Darlene Grabowski
Head Start Classroom Teacher
Newport,VT
Summary
- I am passionate about Head Start. I am fortunate to be a former parent of three Head Start Alumni. When my family was young and we were re-establishing our roots in Vermont after eleven years of military service, we had many financial challenges. During those years, our daughter Hillary was able to attend Head Start in Hardwick. Lesa Cathcart was her teacher. Although we were no longer financially challenged by the time Ben and Issy were born in 2011, they were eligible because they were preemies and in Kinship Care. Richard, their older brother, also was in Head Start while living with his mother. I believe each of them learned to love school because of their experience at Head Start.
- My work in Newport as a TA, has strengthen my passion for this program. The progress, I see our children make and I get to play a small part of, is incredible.
- I do not have a BA, but I have passion and a lifetime of knowledge that I bring to the classroom. My years of experience as a para-educator, teaching assistant at Head Start, a site coordinator and activity leader at the 21st Afterschool REACH! program, a mother of six children for 37 years, a Girl Scout leader, a daycare provider and home school teacher at the Father's Design School give me the confidence to apply for this teaching position.
- I am a capable classroom manager. I am also constantly learning new strategies that enhance my ability to make our student's day at Head Start a happy experience.
- I work well with the existing administration, the three teachers and the support staff.
- I know all of our returning students.
- I have a good relationship with our families.
- I am more than willing to further my education.
- I have always taken every opportunity to further my training.
- I have consistently taken on more responsibilities at Head Start.
- I am committed to bringing new and exciting opportunities into our classrooms. I purposefully listen to our students and strive to use their interests to drive the next activity I present. Their curiosity drives me to look for ways to make their time with us more engaging.
- I am intentional about building a strong relationship with each child in our program.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Start Teacher's Assistant
Northeast Kingdom Community Action
Newport, Vermont
10.2017 - Current
- Interacted with children one-on-one and in small and large groups to enhance and support learning activities.
- Maintained classrooms by disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces and toys.
- Assisted teacher by developing lesson plans to meet educational goals for each child.
- Supported children's social and emotional development by encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Communicated with parents to inform about child's progress and classroom behavior.
- Prepared for lessons by gathering educational materials and setting up equipment.
- Used behavior modeling and specialized teaching techniques to share and reinforce social skills.
- Engaged and entertained children through recreational and educational activities, including literacy, social emotional, STEM, and artistic activities.
- Collaborated with six teachers to promote appropriate care and education for 20-40 children.
- Monitored students on field trips, handling roll call and group movement to keep youths safe in public settings.
- Researched and created schedules, charts, and activity forms to encourage student interest in repetitive activities.
- Participated in graduation and provided child care for evening parent meetings.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Maintain personal flexibility and creativity, while allowing children's interest to determine the direction of an activity.
Paraprofessional
Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union - Hazen Union
Hardwick, VT
08.1998 - 11.2011
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher.
- Re-instructed small groups of middle-school students in concepts taught in academic and enrichment classrooms.
- Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance and assessments.
- Administered tests.
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs while carrying out IEP goals.
- Communicated with students, teachers, staff and administrators to main effective relationships for student and program growth.
- Increased proficiencies by attending professional developmental workshops on learning goals, classroom management, student motivation and engaging learning activities.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
- Participated in educational staff team meeting, parent conferences and IEP meetings.
After School REACH! Site Coordinator
OSSU 21st Century Grant
Hardwick, Vermont
08.2005 - 06.2010
- Directed day-to-day operations of enrichment programs and supervised support staff.
- Delegated assignments and evaluate performance.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills during the summer school program.
- Conferred and resolved behavioral and education-related issues and problems with students, parents and school officials.
- Monitored programs to make sure they met grant goals and requirements.
- Developed partnerships with parents, businesses and organizations to build awareness, increase support and share resources.
- Scheduled enrichment activities, faculty lectures, field trips and busing schedules.
- Maintained program files, records, and data base used by the 21st grant to support outcomes.
- Managed summer and school year budgets.
- Worked flexible hours; sometimes parent activities would be late evening hours.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Performed duties in accordance with all applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Created a student-led afterschool advisory team.
- Collaborated with Hardwick Elementary School's after school program to create a reading buddies program.
- Collaborated with administration and faculty to create an innovative summer school enrichment program for middle school students. We also created a model "Homework Cafe" that other schools used to enhance academic support.
- Hired and supervised afterschool staff including Hazen faculty members, Hazen students and community members.
- Created parental involvement opportunities such as awards ceremonies, fund-raising dinners and performances.
- Regularly communicated and built supportive relationships with parents.
Homeschool Cooperative Teacher
Father's Design School
East Hardwick, Vermont
08.2005 - 05.2009
- Supervised daily class functions.
- Implemented approved lesson plans and daily classroom schedule.
- Maintained attractive, well-kept classroom that encouraged children to create, explore and make decisions with confidence.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social and emotional growth.
- Collaborated with parents, administrators and counselors to develop improvement plans for struggling students.
- Maintained positive and professional classroom environment throughout school year.
- Planned lessons, activities and trips to cover all required course material.
- Developed positive rapport with students of various and diverse backgrounds.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses and learning patterns.
- Graded and evaluated student assignments, papers and course work.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
- Incorporated exciting and engaging activities to achieve student participation and hands-on learning.
- Used tests, quizzes and other assignments to gauge students' learning and determine understanding of course materials.
- Reviewed curriculum and devised alternate approaches to presenting lessons to increase student understanding.
- Established clear objectives for lessons, units, projects and communicated objectives to students.
- Documented attendance, assignments, grades and participation for six students.
- Assessed student comprehension through regular quizzes, tests and assignments.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest in learning through hands-on activities and field trips.
- Instructed groups of up to six students and provided individual support as needed.
After School REACH! Activity Leader
OSSU 21st Grant - Hazen
Hardwick, Vermont
10.2004 - 06.2005
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Supervised small groups of middle and high school students.
- Instructed cooking and craft classes.
- Supervised Homework Cafe (a homework support activity for middle and high school students.
- Worked closely with teaching staff to monitor student homework completion.
- Assured all students had rides home.
- Created a fun, playful space for teens to be creative and explore new opportunities.
- Help build up student's self esteem and willingness to take risks.
Education
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Community College of Vermont
Morrisville, VT 06.2005 - 06.2005
Skills
Planning and Coordination
undefinedTimeline
Head Start Teacher's Assistant
Northeast Kingdom Community Action
10.2017 - Current
After School REACH! Site Coordinator
OSSU 21st Century Grant
08.2005 - 06.2010
Homeschool Cooperative Teacher
Father's Design School
08.2005 - 05.2009
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Community College of Vermont
06.2005 - 06.2005
After School REACH! Activity Leader
OSSU 21st Grant - Hazen
10.2004 - 06.2005
Paraprofessional
Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union - Hazen Union
08.1998 - 11.2011
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