Darlene Vander Beek
Laveen,AZ.
Summary
Accomplished Educator and Trainer with 27 yrs. of experience in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and K-12 School Systems. Consistently advocating for positive learning environments for all children, educators, and families with a forward-thinking mentality. Effectively worked in a diversified and inclusive environment as a leader and collaborator. Able to independently manage diverse objectives and successfully create positive program outcomes.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Substitute Teacher
Berrien RESA-Edustaff
09.2023 - 09.2024
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Developed strong rapport with students through consistent encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic growth.
- Provided support to special education students in inclusive classrooms, developing accommodations and modifications to meet their unique needs.
Director of Early Childhood Educational Center
KinderCare
09.2021 - 02.2022
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
Child & Youth Training & Curriculum Specialist
United States Navy
08.2018 - 08.2020
- Provided a comprehensive training program to over 250 CYP employees including: direct and food service staff, management, and administration.
- Assisted with implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum for over five hundred children ranging from 6 weeks to 18 years of age in the largest military Child and Youth Program facility.
- Conducted new employee orientation, provided Department of the Navy standardized training; established training schedules; encouraged further educational courses and opportunities.
- Facilitated communication between educators, administration, and parents to ensure consistent messaging regarding curriculum goals and expectations.
- Evaluated existing curricula and made recommendations for revisions, resulting in improved learning outcomes.
- Managed the development and implementation of content-specific benchmarks, ensuring consistency and clarity in instructional goals.
- Mentored new teachers in best practices for effective lesson planning, assessment strategies, and classroom management techniques.
- Championed diversity initiatives within school communities by designing inclusive curricula reflecting various perspectives and backgrounds.
- Participated in state-wide conferences to stay current on industry trends and emerging research in education methodologies.
Contracted Professional Educator
Advanced Home care Placement/JAX Nanny
08.2013 - 11.2016
- Promoted intellectual development through reading, storytelling, and engaging educational activities.
- Collaborated closely with parents in establishing boundaries/rules within the household which helped maintain consistency across all environments.
- Supported children in play activities, meals, and snacks, hygiene and socialization.
- Supported character-building qualities such as responsibility, respect, empathy, and self-discipline through consistent modeling of behavior expectations.
- Developed and implemented behavior management strategies to minimize indiscipline and guide children in attaining positive behavior.
Accredited Childcare Provider
United States Navy
08.2008 - 07.2013
- Ensured child safety through vigilant supervision, maintaining proper ratios during indoor and outdoor activities.
- Supported emotional well-being by addressing individual needs and providing a nurturing environment for growth.
- Fostered creativity with various arts and crafts projects, stimulating imagination and selfexpression.
- Promoted physical fitness by incorporating active play into daily schedules, encouraging healthy habits from an early age.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding their child''s achievements or concerns while offering guidance on home-based support strategies.
- Implemented daily routines to establish consistency, helping children transition smoothly between activities.
Pre-K Special Education Technician
Kumeyaay Elementary School
08.2006 - 08.2008
- Remained current on evidence-based practices in special education through participation in professional development opportunities.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing positive reinforcement strategies and clear expectations.
- Conducted functional assessments to determine appropriate interventions for challenging behaviors.
- Assisted in the development of IEP goals and objectives, ensuring alignment with state standards and individual student needs.
- Coordinated closely with related service providers such as speech therapists and occupational therapists, integrating their recommendations into daily lessons.
- Enhanced student learning by implementing individualized education plans tailored to each student''s needs.
Preschool Teacher & Teacher for Disabilities
Neighborhood House Association
09.2004 - 08.2006
- Developed strong relationships with parents and caregivers, providing regular updates on their child''s progress and addressing any concerns proactively.
- Evaluated student performance regularly through observation, assessment tools, and parent-teacher conferences to ensure academic growth was being achieved consistently across all areas of development.
- Ensured a safe and nurturing environment for all students, adhering to health and safety guidelines in the classroom.
- Maintained accurate records of each child''s progress throughout the year using various documentation methods such as portfolios or tracking sheets.
- Assisted in the assessment of each student''s abilities, tailoring instruction to meet individual needs and learning styles.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Ashford University/University of Arizona Global Campus
01.2019
Early Childhood Education
Cuyamaca Community College
01.2009
Associate of Arts - Education
West Shore Community College
01.2003
Skills
- Child development expertise
- Professionalism and ethics
- Stress reduction techniques
- Creative arts therapy
- Family-centered care
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Documentation and record keeping
- Age-appropriate education
- Play-based learning
- Special needs support
- Developmental assessments
Timeline
Substitute Teacher
Berrien RESA-Edustaff
09.2023 - 09.2024
Director of Early Childhood Educational Center
KinderCare
09.2021 - 02.2022
Child & Youth Training & Curriculum Specialist
United States Navy
08.2018 - 08.2020
Contracted Professional Educator
Advanced Home care Placement/JAX Nanny
08.2013 - 11.2016
Accredited Childcare Provider
United States Navy
08.2008 - 07.2013
Pre-K Special Education Technician
Kumeyaay Elementary School
08.2006 - 08.2008
Preschool Teacher & Teacher for Disabilities
Neighborhood House Association
09.2004 - 08.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Ashford University/University of Arizona Global Campus
Early Childhood Education
Cuyamaca Community College
Associate of Arts - Education
West Shore Community College
Certificates and Rewards
- Inclusion Training Certificate, Navy Inclusion OMP Training, Kids Included Together, 02/2020
- Building Leadership Award, Supervisor Development Program, USN/Naval District Washington, 12/2019
- American Red Cross Instructor, FA/CPR/AED Instructor Course, American Red Cross, 04/2019 (Expired 04/2021)
- Cum Laude Honors Award, Ashford University, 01/2019
- NAFCC Accreditation Certificates, United States Navy CDH Program, NAFCC Accreditation Program, 04/2001 & 08/2009
Hobbies and Interests
- NAEYC
- Michigan AEYC
- California AEYC
- Maryland AEYC
- NAFCC
- American Psychological Association
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