Diana Schalk
Cincinnati,OH
Summary
Accomplished early childhood educator with a proven track record at Empower Learn Create enhancing literacy and fostering social-emotional growth in toddlers. Leveraged creative teaching and strong classroom organization skills to develop innovative curricula and support diverse learners. Achieved significant parental engagement through effective communication and empathy. To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Proactive and caring worker with 29 years of experience combined with communication strengths and good observational skills. Skillfully handles day-to-day activities while looking for opportunities to make a difference. Dedicated to supporting emotional, social and academic development of young children. Trained in developmental stages and knowledgeable about offering safe, nurturing environments to boost learning. Desire to complement education-based strategies with techniques to promote overall health and wellness.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher
Empower Learn Create
03.2025 - Current
- Developed engaging lesson plans to promote early childhood learning and development.
- Implemented classroom management techniques to foster a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss student progress and address concerns effectively.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on curriculum implementation and classroom strategies.
- Assessed student performance through observations and evaluations, adjusting approaches as needed.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Lead Teacher, Toddler Room
Tutor Time Child Care Learning Center
07.2020 - 01.2025
- Developed strong relationships with families, fostering trust and creating a welcoming atmosphere within the classroom.
- Adapted lessons to accommodate individual needs, supporting diverse learners in reaching their full potential.
- Assisted in maintaining a clean, organized, and inviting classroom environment that encouraged exploration and learning.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop a cohesive and consistent curriculum for the Toddler Room.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, ensuring a safe, nurturing environment for all children.
- Led enriching outdoor activities that promoted physical fitness, coordination, and exploration of the natural world.
- Supported language acquisition efforts by introducing new vocabulary words during daily conversations.
- Conducted regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss each child''s progress and address concerns or suggestions.
- Implemented early literacy strategies through engaging storytimes and interactive reading sessions.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in early childhood education.
- Partnered with parents in addressing challenging behaviors, developing effective strategies for improvement.
- Taught hand washing and proper use of utensils to promote good hygiene and etiquette habits.
- Maintained tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Assisted in preparation of meals and snacks to provide children with proper nutrition.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Ihave also worked with infants within these fours years as well.
Lead Toddler Teacher
Learning Garden Academy
09.2016 - 06.2020
- Created a nurturing classroom environment that supported the social-emotional growth of young learners.
- Promoted early literacy skills through engaging storytime sessions, interactive word games, and letter recognition activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance, behavior incidents, and academic progress, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with school policies.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, resulting in increased involvement in their children''s education.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Integrated sensory-based activities to encourage fine motor skill development and hands-on learning experiences.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by collaborating effectively with colleagues and administration on various initiatives and projects.
- Provided individualized support for children with special needs or developmental delays, working closely with specialists to implement appropriate interventions.
- Gathered materials and resources to prepare for lessons and activities.
- Taught hand washing and proper use of utensils to promote good hygiene and etiquette habits.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
Teacher
Pleasant Run Church of Christ Daycare
05.2005 - 08.2015
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- I worked with a variety of children In different age groups from 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
- Designed curriculum materials for special education students, facilitating inclusive learning.
- Increased parental involvement in students' education by organizing regular communication and events.
Education
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH12.2011
Skills
- Creative Teaching
- Classroom Organization
- Gross Motor Skills Development
- Documentation and Record Keeping
- Positive Reinforcement
- Fine motor skills development
- Parent Communication
- Outdoor Play Supervision
- Age-Appropriate Activities
- Early Childhood Education
- Nutrition knowledge
- Special Needs Support
- Literacy development
- Potty Training Assistance
- Art and music appreciation
- Diaper Changing Expertise
- Strong Work Ethic
- Customer Service
- Friendly and likeable
- Loves children
- Time Management
- Caring and Understanding
- Child Care
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Classroom Management
- Active listener
- Decision-Making
- Child Safety
- CPR and First Aid
- Health and safety
- Approachable
- Housekeeping
- Efficient under pressure
- Emotionally supportive
- Social Skills Development
- Arts, crafts, and games
- Parental Communication
- Meal Preparation
- Lesson Planning
- Positive Role Model
- Infant Care
- First Aid Training
- Curriculum Implementation
- Activity Planning
- Safety Monitoring
- Child development expertise
- Child Development
- Social Development Activities
- Behavior Modeling
- Curriculum Planning
- Language skills
- Behavior management techniques
- Emergency Procedures
- Gentle Discipline
- Interactive lesson plans
- Special-needs childcare
- Nutrition
- Child Nutrition
- Storytelling and crafts
- Training in food handling preparation
- Cognitive Development
- Infant, toddler, and preschool curricula
- Child psychology knowledge
- Problem-Solving
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Strong Work Ethic and Dependable
- Attention to Detail
- Student engagement
- Parent-teacher communication
- Classroom instruction
- Conflict resolution
- Collaborative learning
- Child development
- Innovative lesson planning
- Curriculum development
- Social-emotional learning training
- Special needs students
- Student motivation
- Educational activities
- Parent-teacher conference coordination
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- Kinesthetic learning
- Parental participation
- Creative lesson planning
Timeline
Teacher
Empower Learn Create
03.2025 - Current
Lead Teacher, Toddler Room
Tutor Time Child Care Learning Center
07.2020 - 01.2025
Lead Toddler Teacher
Learning Garden Academy
09.2016 - 06.2020
Teacher
Pleasant Run Church of Christ Daycare
05.2005 - 08.2015
Associate of Science - Early Childhood Education
University of Cincinnati