Kelsie Gurwell
Runnells
Summary
Accomplished Early Childhood Program Director at Altoona Achievers Child Development Center, adept in staff management and curriculum planning. Leveraged educational technology and multicultural sensitivity to boost enrollment and foster inclusive learning environments. Proven track record in enhancing team collaboration and child development, achieving significant improvements in program assessment and parental engagement.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Early Childhood Program Director
Altoona Achievers Child Development Center
02.2021 - Current
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Strengthened financial health with rigorous cost control measures and revenue enhancement strategies.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Verified that training, technical assistance and compliance monitoring included tiered processes and actions based on school performance.
- Collaborated with social services to communicate with schools and customer service in school program areas.
- Conducted regular staff meetings promoting transparency fostering open exchange discussing ongoing feedback/suggestions for improvements.
- Developed strong relationships with families, fostering open communication and collaboration for children''s success.
- Increased enrollment numbers by developing effective marketing strategies and community outreach efforts.
- Developed annual budgets, managed financial records, and secured funding through grants and fundraising events.
- Created a safe, nurturing environment that promoted the social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development of each child.
- Managed staff recruitment, hiring, training, and retention to maintain a team of highly qualified educators.
- Collaborated with other early childhood professionals to stay current on best practices in the field of early education.
- Engaged with parents and families to build positive relationships for children to thrive.
- Operated under licensing guidelines to protect health, safety and well-being of children.
Early Childhood Educator
Shining Stars Childcare
09.2006 - 01.2021
- Supported children with special needs, creating customized learning strategies to accommodate various abilities.
- Maintained and fostered positive and constructive interactions with staff, families, and children.
- Boosted children''s social skills development through group projects and collaborative games.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Communicated with parents and other staff about student progress.
- Fostered creativity in the classroom through art projects, dramatic play, storytelling exercises, and other imaginative pursuits.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Strengthened parent-teacher relationships through consistent communication, increasing parental involvement in the educational process.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Contributed to staff meetings and professional learning communities, sharing insights and strategies for continuous improvement of teaching practices.
Education
No Degree - Business Administration And Management
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IAHigh School Diploma -
Southeast Polk Highschool
Pleasant Hill, IA05-2008
Skills
- Child safety
- Parent communication
- Staff management
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Educational technology
- Early childhood education
- Special needs support
- Child assessment
- Staff hiring
- Professional ethics
- Child development expertise
- Curriculum planning
- Administrative functions
- Program assessment
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
Certification
- National Administrator Credential (NAC) - National Institute of Child Care Management.
- Professional Membership in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- CPR Certification – American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- First Aid Certification - American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
Timeline
Early Childhood Program Director
Altoona Achievers Child Development Center
02.2021 - Current
Early Childhood Educator
Shining Stars Childcare
09.2006 - 01.2021
- National Administrator Credential (NAC) - National Institute of Child Care Management.
- Professional Membership in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- CPR Certification – American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- First Aid Certification - American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
No Degree - Business Administration And Management
Des Moines Area Community College
High School Diploma -
Southeast Polk Highschool
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