Kelly Sheppard
Spring Arbor,MI
Summary
To seek and maintain a position in the early childhood field that values working together as a team to enhance the quality of our early childhood teachers, administrators and classrooms so that all children may succeed.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Childhood Consultant - Lead
Jackson County Intermediate School District
05.2013 - Current
- Responsible for the county-wide implementation and compliance of the State of Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
- Review and analyze state regulations, ensuring full compliance in GSRP policies and procedures to serve approximately 700 children.
- Fiscally responsible for developing and managing multiple budgets totaling $8,500,000.
- Serve as the direct leader/supervisor for the JCISD Early Childhood Team.
- Establish guidelines for staff performance through detailed job descriptions and evaluation criteria, fostering accountability within the team environment with an emphasis on staff development and growth.
- Develop and present customized professional development workshops to enhance teacher and administrator performance and skills.
- Collaborate with various organizations and stakeholders to promote best practices in early childhood education.
- Organize community outreach events to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education, fostering strong local partnerships.
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary team meetings involving educators, parents, therapists, and administrators to develop comprehensive plans for individualized student support..
- Participate in convenings, opportunities and affiliations designed to impact State policy using input and feedback methods.
Great Start Collaborative - Parent Liaison
Community Action Agency
04.2010 - 04.2013
- Created and implemented informative workshops, gatherings and events to provide families of young children information to increase their confidence in advocating for and raising their children.
- Provided support to families in need by connecting them with relevant resources within the community.
- Developed strong relationships with parents through consistent communication and active listening, promoting a positive learning environment.
- Hosted family survey opportunities to gather feedback from families and share with the Great Start Collaborative Executive Committee to guide the work of the collaborative.
- Coordinated parent education initiatives, including guest speakers and workshops, to provide families with valuable information on various topics related to child development and advocacy.
Communications and Marketing Manager
LifeWays Community Mental Health
08.2000 - 08.2006
- Managed public relations efforts, securing positive media coverage and fostering strong relationships with media entities.
- Served on State Community Mental Health (CMH) entities to provide input and assist in state-wide educational opportunities for CMHs.
- Developed compelling marketing materials such as brochures, email campaigns, and press releases.
- Revamped organization newsletter format to re-brand logo and image.
- Managed consistent design theme, look and content of organization's message.
- Represented organization with media outlets and general public, conveying consistent messages to support objectives and positively spin current events.
- Wrote and distributed press releases to increase brand visibility.
- Provided presentations to the CMH board and outside entities to convey community feedback, next steps and to convey the organization's structure.
Education
MBA - Business Administration And Marketing
Baker College
Jackson, MI05.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI05.1996
High School Diploma -
Western High School
Parma, MI05.1992
Skills
- Inclusive education
- Cognitive Coach Trained
- Attention to Detail
- Public Speaking
- Fiscal Management
- Staff Development
- Project Management
- Team Collaboration
- Effective Communication
- Board Management
- Active Listening
- Problem-solving abilities
Affiliations
- Early Childhood Administrator Network (Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators)
- Jackson Collaborative Network - Council Member
- Early Childhood Administrators (Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential)
- Early Childhood Investment Corporation - Corporate Board Member
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Early Childhood Consultant - Lead
Jackson County Intermediate School District
05.2013 - Current
Great Start Collaborative - Parent Liaison
Community Action Agency
04.2010 - 04.2013
Communications and Marketing Manager
LifeWays Community Mental Health
08.2000 - 08.2006
MBA - Business Administration And Marketing
Baker College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Spring Arbor University
High School Diploma -
Western High School
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