Jessica Nanus
Medford,NJ
Summary
Early Childhood/Childhood/Special Education/ABA/Classroom Management Professional Development expert prepared to create new and impactful learning experiences to assist professionals who work with young children with strategies and support. Extensive background in creating tailored curricula and leading workshops that foster skill development. Known for collaborative approach, adaptability, and passion for supporting life long learners. Key skills include instructional design, public speaking, mentorship, modeling and collaboration.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional Development Instructor
Self Employed
08.2014 - Current
- Provided peer reviewed data for continuing education of adult staffs in a variety of private/federation/foundation settings.
- Introduced diversity and inclusion initiatives by incorporating relevant content into training materials, facilitating discussions around unconscious bias, and promoting inclusive behaviors across all levels of the organization.
- Developed training programs, presentations and summaries for all professionals and administrative staff
- Facilitated virtual, in-person and blended learning sessions.
- Promoted a culture of continuous learning by creating opportunities for peer-led knowledge sharing sessions and informal networking events.
- Trained and mentored 30+ new personnel hired to fulfill various roles.
- Contributed to a positive team environment through effective communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
- Developed job-specific competencies and performance standards.
- Implemented innovative instructional strategies to engage participants, promote active learning, and increase retention of critical concepts.
Child Development Specialist
Big Apple Therapy Associates LLC AND Classic Rehabilitation Limited
08.2023 - Current
- Provide in person developmental intervention, ABA therapy and play therapy to children 0-3 with developmental delays/deficits
- Engage parents in understanding how to work with their child
- Assist in writing goals
- Administering ELAP
- Writing notes on each child’s progress after each session
- Modifying IFSPs in coordination with the service coordinator when necessary
- Updating goals and writing form 25s for children leaving service
- Developed level-appropriate lessons and activities to support skill-building needs.
- Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children with special needs and developmental delays.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
Behavior Specialist
Virtua Pediatric Rehabilitation
06.2022 - 07.2024
- Company Overview: Early Intervention Services
- Provide in person developmental intervention, ABA therapy and play therapy to children 0-3 with developmental delays/deficits
- Engage parents in understanding how to work with their child
- Assist in writing goals
- Administering ELAP/HELP
- Used Spanish Language Skills to translate
- Writing notes on each child’s progress after each session
- Modifying IFSPs in coordination with the service coordinator when necessary
- Updating goals and writing form 25s for children leaving service
- Early Intervention Services
- Developed and maintained individualized skill-appropriate lesson plans.
- Improved student behavior by implementing individualized behavior support plans and strategies.
Director of Education
TBS School
07.2017 - 03.2022
- Company Overview: Director of Education
- Communicate with parents and staff via weekly newsletters
- Reported to and worked closely with lay leadership
- Created a community-based RS model to meet the needs of working families
- Consolidated sessions to decrease spending
- Worked with finance committee and Education VP to create budgets
- Cut spending by 10% in the Religious School (current fiscal year)
- Responsible for managing staff
- Director of Education
- Oversaw development and implementation of quality educational programs.
- Prepared action plans to address concerns discovered through surveys, classroom observations and conversations with stakeholders.
- Recruited, trained and mentored faculty and staff in best practices for instruction.
- Strengthened curriculum design by collaborating with faculty and implementing innovative teaching methodologies.
- Managed staff development initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement among educators.
- Oversaw budget management processes, optimizing resource allocation to support high-quality instruction and operations.
- Leading regular meetings with faculty members to discuss best practices in education delivery methods; provided constructive feedback to promote improvements.
- Guided teachers in incorporating differentiated instruction techniques into their lessons to cater to diverse learning styles.
- Counseled and monitored at-risk students for attendance, academic progress and behavioral concerns.
- Enhanced overall educational quality by evaluating and refining instructional programs based on data-driven assessments.
- Planned successful events, enhancing community engagement in education programs and raising awareness about school offerings.
Early Childhood Center Director
AEE-ECC
06.2013 - 06.2018
- Company Overview: Early Childhood Center Director
- Increased enrollment of preschool by 100% within 6 months; Doubled enrollment in second year
- Create developmentally appropriate spiraled Judaic, secular and academic curriculum
- Currently Supervise School of 70 students and 15 staff members
- Responsible for hiring, training and supervising staff members
- Provide professional development for staff members (22 + hours annually)
- Evaluated classroom teachers bi-yearly
- Implemented early childhood educational theory into classroom practices
- Maintained NJ state licensing standards and regulations as per the Department of Children and Families
- Worked with professional staff, clergy, and lay leadership to integrate ECC with the community at large
- Created and balanced fiscally responsible budget
- Instituted a pay scale for employees based on seniority, education and job title
- Created a bonus structure for ECC employees to increase moral and reward dedicated staff members
- Built strong and trusting relationships with staff members through team-building initiatives and a firm standard of transparency
- Created social networking platform for parents
- Communicated with the synagogue and ECC community via weekly newsletters and monthly bulletin articles
- Initiated 'Project Parent' as a series of lectures and workshops
- Early Childhood Center Director
- Developed and implemented emergency response plans for disasters, security issues, and injuries.
- Kept facility in compliance with all applicable standards and laws.
- Developed strong community relationships to support center programs and initiatives.
- Achieved accreditation requirements by ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Cultivated and strengthened relationships with children and families.
- Evaluated staff performance regularly through observations, providing actionable feedback that led to professional growth.
- Fostered an inclusive culture within the center by promoting diversity awareness among staff members and addressing any discriminatory behaviors swiftly.
- Oversaw daily operations, streamlining processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
- Increased staff productivity with regular training sessions, clear expectations, and constructive feedback.
- Organized special events such as open houses or workshops to showcase center achievements while engaging parents in their children''s education.
Pre-k Head Teacher
RCSEC
08.2007 - 06.2013
- Company Overview: Pre-k Head Teacher
- Work to provide developmentally meaningful curriculum to enhance the social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language skills in our inclusion pre-school classroom
- Work collaboratively with special education service providers, reviewing and implementing IFSP/IEPs and attend multidisciplinary team meetings
- Integrate Jewish Values, Practices, Rituals and language into the classroom environment
- Attend staff development workshops and conferences throughout the year
- Run after school 'enrichment' programs daily for two hours that are designed to stimulate students through guided reading and developmental theory
- Pre-k Head Teacher
- Managed inclusion classroom with one assistant while collaborating with paraprofessionals on an hourly basis
Assistant Camp Director
Field Club of Greenwich
02.2010 - 05.2013
- Company Overview: Assistant Camp Director
- Responsible for overseeing day to day management of camp activities and employees
- Acting as community builder between community members, campers, families and staff to maintain excellent communication and information sharing processes
- Maintaining camp accreditation with the State Health Department and American Camping Association
- Charged with planning, implementing and running orientation and staff development for returning and future staff members
- Assistant Camp Director
- Performed staff evaluations and addressed areas for improvement.
- Arranged packed activity schedule with numerous outdoor activities, crafts and learning opportunities.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians by maintaining open lines of communication and addressing concerns promptly, fostering trust in the camp environment.
- Hired, disciplined and managed 10-15 camp staff members.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major, Studio Art, Art History
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NYMaster of Professional Studies - Childhood Education/ Childhood Special Education
Manhattanville College
Purchase, NY01.2011
Skills
- Spanish Language proficient
- Microsoft Word
- Access
- Power Point
- Excell
- EIMS proficient
- IFSP proficient
- IEP proficient
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
References
Available Upon Request
Accomplishments
- Was selected as one of sixteen participants from hundreds of applicants across the country.
- Committed to a two year intensive program with Summer institutes in New York City.
JECELI (Jewish Early Childhood Educational Leadership Institute) Cohort 3 Member (2013-2015)
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
American Sign Language
Professional Working
Timeline
Child Development Specialist
Big Apple Therapy Associates LLC AND Classic Rehabilitation Limited
08.2023 - Current
Behavior Specialist
Virtua Pediatric Rehabilitation
06.2022 - 07.2024
Director of Education
TBS School
07.2017 - 03.2022
Professional Development Instructor
Self Employed
08.2014 - Current
Early Childhood Center Director
AEE-ECC
06.2013 - 06.2018
Assistant Camp Director
Field Club of Greenwich
02.2010 - 05.2013
Pre-k Head Teacher
RCSEC
08.2007 - 06.2013
Master of Professional Studies - Childhood Education/ Childhood Special Education
Manhattanville College
Bachelor of Arts - Double Major, Studio Art, Art History
Ithaca College