Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Heather Basham

Cottonwood,Arizona

Summary

Dynamic Lead Teacher with a proven track record at Hilltop Christian Preschool, and at Verde Valley Montessori, excelling in differentiated instruction and classroom management. Leveraged educational leadership to foster student development, achieving significant growth in independent problem-solving and social-emotional skills. Expert in child development and lesson planning, ensuring tailored educational experiences for diverse learning needs. Passionate Teacher with experience developing and implementing diverse curriculums covering wide range of subjects. Highly skilled at motivating students through positive encouragement and reinforcement of concepts through a hands on approach via classroom instruction and observation. Successful in helping students develop strong literacy, numeracy, social and learning skills. Accomplished teaching professional with solid leadership approach and passion for student learning. Implements successful and diverse lessons to enhance instruction and engage student interest. Organized problem-solver skilled at approaching educational issues and devising forward-thinking resolutions to promote student advancement. Competent Special Education Paraprofessional offering wealth of experience in small group instruction with children of diverse ages. Passionate about education with desire to work with students across levels. Understands importance of teaching solid study habits for testing success.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Special Education Assistant

Sedona Charter School
08.2024 - Current

Built trust and rapport with students through positive reinforcement and strong communication skills.

  • Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
  • Provided ongoing progress monitoring and data collection to evaluate student performance and inform instructional adjustments.
  • Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment by creating visual supports, sensory accommodations, and structured routines.
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and district regulations related to special education services.
  • Assisted students in achieving academic goals by providing one-on-one support and small group instruction.
  • Enhanced student learning by adapting instructional strategies to individual needs.

Lead Teacher, Four-Year-Old Classroom

Hilltop Christian Preschool
07.2023 - 06.2024
  • Encouraged independent problem-solving skills through inquiry-based learning opportunities.
  • Established clear expectations for behavior, leading to increased focus during instructional time.
  • Utilized differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse student needs and learning styles.
  • Developed social-emotional skills in students by modeling empathy, self-regulation, and communication techniques in the classroom setting.
  • Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
  • Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
  • Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.

Lead Early Childhood 3-6 Montessori Teacher

Verde Valley Montessori
07.2011 - 05.2015
  • Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
  • Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
  • Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
  • Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.
  • Conferred with parents about student progress to boost family involvement and enhance student support.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
  • Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
  • Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
  • Prepared classroom and materials according to montessori pedagogy and needs of children.
  • Monitored and tracked children's progress on daily, weekly and monthly basis.
  • Developed and implemented individualized learning plans, group lesson plans and classroom activities consistent with instructional guidelines.
  • Provided nurturing and stimulating educational environment for 45 students.

Education

Associate of Arts - Art

Yavapai College
Cottonwood AZ

CDA Childcare Development Associate - Early Childhood Education

Childcare Education Institute
05.2024

3-6 Year Early Childhood Montessori Certificate -

The Center For Guided Montessori Studies
Tampa, FL
05.2014

3-6 Early Childhood

North America Montessori Certification
Canada
01.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art

University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
05.2002

Associate of Arts - Art And Gen Ed

Pima Community College
Tucson AZ
05.2000

Skills

  • Childcare needs
  • Lesson Planning
  • Activity Planning
  • Classroom Management
  • Child Development
  • Behavior Modeling
  • Educational leadership
  • Training and mentoring
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Project-based learning
  • Group and individual instruction
  • IEP support
  • Curricula development
  • Patience and Empathy
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Adaptive Curriculum

Timeline

Special Education Assistant

Sedona Charter School
08.2024 - Current

Lead Teacher, Four-Year-Old Classroom

Hilltop Christian Preschool
07.2023 - 06.2024

Lead Early Childhood 3-6 Montessori Teacher

Verde Valley Montessori
07.2011 - 05.2015

Associate of Arts - Art

Yavapai College

CDA Childcare Development Associate - Early Childhood Education

Childcare Education Institute

3-6 Year Early Childhood Montessori Certificate -

The Center For Guided Montessori Studies

3-6 Early Childhood

North America Montessori Certification

Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art

University of Arizona

Associate of Arts - Art And Gen Ed

Pima Community College
Heather Basham