Diana Velazquez
Portage
Summary
Knowledgeable coach skilled in developing and implementing effective training programs. Proven ability to inspire and motivate teachers and staff to achieve their personal and professional goals. Demonstrated expertise in leadership, organization and communication.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Mental Health and Wellness Coach
Shine Early Learning
12.2022 - Current
- Provides statewide technical assistance to early childhood providers across diverse settings, promoting evidence-based practices in nutrition services, environmental safety, and mental health.
- Utilizes Salesforce to manage and document case interventions such as individualized coaching or facilitated training sessions.
- Leads interactive workshops using adult learning strategies that encourage participation, critical discussion, and reflective practice.
- Collects and analyzes participant feedback to assess training effectiveness and enhance future session design.
- Collaborates with providers to co-create wellness plans addressing health, mental health, nutrition, and environmental safety systems to support high-quality child development.
- Adapted coaching approaches for diverse populations, ensuring a culturally sensitive and inclusive practice.
- Organized and led collaboratives using Go NAPSACC practices to promote topics such as child nutrition, reducing screen time and many others so that providers can implement best practice in early childhood.
Quality Coach
Geminus Corporation
02.2022 - 11.2022
- Provided individualized program-level support to in-home child care providers referred by licensing or seeking to enhance the quality of their home-based programs.
- Delivered one one-on-one coaching through onsite and virtual visits, tailored to the unique environments and daily operations of in-home child care settings.
- Supported providers in navigating challenges specific to mixed age groups, limited space, and flexible scheduling inherent to in-home care.
- Applied strong customer service skills to build trust and offer guidance that met the specific regulatory and programmatic needs of family child care homes.
Spanish Dual Language Teacher
Valparaiso Community Schools
11.2019 - 02.2022
- Designed and implemented differentiated lesson plans that supported the academic needs of English and Spanish-speaking students in a dual language immersion setting.
- Employed cooperative and project-based learning to foster bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural understanding.
- Partnered with colleagues to develop culturally responsive curriculum and language-integrated instructional strategies.
- Conducted ongoing assessments to monitor language development and academic progress, providing individualized feedback and support.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management strategies.
- Collaborated with colleagues to align curriculum and share best practices for dual language instruction.
- Increased students'' language proficiency by implementing innovative teaching methods and engaging activities.
- Evaluated student progress regularly, adjusting lesson plans and instructional approaches as needed for optimal outcomes.
Education Program Monitor
Geminus Head Start
06.2018 - 11.2019
- Analyze data to make determinations for professional development and any other necessary program improvements to ensure quality education for children.
- Implement ideas for training staff on content based items.
- Collect CLASS data for program-wide Head Start program including child care partnership program.
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful federal reviews.
- Coordinated site visits for quality assurance assessments, providing constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
- Developed training materials to enhance staff understanding of operational guidelines and best practices.
- Prepared detailed reports on program performance metrics for leadership review and strategic planning discussions.
Early Childhood Master Coach
Geminus Head Start
02.2017 - 06.2018
- Provide instructional coaching to teachers with an emphasis in CLASS, conduct CLASS observations, and train staff on curriculum, literacy rich programs and math content based curriculum.
- Help instructional staff with curriculum fidelity, inspect classroom environment and assist with any additional resources needed.
- Ensure staff ratios and other pertinent compliance according to Head Start standards and NAEYC standards.
- Cultivated a supportive environment that encouraged open communication and collaborative problem-solving among team members.
- Developed individualized coaching plans for educators, focusing on professional growth and effective classroom strategies.
- Monitored program implementation to ensure adherence to Head Start regulations and best practices.
- Provided constructive feedback through observational assessments, fostering continuous improvement among staff.
- Coordinated workshops and professional development activities to promote innovative teaching methods.
- Established strong rapport with teachers, fostering trust and open communication in the coaching relationship.
PFCE Case Management Coordinator
Geminus Head Start
06.2016 - 02.2017
- Supervise staff, conduct interviews, establish partnerships with community organizations, and facilitate staff trainings and workshops.
- Administrative duties of reconstructing manuals and handbooks.
- Conduct supervisions with staff and track dashboards with heavy data entry.
- Monitored staff progress regularly, adjusting strategies to meet evolving needs and challenges.
- Provided training and support to new staff on case management processes and best practices.
- Utilized data management systems to track cases, ensuring accuracy and timely updates on family engagement status.
Case Manager
Geminus Head Start
02.2015 - 06.2016
- Provide case management services, parent education and crisis intervention to all families.
- Conduct home visits, parent meetings, workshops and organize and plan events.
- Assess families and complete pertinent documents to identify potential delay, disabilities or mental health needs.
- Establish partnerships with community organizations.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions and case management activities in compliance with regulations.
- Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
- Provided crisis intervention support for families experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely.
ESL Instructional Assistant
Portage Township Schools
08.2009 - 01.2015
- Responsible in preparing weekly lesson plans, grading, tutoring, parent and teacher communication, attending IEP meetings and being creative to keep students engaged in activities.
- Assist students with translation and academic needs in all subject areas.
- Consult with teachers, staff and parents regarding any academic issues and assist with any needed translation.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate language proficiency and inform instructional approaches.
- Established a welcoming atmosphere that fostered cultural sensitivity and respect among all students and staff members.
- Facilitated parent-teacher conferences with multilingual families, utilizing interpreters when necessary to ensure clear communication.
Call Center Agent
Northwestern Physicians Group
03.1999 - 10.2001
- Answer phone call of approximately 200 calls a day.
- Schedule appointments, forward emergency calls to pertaining medical office, handle each customer with care with providing a confidential yet positive approach that enable customers to feel valued and serviced.
- Work in a fast pace that serviced 11 offices with multiple doctors and staff.
Front Receptionist & Medical Records Clerk
Chicago Family Health Center
10.1997 - 03.1999
- Responsible for patient check in, process records, balance check books and logged in payments at time of service.
- Answer telephone calls, schedule appointments and create patient accounts that include confidential information.
- Maintain a responsible work ethic and value each patient individually.
- Create initial patient charts, collect valuable information that would need doctor signatures and transfer to any pertinent parties that were authorized.
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Ball State University
07-2021
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development & Family Studies
Purdue University Calumet
Hammond, IN12-2014
Skills
- Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking the Spanish language
- CLASS certified in three areas; infant, toddler and pre-K
- Extensive knowledge in instruction and curriculum
- Compile and measure data using multiple data-driven software, extensive knowledge of computer programs, ability to drive improvements through change using data analysis, maintain Head Start federal policies, compliance and staff management
- EMCH-E® endorsed
- Completion of Health Coaching Program
- Trained and certified in ASQ-3 & ASQ-SE, Business Practices, Go NAPSACC Consultant, CDC Learn the Signs Act Early, Pyramid Model Practices, ITERS, ECERS, FCEERS
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Mental Health and Wellness Coach
Shine Early Learning
12.2022 - Current
Quality Coach
Geminus Corporation
02.2022 - 11.2022
Spanish Dual Language Teacher
Valparaiso Community Schools
11.2019 - 02.2022
Education Program Monitor
Geminus Head Start
06.2018 - 11.2019
Early Childhood Master Coach
Geminus Head Start
02.2017 - 06.2018
PFCE Case Management Coordinator
Geminus Head Start
06.2016 - 02.2017
Case Manager
Geminus Head Start
02.2015 - 06.2016
ESL Instructional Assistant
Portage Township Schools
08.2009 - 01.2015
Call Center Agent
Northwestern Physicians Group
03.1999 - 10.2001
Front Receptionist & Medical Records Clerk
Chicago Family Health Center
10.1997 - 03.1999
Master of Arts - Education
Ball State University
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development & Family Studies
Purdue University Calumet
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