Heather Smith
Clanton,AL
Summary
Dynamic early childhood educator with a strong background at the Chilton County Board of Education, adept at fostering social-emotional development and implementing differentiated instruction. Skilled in curriculum planning and parent-teacher communication, I successfully enhance student engagement through innovative, play-based learning strategies and ensuring a nurturing environment for diverse learners.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Office of School Readiness Pre-K Teacher
Chilton County Board Of Education
08.2015 - Current
- Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles and developmental needs.
- Implemented classroom management techniques promoting positive behavior and social skills.
- Collaborated with parents to support children's educational progress and address concerns.
- Assessed student performance regularly, adapting instruction methods for individual growth.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Promoted social-emotional development with interactive lessons on empathy, conflict resolution, and self-regulation techniques.
- Organized and led enrichment activities, fostering creativity and teamwork among students.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Boosted student engagement by incorporating hands-on activities and group projects into lesson plans.
- Fostered a love of learning among students by maintaining an energetic teaching style and incorporating creative, interactive elements into lessons.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional learning opportunities to remain current on best practices in early childhood education.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, enhancing family involvement in the educational process.
- Evaluated student progress through formative and summative assessments, utilizing data-driven methods to inform instructional decisions.
- Improved student literacy skills by incorporating daily read-alouds.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Developed and implemented behavior management systems to maintain a structured and productive learning environment.
- Enhanced classroom environment by creating visually appealing bulletin boards and displays, promoting a positive learning atmosphere.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies for diverse learners, ensuring individualized support and success for all students.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Assisted and supervised up to 18 children through entire school day.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Protected children in-class, at recess and off-site with observational skills and positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
- Helped new preschool children get familiar with classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Chilton County Board Of Education
08.2004 - 08.2015
- Supported students with disabilities in daily activities, fostering independence and confidence.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) effectively.
- Assisted in adapting instructional materials to meet diverse learning needs of students.
- Monitored student progress and behavior, providing feedback to educators for improvement strategies.
- Implemented behavioral interventions, promoting positive social interactions among students.
- Participated in professional development workshops to refine skills and stay updated on best practices.
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students invol
- Assisted in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance and assessments.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Monitored class of students in absence of instructor.
- Supported students with various disabilities through one-on-one tutoring sessions, improving their understanding of course materials and concepts.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Enhanced students learning experiences by implementing Individualized Educational Plans and adapting teaching methods for special needs students.
- Partnered with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers to ensure comprehensive support for each individual student's growth and progress.
- Responded proactively to emerging challenges by adapting instructional strategies as needed, ensuring continuous progress toward established goals for each student's academic success and personal growth.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support strategies for each student, contributing to improved academic performance.
- Facilitated social skills development through targeted group activities, promoting positive peer relationships and increased self-confidence among special education students.
- Encouraged students to participate in school activities and programs to promote well-roundedness and increase confidence.
- Provided necessary accommodations for testing situations, ensuring fair opportunities for all students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
- Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
- Utilized assistive technology tools strategically in order to facilitate increased independence among students with diverse learning needs.
- Promoted a culture of inclusion within the school community by modeling respectful interactions and encouraging open communication among all stakeholders involved in the education of special needs students.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
- Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
- Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
- Maintained classroom equipment and work area to promote safe learning environment and meet mandated requirements.
- Worked with students to promote learning and pro-social development.
- Adapted equipment and technology, boosting student engagement and motivation.
Education
Master of Science - Teaching English As A Second Language
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama08-2022
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Special Education
Auburn Univeristy Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama12-2014
Skills
- Early childhood education
- Patience and empathy
- Music and movement
- Curriculum planning
- Health and safety
- Parent-teacher communication
- Group and individual instruction
- Progress reporting
- Child supervision
- Child development
- Fine motor skills
- Motor skill development
- Tactile teaching methods
- Artistic expression
- Gross motor skills
- Science exploration
- Cultural sensitivity
- Special needs support
- Mathematical concepts
- Language development
- Social-emotional learning
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Activity planning
- Differentiated instruction
- Social skills development
- Adept at working with special needs children
- Positive reinforcement
- Special education
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Classroom organization
- Safety procedures
- Behavior management
- Parent communication
- Arts and crafts aptitude
- Child safety procedures
- Toileting and feeding
- Effective listening
- Social skill building
- Certified in early childhood education
- Calm and patient
- Observational skills
- Promoting social and emotional development
- Play-based learning
- Communicating with parents and teachers
- Student performance evaluations
- Progress monitoring
- Positive reinforcement methods
- Parent and guardian relations
- Early childhood development
- Fine motor skill development
- Strong work ethic and dependable
- Age-appropriate curriculum
- Data confidentiality
- Organizational and planning skills
- Relationship building
- Supervising classroom activities
- Documentation and reporting
- Classroom management techniques
- School policy and rules enforcement
Certification
- Early Childhood LETRS
- Teaching Strategies GOLD
- Phonics First
- Seizure First Aid Ready
- Child Abuse Mandated Reporter
- ASELD Teacher Series
- GOLD Preschool/Pre-K/Transitional Kindergarten Interrater Reliability
- Conscious Discipline
- CDAT Training
Timeline
Office of School Readiness Pre-K Teacher
Chilton County Board Of Education
08.2015 - Current
Special Education Paraprofessional
Chilton County Board Of Education
08.2004 - 08.2015
Master of Science - Teaching English As A Second Language
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Special Education
Auburn Univeristy Montgomery