Koda Ekstein
The Bronx,NY
Summary
Professional childcare worker with solid foundation in early childhood education and classroom support. Known for fostering collaborative environments and contributing to development of engaging, age-appropriate activities. Reliable team player who adapts to changing needs and prioritizes well-being and development of children. Skilled in communication, classroom management, and creating nurturing atmosphere.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Daycare Assistant Teacher
SAR Academy
The Bronx, NY
09.2023 - Current
- Facilitated daily learning activities, fostering cognitive and social development in children.
- Implemented age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with developmental milestones.
- Monitored children's behavior, providing guidance to promote positive interactions.
- Collaborated with lead teacher to assess individual progress and adapt learning strategies.
- Organized and maintained classroom materials, ensuring a safe and engaging environment.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding children's progress and behavioral concerns.
- Mentored new staff on classroom management techniques and educational best practices.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, incident reports, meal counts, and other essential documentation as required by state regulations or center policies consistently.
- Ensured child safety by maintaining a clean, organized, and hazard-free facility at all times.
- Arrived at assigned areas on time, prepared, and ready to work.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Managed daily routines efficiently to maintain a consistent schedule for students, promoting optimal time management skills in young learners.
- Observed play activities to identify positive behaviors and areas in need of improvement, implementing behavior redirection where appropriate.
Assistant Teacher
SAR Academy
The Bronx, NY
09.2024 - 06.2025
- Assisted in developing and implementing age-appropriate lesson plans.
- Fostered a nurturing environment to support children's emotional and social development.
- Collaborated with lead teachers to evaluate student progress and adapt learning strategies.
- Maintained classroom organization and cleanliness to ensure a safe learning environment.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding student behavior and progress updates.
- Supported classroom management by implementing structured routines and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Aided in the preparation of instructional materials, ensuring resources were readily available for each lesson.
- Served as a positive role model for students, demonstrating professionalism, empathy, and enthusiasm in all interactions.
- Provided individualized support for students, addressing unique learning needs and fostering growth in all areas.
- Supported lead teacher in conducting assessments to measure student progress and identify areas requiring additional focus.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
Paraprofessional
SAR Academy
The Bronx, NY
09.2023 - 06.2024
- Facilitated small group activities, promoting collaborative learning among students.
- Assisted in maintaining a safe and organized classroom environment conducive to learning.
- Monitored student progress and behavior, providing constructive feedback to enhance learning outcomes.
- Implemented individualized support strategies for students with diverse learning needs.
- Supervised students during non-instructional periods such as lunch, recess, or field trips, ensuring safety at all times.
- Enhanced student support by delivering one-on-one and small group assistance in various subjects.
Personal Assistant
various residents in the Bronx
The Bronx, NY
01.2019 - 06.2021
- Organized work projects around client's house.
- Performed various clerical tasks and organized office areas to promote productivity.
- Managed household inventory and maintenance schedules.
- Organized personal and professional calendars with reminders for upcoming meetings and events.
- Ran errands to help with daily tasks, enabling employer to focus on more pressing duties.
- Scanned physical documents and uploaded to encrypted databases for digital maintenance.
- Organized both physical and digital files and updated reports to coordinate project materials.
- Kept patient health and personal information private and confidential.
- Documented key information from each service visit into detailed reports.
- Delivered warm companionship with conversation, emotional reassurance and coordination of mentally stimulating activities.
- Prepared records of client progress and services performed under care.
- Provided assistance communicating, typing correspondence or obtaining information.
Camp Counselor
Westchester Summer Day
New Rochelle, NY
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Cultivated effective relationships with campers, parents and other camp counselors by utilizing active listening and dynamic interpersonal skills.
- Engaged children in arts and crafts, singing, sports activities, games and field trips while maintaining safe environment.
- Enforced discipline and policies to protect safety of recreational activity participants.
- Improved camper experience with list of flash-fun ideas.
- Recognized and implemented safety standards to minimize incidents or accidents.
- Delivered set curriculum to team of campers to promote engaging and fun atmosphere.
- Tracked attendance, checking off present individuals.
- Monitored activities matched to individual and group abilities to keep campers safe.
- Worked creatively with other staff to develop and carry out new themes and events for camp participants.
- Developed engaging, informative activities for campers.
FAC Assistant
Saks Fifth Avenue
Manhattan, NY
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Delivered best-in-class stylist services to customers to build brand and drive business.
- Processed accurate transactions, charge sends and returns at POS stations.
- Answered store and merchandise questions and led customers to wanted items.
- Placed special orders or called other stores to find desired items.
- Recommended merchandise to customers based on needs and preferences.
- Bagged or packaged purchases and wrapped gifts.
- Boosted sales by educating clients on merchandise, events and upcoming promotions.
- Recommended, selected and located merchandise based on customer desires.
- Boosted sales by educating clients on merchandise, events and upcoming promotions.
- Recommended shoes and accessories to complement client outfits.
- Cross-sold products and accessories using consultative approaches.
- Maintained knowledge of sales and promotions, return policies and security practices.
- Remembered frequent customer names, sizes and clothing preferences.
- Exchanged merchandise for customers and accepted returns.
- Embodied strong sense of fashion, enthusiastic attitude and brand aesthetics to generate interest in offerings.
- Maintained proper product presentation, located items for customers and replenished store inventories.
- Computed purchases and received and processed cash or credit payment.
- Greeted customers to determine wants or needs.
- Opened and closed cash registers by counting money, separating charge slips and balancing drawers.
Camp Counselor
Chabad Riverdale
The Bronx, NY
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Enforced discipline and policies to protect safety of recreational activity participants.
- Coordinated and led group activities for campers and counselors.
- Improved camper experience with list of flash-fun ideas.
- Established and built relationships with campers to ease fears in new environment.
- Engaged children in interactive activities and organized arts and crafts, sports games and field trips.
- Met with parents and briefed on camp activities.
- Relayed camper activities and behavior to parents.
- Monitored for signs of physical and emotional distress and stopped activities to administer care when appropriate.
- Coordinated details of summer activities, scheduling field trips and visits to cultural institutions and recreational swimming pools.
- Reviewed inventory levels and obtained supplies needed for lesson plans.
- Planned various indoor activities during periods of inclement weather to promote camper satisfaction.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Acting
American Musical And Dramatic Academy - New York
New York, NYHigh School Diploma -
Robert Louis Stevenson High School
New York, NY06-2021
Skills
- Child development
- Outdoor play supervision
- Activities planning
- Safety monitoring
- Patience and empathy
- Professionalism and ethics
- Care planning
- Classroom management
- Classroom organization
- Early childhood development
- Activity planning
- Early childhood education
- Art and music integration
Certification
- Mandated Reporter Training
- Early Childhood Health and Safety Training - 2025
- Early Childhood Education Training - 2025
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Elementary
Hebrew
Elementary
Timeline
Assistant Teacher
SAR Academy
09.2024 - 06.2025
Daycare Assistant Teacher
SAR Academy
09.2023 - Current
Paraprofessional
SAR Academy
09.2023 - 06.2024
FAC Assistant
Saks Fifth Avenue
01.2023 - 03.2023
Camp Counselor
Westchester Summer Day
06.2019 - 08.2019
Personal Assistant
various residents in the Bronx
01.2019 - 06.2021
Camp Counselor
Chabad Riverdale
06.2018 - 08.2018
High School Diploma -
Robert Louis Stevenson High School
Some College (No Degree) - Acting
American Musical And Dramatic Academy - New York