Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

KARLA CRICHTON

SIBLEY,IA

Summary

Highly motivated team player with passion for helping others. Possesses excellent organizational and communication skills and provides individualized assistance and support. Experienced in delivering guidance and education on various topics such as academics, behavior management and technology. Demonstrated ability as Paraprofessional to foster positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues. Committed to providing culturally responsive support, meeting diverse needs of students. Patient demeanor creates environment where students feel comfortable asking questions while learning new concepts. Experienced professional committed to providing students with tools and resources to succeed academically. Highly organized and detail-oriented with passion for helping children reach academic goals. Goal-oriented, caring with students of different learning levels and backgrounds. Always ready to step in and positively impact student learning or teacher wellbeing with timely support. Reliable in maintaining orderly spaces and preparing daily materials.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Paraprofessional

Sibley-Ocheyedan CSD
09.2019 - Current
  • Enhanced student support by delivering one-on-one and small group assistance in various subjects.
  • Collaborated with teachers to develop and implement individualized education plans for students with special needs.
  • Improved classroom management by assisting teachers with behavioral interventions and monitoring student progress.
  • Fostered a positive learning environment by establishing strong rapport with students, parents, and faculty members.
  • Supported special education teachers in implementing accommodations and modifications for students with diverse learning needs.
  • Enhanced students'' learning experiences by implementing individualized educational plans and adapting teaching methods for special needs students.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support strategies for each student, contributing to improved academic performance.
  • Assisted in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
  • Coordinated with teachers to create inclusive lesson plans that addressed the diverse needs of all learners within the classroom setting.
  • Provided necessary accommodations for testing situations, ensuring fair opportunities for all students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
  • Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
  • Contributed to successful transitions between grade levels by collaborating closely with incoming teachers about each student''s specific strengths, challenges, and support requirements.
  • Implemented evidence-based instructional strategies tailored to each student''s unique learning style, promoting greater comprehension across subject areas.

Paraprofessional

Prairie Elementary School
02.2016 - 05.2018
  • Supported lead teacher in managing classroom activities for optimal student engagement and growth.
  • Provided one-on-one instruction for struggling students, improving their overall performance in the classroom.
  • Helped children build essential social skills through group activities and structured playtime sessions.
  • Organized educational field trips, sparking curiosity and enhancing the learning experience beyond the classroom setting.
  • Implemented positive reinforcement strategies to promote good behavior and foster a supportive learning atmosphere.
  • Prepared instructional materials, including visual aids, hands-on resources, and multimedia tools, to support teaching objectives effectively.
  • Participated in professional development workshops to gain new insights into best practices for early childhood education.

Paraprofessional

Sibley-Ocheyedan Elementary School
08.2010 - 02.2016
  • Enhanced student comprehension by utilizing visual aids and hands-on activities in lessons.
  • Assisted lead teacher in creating differentiated instruction strategies, resulting in improved learning outcomes for diverse learners.
  • Promoted a positive classroom environment by establishing clear expectations and consistently enforcing rules and routines.
  • Assisted lead teacher in assessing student performance through various formative and summative assessments accurately measuring growth over time.
  • Facilitated small group instruction for targeted skill-building, resulting in increased student achievement levels across subject areas.
  • Provided constructive feedback to guide students towards reaching their full potential both academically and socially.
  • Monitored student safety during indoor and outdoor activities while maintaining constant supervision throughout the school day.
  • Served as a positive role model for students by displaying professionalism and dedication to education.

Account Executive - Payables and Receivables/Customer Service Representative

Keith M. Merrick Company
01.1998 - 02.2009
  • Boosted client satisfaction by developing and maintaining strong relationships through effective communication.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by promptly addressing concerns and providing accurate information.
  • Resolved customer complaints with empathy, resulting in increased loyalty and repeat business.
  • Assisted customers in navigating company website and placing online orders, improving overall user experience.
  • Developed strong product knowledge to provide informed recommendations based on individual customer needs.
  • Managed high-stress situations effectively, maintaining professionalism under pressure while resolving disputes or conflicts.
  • Contributed to sales growth by upselling products and services based on individual customer requirements.
  • Handled escalated calls efficiently, finding satisfactory resolutions for both customers and the company alike.
  • Assisted in the preparation of monthly financial statements for timely and accurate reporting to management.
  • Enhanced financial reporting accuracy by diligently reconciling accounts and identifying discrepancies.
  • Assisted with timely month-end closing activities to ensure accurate financial statements for management review.
  • Enhanced financial accuracy by streamlining accounting processes and implementing effective procedures.

Education

High School Diploma -

Sibley-Ocheyedan High School
Sibley, IA
1997

Skills

  • Teacher Support
  • Documentation
  • Special Education Support
  • Social Support

Affiliations

  • My hobbies include my children's activities, watching sports, going for walks. I am a very social person and feel as though wherever I have worked, I have made many friendships and I feel that is a very strong asset to any job

References

LaDonn Hartzell

1-605-759-8379

Sibley, Iowa

Have known LaDonn my entire life as she is my aunt and has been a big influence on my life and my children's.


Peter Carlson

712-461-0255

Ashton, Iowa

I have known Peter for 20 plus years. We had daughters who grew up together and also worked with him and his wife at Sibley-Ocheyedan Schools.


Jeff Herzberg

712-570-2601

DesMoines, Iowa

I have known Jeff for 15 plus years. Family friend, and also why I started working in the school district.


Timeline

Paraprofessional

Sibley-Ocheyedan CSD
09.2019 - Current

Paraprofessional

Prairie Elementary School
02.2016 - 05.2018

Paraprofessional

Sibley-Ocheyedan Elementary School
08.2010 - 02.2016

Account Executive - Payables and Receivables/Customer Service Representative

Keith M. Merrick Company
01.1998 - 02.2009

High School Diploma -

Sibley-Ocheyedan High School
KARLA CRICHTON