Erica LaFountain
Teacher
San Mateo,VA
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Preschool Teacher
Trinity United Methodist Preschool
09.2025 - Current
- Designed engaging lesson plans to foster children's cognitive and emotional development.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to create a positive classroom environment.
- Collaborated with parents to support individual student needs and enhance learning experiences.
- Conducted assessments to monitor student progress and adapt educational approaches accordingly.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Promoted physical health through organized outdoor play and activities, supporting overall well-being.
Office Administrator
United States Coast Guard
08.2020 - 08.2021
- Maintained office services by organizing office operations and procedures, preparing payroll, controlling correspondence, designing filing systems, reviewing and approving supply requisitions, and assigning and monitoring clerical functions.
Kindergarten Teacher
Hampton Public Schools
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Developed engaging lesson plans promoting cognitive and social development among kindergarten students.
- Fostered a positive learning environment encouraging student participation and collaboration.
- Implemented individualized instruction strategies addressing diverse learning needs and styles.
- Monitored student progress, provided constructive feedback, and adjusted teaching methods accordingly.
- Organized educational activities integrating arts, literacy, and hands-on experiences for holistic development.
- Collaborated with parents to support student growth through regular communication and involvement strategies.
- Led initiatives in curriculum development focusing on early childhood education best practices for improved outcomes.
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share resources, brainstorm ideas, and problem-solve challenges faced in the classroom environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Recognized children's physical, emotional and social needs for personalized support.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Monitored and evaluated student progress through regular assessments and observations.
- Played games with students to increase understanding of subjects.
Fitness Craftsman
United States Air Force
01.2018 - 03.2019
- Served as a point of reference for fitness expertise within the fitness center Led and Assisted with two 5k's with 20 participants total improving fitness awareness Organized Locker Rental program ensuring 20 patrons received temporary lockers during a major renovation
Food Service Supervisor
United States Air Force
11.2016 - 01.2018
- Established and managed team schedules and shift assignments. Ensured guest and work areas clean, organized and sanitized per established standards. Maintained health and food safety standards at all stages, from storage through delivery.
Lodging Supervisor
United States Air Force
07.2016 - 11.2016
- Effectively Performed front desk operations handling guest reservations and check ins Outstanding Customer Service representative, maintained a 92% Customer Service Satisfaction Rating
Airman Leadership Instructor
United States Air Force
02.2015 - 07.2016
- Educated 1.4K college hours awarded 3.5K Community College of the Air Force Credits and aligned a schoolhouse relocation overseeing 5 volunteers successfully starting operations in a new location Scheduling Assistance during instructor training days with graduation planning and assistance
Fitness Specialist
United States Air Force
06.2012 - 02.2015
- Led Spin and Physical Activity classes in fitness center increasing fitness levels Government Purchase Card Holder in charge of buying expenditures for Fitness Operations
Food Service Accountant
United States Air Force
03.2011 - 06.2012
- Verified data integrity and accuracy Managed Mess Attendant contract net worth $2M Government Purchase card holder
Food Service Journeyman
United States Air Force
09.2008 - 03.2011
- Maintained food safety standards at all times.
- Cooked batches of food according to standard recipes.
- Prepared recipe ingredients by washing, peeling, cutting and measuring.
Student
United States Air Force
07.2008 - 11.2008
- Trained on Food Service, Fitness, and Lodging Operations.
Education
Associate of Science - Instructor of Military Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Montgomery, AL01.2016
Bachelor of Science - Applied Management
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ01.2014
Associate of Science - Hotel, Lodging, Restaurant Management
Community College of the Air Force
Montgomery, AL01.2014
Skills
- Classroom management
- Classroom organization
- Child development
- Positive reinforcement
- Parent-teacher communication
- Lesson planning
- Early childhood education
- Group and individual instruction
- Activity planning
- Curriculum planning
- Training in food handling preparation
- Social skills development
- Age-appropriate assessment
- Adept at working with special needs children
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Child development expertise
- Schedule creation and maintenance
- Student records management
- Tutoring expertise
- Special education
- Elementary education
- Behavior management
- Parent communication
- Development observation
- Effective listening
- Excellent classroom management
- Observational skills
- Arts and crafts aptitude
- Calm and patient
- Empathy and compassion
- Social skill building
- Toileting and feeding
- Creative thinking
- Collaborative and Team-oriented
- Communicating with parents and teachers
- Motivating and inspiring students
- Play-based learning
- Promoting social and emotional development
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Relationship building
- Positive reinforcement methods
- Student engagement and development
- Age-appropriate curriculum
- Caring and empathetic demeanor
- Classroom management techniques
- Daily schedule creation
- Numbers and alphabet lessons
- Clear and direct communication
- Curriculum implementation
- Emotional support and development
- Interactive teaching
- Learning strategies
- Student behavior and progress reporting
- Experience with diverse student populations
- Conflict resolution
- Parent-teacher conferences
- Safety monitoring and management
- Data entry
- Decision-making
- Documentation and reporting
- Basic skills teaching
- Coordinating with teachers and specialists
Timeline
Preschool Teacher
Trinity United Methodist Preschool
09.2025 - Current
Office Administrator
United States Coast Guard
08.2020 - 08.2021
Kindergarten Teacher
Hampton Public Schools
09.2019 - 03.2020
Fitness Craftsman
United States Air Force
01.2018 - 03.2019
Food Service Supervisor
United States Air Force
11.2016 - 01.2018
Lodging Supervisor
United States Air Force
07.2016 - 11.2016
Airman Leadership Instructor
United States Air Force
02.2015 - 07.2016
Fitness Specialist
United States Air Force
06.2012 - 02.2015
Food Service Accountant
United States Air Force
03.2011 - 06.2012
Food Service Journeyman
United States Air Force
09.2008 - 03.2011
Student
United States Air Force
07.2008 - 11.2008
Associate of Science - Instructor of Military Technology
Community College of the Air Force
Bachelor of Science - Applied Management
Grand Canyon University
Associate of Science - Hotel, Lodging, Restaurant Management
Community College of the Air Force