Heidi Cruse
Urbandale,IA
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Stay at Home Parent
Self Employed
Urbandale, IA
12.2020 - Current
- Managed daily schedules and activities to promote effective time management and organization.
- Developed educational materials and resources to support children's learning and development.
Tutor
Educational Resource Associates
West Des Moines, IA
05.2022 - 08.2023
- Developed personalized tutoring plans to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Assessed student progress, providing constructive feedback and support for improvement.
- Collaborated with parents and educators to align academic goals and strategies.
- Analyzed student performance data to identify areas for targeted intervention.
- Provided homework assistance using specific curriculum and materials.
- Supported students with helpful study habits and exam strategies.
- Provided one-on-one tutoring sessions, tailoring instruction to meet the specific needs of each student while promoting independent learning skills.
DIRECTOR
Westminster Preschool
Des Moines, IA
07.2019 - 12.2020
- Set educational standards and goals, and help establish policies, procedures, and programs to carry them out.
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff, and recommend personnel actions for programs and services.
- Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment, and authorize purchases.
- Review and evaluate new and current programs to determine their efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with state, local, and federal regulations, and recommend any necessary modifications.
- Review and interpret government codes, and develop procedures to meet codes and to ensure facility safety, security, and maintenance.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND TEACHER
Westminster Preschool
Des Moines, IA
05.2015 - 07.2019
- Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies, and students' behavioral or learning problems.
- Monitor students' progress, and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems.
- Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and field trips.
- Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Identify children showing signs of emotional, developmental, or health-related problems, and discuss them with supervisors, parents or guardians, and child development specialists.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and needs, determine their priorities for their children, and suggest ways that they can promote learning and development.
CHILD CARE PROVIDER
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Clive, IA
11.2009 - 08.2015
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Dress children and change diapers.
- Observe and monitor children's play activities.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- Sanitize toys and play equipment.
- Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Westminster Preschool
Des Moines, IA
10.2012 - 05.2015
- Teach basic skills such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Assimilate arriving children to the school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear, and selecting activities of interest to them.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
INFANT ROOM TEACHER
Waukee Community Schools
Waukee, IA
08.2012 - 10.2012
- Observe and monitor children's play activities.
- Dress children and change diapers.
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- Sanitize toys and play equipment.
- Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
- Create developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
BEFORE SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROVIDER
Waukee Community Schools
Waukee, IA
09.2011 - 08.2012
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Observe and monitor children's play activities.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- Sanitize toys and play equipment.
INFANT AND TODDLER ROOM TEACHER
Children and Families of Iowa
Des Moines, IA
10.2006 - 09.2009
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Dress children and change diapers.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- Sanitize toys and play equipment.
- Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
- Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention.
- Organize and store toys and materials to ensure order in activity areas.
- Sterilize bottles and prepare formulas.
- Create developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Elementary Education
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA05-2002
Associate in Arts (A.A.) - Early Childhood Education (AECE)
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA05-2002
Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Creativity
Timeline
Tutor
Educational Resource Associates
05.2022 - 08.2023
Stay at Home Parent
Self Employed
12.2020 - Current
DIRECTOR
Westminster Preschool
07.2019 - 12.2020
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND TEACHER
Westminster Preschool
05.2015 - 07.2019
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Westminster Preschool
10.2012 - 05.2015
INFANT ROOM TEACHER
Waukee Community Schools
08.2012 - 10.2012
BEFORE SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROVIDER
Waukee Community Schools
09.2011 - 08.2012
CHILD CARE PROVIDER
YMCA of Greater Des Moines
11.2009 - 08.2015
INFANT AND TODDLER ROOM TEACHER
Children and Families of Iowa
10.2006 - 09.2009
Associate in Arts (A.A.) - Early Childhood Education (AECE)
Indian Hills Community College
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Elementary Education
Buena Vista University