Jessica Black
Summary
Enthusiastic Preschool Paraprofessional with experience assisting teachers and providing instruction to students. Monitors student progress and provides guidance and support to teachers. Organized and dependable. Successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Preschool Paraprofessional
Iowa City School District
09.2015 - Current
- Interacted with children one-on-one and in small groups to enhance and support learning activities.
- Supported children with disabilities.
- Supported children's social and emotional development by encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Engaged and entertained children through educational activities during freeplay and during planned lessons.
- Encouraged children to interact with each other and participate in group activities.
- Helped maintain the classroom by reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Observed children to identify individuals that may need additional support and help with strategies for them to become successful.
- Taught children with creative approaches, methods, and techniques. i.e first/then boards, visuals and visual schedules.
- Prepared for lessons by gathering educational materials and setting up activities for lead teacher.
- assisted the lead teacher with Gold Teaching Strategies.
- Maintained classrooms by disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces and toys.
- Help prep materials for lessons and activities.
- help of unloading and loading children from and into their vehicles and buses.
- monitored on buses to and from school.
Lead Preschool Teacher and Onsite Supervisor
Early Learners Enrichment
08.2014 - 05.2015
- Opened and closed the preschool/daycare center each day.
- Supervised 30-50 children through entire school day.
- Created lesson plans outdoor learning and discovery.
- Help develop weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation.
- Maintained all the classrooms by reinforcing positive expectations and behaviors.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress.
- Utilized books, songs and games to engage students.
- Planned educational opportunities based on children's interests.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Prepared pre-class materials.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- report in daily with the director with any problems or needs that needed addressed.
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Early Learners Enrichment
09.2011 - 07.2014
- Kept classroom and feeding areas clean, neat and safe.
- Used proper sanitizing techniques for toys, surfaces, and equipment.
- Promoted development of social, emotional, and communication skills in infants.
- Managed personal hygiene requirements with frequent diaper changes, use of bibs, and monitoring of behaviors.
- Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.
- Adhered to parent preferences and legal requirements for feeding breastmilk, formula and solids to infants.
- Engaged with infants on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
- Assisted in preparation of meals and snacks.
- Gathered materials and resources to prepare for lessons and activities.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
Before and After School Care Assistant
Early Learners Enrichment
10.2010 - 07.2011
- Supervised free play and other activities to keep children safe.
- Helped with creation of age-appropriate activities to keep children positively engaged.
- Observed play activities to identify positive behaviors and implementing behavior redirection where appropriate.
- Instructed children in crafts and other activities.
- Monitored children's activities to insure their safety and wellbeing.
- Read stories, sang songs and facilitated creative play.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Assisted with snack preparation.
In Home Daycare Assistant
Kelly Carlson's In Home Daycare
01.2007 - 05.2011
- Maintained clean, neat and hazard-free areas to protect kids.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Provided lunchtime assistance to monitor children, assist with eating and serve food.
- Planned and implemented crafts and other activities to spark interest and enhance development.
- Maintained effective schedule balance between rest periods, active play, and instruction and monitored nap times.
- Observed play activities to identify positive behaviors and implementing behavior redirection where appropriate.
- managed children between ages of 6 months and 5 years old and kept them safe and secure.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Parks And Natural Recourses
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA04.2012
Skills
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Student Engagement and Development
- Classroom Management Techniques
- Daily Schedule Creation
- Personalize Instruction
- Positive Learning Environment
- Collecting Documentation
- Educational Strategies
- Promoting Social and Emotional Development
- Arts and Crafts
- Child CPR and First Aid
Art and Nature
Enjoy spending time in nature and hiking. Our family travels to many of the Iowa state parks each summer and this summer we expanding our outdoor activities and are seeing 3 national parks, badlands, Yellowstone and Redwood. We also go to art museums when traveling to new cities we visit whenever we can.
Timeline
Preschool Paraprofessional
Iowa City School District
09.2015 - Current
Lead Preschool Teacher and Onsite Supervisor
Early Learners Enrichment
08.2014 - 05.2015
Infant and Toddler Teacher
Early Learners Enrichment
09.2011 - 07.2014
Before and After School Care Assistant
Early Learners Enrichment
10.2010 - 07.2011
In Home Daycare Assistant
Kelly Carlson's In Home Daycare
01.2007 - 05.2011
Associate of Applied Science - Parks And Natural Recourses
Kirkwood Community College