Kayla Andreen
Portsmouth,RI
Summary
Being equipped with children of my own that have a variety of special needs, I believe in a team approach to success. While parents know their child best, other professionals do have knowledgeable insight that can prove to be helpful for the betterment of the child or individual with special needs (super powers as I like to call them). Through a whole child approach, I have the experience and passion to aid in helping families navigate the joyful yet sometimes murky waters of special education.
There is always room to learn, and I am very teachable and excited to learn something new.
Communication, transparency and patience being key, working with families is a challenging yet rewarding experience I treasure.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Personal Aide
The Fogarty Center (Options)
01.2009 - 02.2023
- Providing personal hygiene care assistance, assisting with daily living skills, assisting with meal preparation, arranging recreational activities to involve client in the community, planning and executing therapeutic activities, general community outings.
- Observed and monitored activities.
- Offered caring companionship and emotional support.
- Facilitated recreational activities tailored to individual patient interests, promoting social engagement and mental stimulation.
HBTS (Home-Based Therapeutic Services) Worker
Looking Upwards
10.2020 - 04.2021
- Created and executed age appropriate activities.
- Positive engagement with caregivers and encouraged carryover from sessions.
- Participated in virtual collaborations with fellow therapists and clinicians.
- Returned timesheets and documentation in a timely manner.
- Completed documented, detailed reviews of sessions.
Children’s Ministry Teacher/Helper
Evangelical Friends Church
01.2013 - 01.2020
- Prepared lessons to teach.
- Responded to student needs and questions promptly.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by effectively managing classroom behavior and addressing individual needs.
- Positive interactions with caregivers.
Children’s Ministry Director, Special Needs Coordinator
Evangelical Friends Church
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Created lesson plans.
- Recruitment and organizing of volunteers.
- Decorating and designing of age appropriate spaces.
- Managed a schedule, attended professional development.
- Sanitation of surfaces and children's toys.
- Teaching children with and without special needs, one on one teachings, training volunteers/staff members.
- Provided administrative support for the development and implementation of new programs within the church.
- Managed inventory levels for supplies needed in various ministry areas, maintaining cost-effective purchasing practices.
Summer Seasonal Cashier/Corn Cop
Escobar Farm Corn Maze
01.2004 - 11.2019
- Ongoing customer relations, managing staff.
- Welcomed customers and helped determine their needs.
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
- Operated cash register for cash transactions with accuracy.
- Restocked and organized merchandise.
- Resolved customer complaints professionally.
Co-coordinator
MOPS Newport (Mothers of Preschoolers)
09.2017 - 06.2018
- Set up and break down events.
- Organized meetings, play groups, group activities.
- Planning and executing meetings, public and group speaking.
- Implemented creative problem-solving strategies in response to unforeseen challenges or obstacles during events planning process.
- Established strong partnerships with other organizations leading to increased collaboration opportunities.
Children’s Ministry Intern
Evangelical Friends Church
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Creating lesson plans.
- Teaching children.
- Organizing materials, recruiting and communicating with volunteers.
- Kept program children safe and secure at all times with proactive monitoring strategies.
- Directed pre-school, toddler and infant services.
- Sourced, modified and prepared class curricula and targeted lesson plans based on subject matter requirements.
Education
Associate Degree in Education, Education/Special Education -
Community College of Rhode Island
Warwick05.2022
Skills
- Dedicated Team Player
- Resourceful
- Positive Attitude
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Relationship Building
- Proficient in Microsoft Word
- Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint
Community Service
- MOPS Newport (Mothers of Preschoolers), Childcare Attendant 09/15 - 06/16
- Engaging with children and caregivers.
- Structured age appropriate play with children.
- Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine Buddy 02/2016 - 02/2017
- Assisted individual with special needs for an evening.
- Assisted with structured activities such as music, games, dining.
- Involvement in 4-H (2003-2009)
- Grooming of cows.
- Feeding/care of farm animals.
- Farm responsibilities.
- Competing in fairs; showing cows.
- Public Speaking.
- Organizing of meetings and activities.
Timeline
HBTS (Home-Based Therapeutic Services) Worker
Looking Upwards
10.2020 - 04.2021
Children’s Ministry Director, Special Needs Coordinator
Evangelical Friends Church
01.2018 - 12.2019
Co-coordinator
MOPS Newport (Mothers of Preschoolers)
09.2017 - 06.2018
Children’s Ministry Intern
Evangelical Friends Church
01.2017 - 12.2017
Children’s Ministry Teacher/Helper
Evangelical Friends Church
01.2013 - 01.2020
Personal Aide
The Fogarty Center (Options)
01.2009 - 02.2023
Summer Seasonal Cashier/Corn Cop
Escobar Farm Corn Maze
01.2004 - 11.2019
Associate Degree in Education, Education/Special Education -
Community College of Rhode Island