth.
- Implemented play-based learning centers and hands-on activities that strengthened early literacy and numeracy skills.
- Provided explicit phonics instruction and small-group support to build strong early reading foundations.
- Fostered a nurturing classroom environment that promoted social-emotional development and positive peer relationships.
- Built strong partnerships with families through regular communication and conferences.
Special Education Teacher Assistant
Raymond Ellis Elementary School, District 116
Round Lake, IL
08.2022 - 05.2025
- Monitored student actions and applied established interventions to redirect behavior and resolve conflicts.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' IEP.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
Special Education Teacher Assistant
Beach Elementary School, District 116
Round Lake Beach, IL
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Assisted with crisis problems and behavior management;
- Assisted with group educational activities that include students on IEPs;
- Supervised children in the hallway, lunchroom, playground, and on field trips;
- Supported instruction for individual students (one-on-one or small group), including those on an IEP under the direction of the supervising teacher
- Worked with audio-visual equipment, computers and/or assistive technology
Preschool Teacher
Growing Tree Preschool
Gurnee, IL
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Taught an average of 24 children per school year consisting of two classes.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers, colors, letters, days of the week and weather (circle time).
- Fostered reasoning and problem solving through active exploration games and activities.
- Applied play-based strategies, including crafts and games, to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ11-2024
Skills
- Classroom Management & Positive Behavior Support
- Early Literacy & Phonics Instruction
- Differentiated & Small-Group Instruction
- Lesson Planning & Curriculum Implementation
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Family Communication & Parent Engagement
- Student Engagement & Hands-On Learning
Certification
- Paraprofessional License - 8/2020 - 6/2026
- Substitute Teacher License - 4/2025 - 6/2030
- Professional Educator License, ECE Endorsement - 5/2025 - 6/2030
Timeline
Kindergarten Teacher
Raymond Ellis Elementary School, District 116
08.2025 - Current
Special Education Teacher Assistant
Raymond Ellis Elementary School, District 116
08.2022 - 05.2025
Special Education Teacher Assistant
Beach Elementary School, District 116
08.2021 - 05.2022
Preschool Teacher
Growing Tree Preschool
08.2019 - 06.2020
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Phoenix
Clinical Experience
First Grade Student Teacher
Ellis Elementary School, Round Lake, IL
August 2024 - November 2024
- Worked with classroom teacher to learn about current standards and best practices.
- Cultivated positive relationships with administration, teaching staff, and students.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
- Created and implemented different learning activities to meet needs of different types of learners.
- Facilitated small group activities and one-on-one instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Monitored student progress to provide feedback on assignments and guidance on areas requiring improvement.
- Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
- Adapted lessons to differentiate instruction and meet students' diverse learning needs and abilities.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.