Elise Mattson
Des Moines,IA
Summary
Passionate Montessori educator skilled in individualized lesson planning, record keeping, and communication skills. Proven ability to collaborate and create positive relationships with students, parents, teachers, and administration. Committed to fostering a nurturing and authentic Montessori learning environment and supporting children with diverse needs.
Overview
1
1
Certification
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Montessori Toddler Co-Teacher
Montessori Children's House
West Des Moines, Iowa
08.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with lead and co-teachers to create a positive learning environment for students.
- Used Montessori philosophy and curriculum to develop student's full potential and treated each child with dignity and respect.
- Assisted in creating engaging individual lesson plans for students and diverse student needs.
- Monitored student progress and documented observations for parent-teacher conferences.
- Maintained records of each child's attendance and academic progress through Transparent Classroom.
- Attended and led parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and to support diverse needs.
- Delivered Montessori lessons with aim of promoting concentration, independence, and supporting fine and gross motor development.
- Participated in professional development workshops to enhance teaching practices and knowledge.
- Prepared environment where materials corresponded to classroom needs and paid careful attention to maintaining a clean, orderly, and beautiful Montessori environment.
Temporary Toddler Aide
Cottontail Creek Montessori School
Ankeny, IA
02.2023 - 05.2023
- Prepared environment where materials corresponded to classroom needs and paid careful attention to maintaining clean, orderly and beautiful Montessori environment.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Supported the children's independence and treated every child with dignity and respect.
- Instructed and assisted children in eating, toileting and resting to support their independence, create healthy habits, and learn grace and courtesy skills.
- Removed hazards and developed appropriate boundaries and expectations to ensure a safe environment for children.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
Assistant Children's House Teacher
Global Montessori Academy
Prairie Village, KS
05.2022 - 10.2022
- Prepared environment where materials corresponded to class needs and paid careful attention to maintaining clean, orderly and beautiful Montessori environment.
- Used Montessori philosophy and curriculum to develop students' full potential and treated each child with dignity and respect.
- Established powerful and inspiring classroom culture where children had high self-expectations with strong self-motivation and self-direction.
- Maintained classroom supplies, inventory and stock.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Removed hazards and developed appropriate boundaries and expectations to ensure a safe environment for children.
- Engaged with children on an individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents and teaching staff.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
Lead Toddler Teacher
Guidepost Montessori
Leawood, KS
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Used Montessori philosophy and curriculum to develop students' full potential and treated each child with dignity and respect.
- Engaged with children on an individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Maintained classroom supplies, inventory and stock.
- Created engaging individual lesson plans to support diverse student needs.
- Fostered positive relationships with parents and communicated children's progress via regular conferences and newsletters.
- Coordinated frequent communication with parents regarding student progress.
- Mentored assistant and new teachers, sharing best practices for implementing Montessori methods.
- Maintained records of each child's academic progress through Transparent Classroom.
- Maintained daily records of individual activities, behaviors, meals and naps.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills.
Lead Infant Teacher
Agape Montessori School
Olathe, Kansas
05.2021 - 09.2021
- Maintained tidy, clean and safe environments for children.
- Changed diapers, used bibs and monitored behaviors to maintain good hygiene for each child.
- Followed safe feeding guidelines and parental requests for breastmilk, formula and solids.
- Helped infants develop communication skills through baby sign language.
- Organized and led activities to promote social, mental, and physical development.
- Collaborated with parents to develop and maintain strong support networks and build rapport to foster seamless communication.
- Supported sensorial learning by giving children access to diverse textures, shapes, and natural materials.
- Read aloud and played language games to encourage early literacy.
- Taught children foundational skills such as colors and shapes.
- Supervised circle time, free play, and outside play.
- Communicated with children's parents and guardians about daily activities, as well as their child's progress.
Children's House Assistant
Agape Montessori School
Olathe, Kansas
02.2021 - 05.2021
- Maintained tidy and clean classroom consistent with safety and health standards.
- Supported lead teacher with daily classroom activities.
- Monitored students to observe behavior, enforce boundaries and maintain safety.
- Maintained safe, clean and constantly supervised Montessori environment.
- Instructed and assisted students during craft activities.
- Supervised and assisted students outside classroom during recess, lunch, and nap time.
- Assisted with or led story time by reading books to children.
- Arranged classroom furniture and materials to keep areas neat.
- Maintained and cleaned nap mats by making minor repairs and wiping down.
Barista
Scooter's Coffee
Olathe, Kansas
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Operated cash register, collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Prepared and served hot and cold beverages such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees and teas.
- Greeted guests with pleasant smile and superior customer service.
- Maintained clean and organized workspace, enabling coworkers to locate resources and product.
- Memorized official and off-menu coffee and tea preparations.
- Maintained highest standards of conduct and service to support company reputation.
Waitress
Koreana
Decorah, Iowa
04.2019 - 03.2020
- Maintained accuracy while handling payments, giving change and printing receipts to customers.
- Stocked server areas with supplies before, during and after shifts.
- Handled food safely and kept spaces clean to protect customers from foodborne illness and maintain proper sanitation.
- Minimized customer wait times by taking and filling large volume of orders each day.
- Resolved customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
- Developed strong and lasting resident relationships.
- Answered guest questions regarding menu, food and beverage preparation, recipe ingredients and allergens.
- Operated POS terminals to input orders, split bills and calculate totals.
- Maintained knowledge of menu items, garnishes, ingredients and preparation methods to assist guests with menu selection.
- Provided exceptional customer service in a fast-paced dining environment.
Registrar Student Worker
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa
05.2019 - 12.2019
- Assisted with different events during fall and spring semesters.
- Contributed to development, planning and completion of project initiatives.
- Greeted office visitors, provided information and directed to appropriate personnel.
- Completed diverse organizational and administrative tasks to contribute to success of group projects.
- Assisted with clerical needs including, answering telephone calls, managing databases and drafting correspondence.
- Adhered to strict security protocols to protect data confidentiality.
- Answered continuous phone calls each day and took messages or transferred to appropriate party.
Barista
Magpie Coffeehouse
Decorah, IA
03.2018 - 11.2018
- Operated cash register, collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Prepared and served hot and cold beverages such as coffee, espresso drinks, blended coffees and teas.
- Greeted guests with a pleasant smile and superior customer service.
- Maintained calm demeanor during high-volume periods and special events.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, enabling coworkers to locate resources and product.
- Memorized official and off-menu coffee and tea preparations.
- Described menu items to customers and suggested products based on stated preferences.
- Created complex, handcrafted beverages based upon customer preferences.
Dishwasher/Prep Cook
T-bock's Sports Bar and Grill
Decorah, Iowa
06.2017 - 10.2017
- Scrubbed pots, pans and trays by hand or cleaned using industrial washing machine.
- Kept dishware, glasses and utensils ready for all customer needs by quickly scraping, washing and restacking items.
- Developed great team spirit with other personnel by pitching in and helping with task completion.
- Sanitized counters and wiped down surfaces following food preparation to prevent cross-contamination from raw meats.
- Restocked main kitchen areas with items from shelves, coolers and freezers.
- Cleared trash and washed work area tables, walls, refrigerator equipment, cooking equipment and floors to keep sanitized kitchen.
- Handled glassware, crystal and other fragile items with exceptional care to prevent breakage.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Education
Introductory Courses
Prepared Montessorian
09-2021
High School Diploma -
Decorah High School/Homeschool
Decorah, IA05-2019
Some College (No Degree) - Philosophy and Religious Studies
Luther College
Decorah, IASkills
- Enthusiasm for Montessori philosophy
- Collaborative teaching
- Dedicated to supporting children and families
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Relationship building
- Reliable
- Positive attitude
- Empathy and patience
Additional Information
Volunteer Experience or Leadership
- Aurora Choir, Luther College 2019-2020
- Luther College Symphony Orchestra 2019-2020
- Student Worker- Luther College Choral Area, 2019-2020
- Vacation Bible School music/team leader 2014-2019
- Oneota Valley Community Orchestra, 2017-2018
- Elementary and Middle School violin teacher, 2016-19
- Substitute pre-school Sunday school teacher 2016-19
- Decorah Youth Choirs, singer 2014-16
- Worship and song leader, Paradise Valley UMC, 2013
Certification
- Montessori and the Science of Reading Summit- Trillium Montessori 2024
- Montessori & Ecological Consciousness Summit- Trillium Montessori 2025
- CPR & First Aid 2025-2027
- IGDI- ECI 2021 (Individual Growth and Development Indicator- Early Communication Indicator)
Timeline
Montessori Toddler Co-Teacher
Montessori Children's House
08.2023 - Current
Temporary Toddler Aide
Cottontail Creek Montessori School
02.2023 - 05.2023
Assistant Children's House Teacher
Global Montessori Academy
05.2022 - 10.2022
Lead Toddler Teacher
Guidepost Montessori
09.2021 - 05.2022
Lead Infant Teacher
Agape Montessori School
05.2021 - 09.2021
Children's House Assistant
Agape Montessori School
02.2021 - 05.2021
Barista
Scooter's Coffee
08.2020 - 02.2021
Registrar Student Worker
Luther College
05.2019 - 12.2019
Waitress
Koreana
04.2019 - 03.2020
Barista
Magpie Coffeehouse
03.2018 - 11.2018
Dishwasher/Prep Cook
T-bock's Sports Bar and Grill
06.2017 - 10.2017
High School Diploma -
Decorah High School/Homeschool
Introductory Courses
Prepared Montessorian
Some College (No Degree) - Philosophy and Religious Studies
Luther College