Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kristen Jones

Cheektowaga

Summary

Early childhood and childhood education professional with 19 years of experience and extensive background in fostering child development and creating engaging learning environments. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with team members and adapt to dynamic classroom needs. Adept in curriculum planning, classroom management, and nurturing positive learning atmosphere.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (UPK)

St. Stephen School
09.2023 - Current
  • Developed daily lesson plans following the Creative Curriculum guidelines with entailed social/emotional development, physical development, cognitive development and language development.
  • Maintained student portfolios with supporting documentation to meet standards outlined for UPK.
  • Identified children showing signs of developmental or health-related problems and escalated those issues to administration, parents and/or child developmental specialists.
  • Completed each child assessment and conducted parent/teacher conferences and made appropriate referrals when necessary.
  • Improved language skills by reading to students and encouraging discussion through storytelling activities.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents, enhancing communication and collaboration for student success.
  • Utilized various forms of technology in the classroom to support student learning and facilitate interactive lessons.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary projects, broadening the scope of learning experiences for students.
  • Actively participated in professional development workshops to stay current on educational trends and improve teaching techniques.
  • Demonstrated flexibility by adapting lesson plans according to changing needs or circumstances while maintaining high-quality instruction for all students.

Pre-K 3 Teacher

Holy Cross Head Start
08.2019 - 08.2023
  • Conducted home visits and parent/teacher conferences for the purpose of assessment, provide support and to share information on classroom progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
  • Worked together with family services staff to support families as they implement sound family life practices, extend learning into the home, and meet attendance expectations.
  • Collaborated with Case Manager once a month (Family Study Team), to discuss every child in classroom regarding Program, Health, Nutrition, Social Services, Education.
  • Followed a consistent schedule, which includes small and large group experiences, choice time, music and movement, large and small motor activities, skill development, meals, rest time and effective transitions between activities.
  • Developed and utilized integrated curriculum plans, which reflect mandated elements and components, parental and cultural influences, and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of early head start children.
  • Provided an enriched, stimulating and safe environment that encouraged exploration and experimentation that facilitated maximum child development and involvement.
  • Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.

Pre-K 4 Teacher

St. Mary's Elementary School
09.2012 - 06.2019
  • Conducted annual Pre-K Screening for all Pre-K 4 students
  • Designed, developed, and implemented a variety of age-appropriate activities that stimulated and sustained the interest of the children, contributing to their social, emotional, & intellectual needs that ensured students were equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for entering kindergarten.
  • Motivated and challenged students through hands-on experiences and cooperative learning activities in a collaborative environment.
  • Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
  • Promoted social-emotional development with interactive lessons on empathy, conflict resolution, and self-regulation techniques.
  • Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.

Kinder-Ready Teacher

Great Expectations Child Care Center
03.2011 - 07.2012
  • Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
  • Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
  • Fostered positive learning environment that encouraged student curiosity and critical thinking.

Substitute Teacher Per Diem

Orchard Park Central School District
09.2009 - 03.2011
  • Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
  • Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.

Fourth Grade Extended Learning Opportunities Program Teacher

Buffalo Public School Early Childhood Center #17
07.2009 - 08.2009
  • Implemented a research-based, summer reading intervention Voyager Time Warp Plus to build essential skills.
  • Provided daily fluency practice and administered reading instructional-level text to practice rate and accuracy.
  • Differentiated instruction by challenging students with systematic, explicit instruction in small, teacher-directed, same-ability groups and provided the opportunity to practice, respond, reflect and debrief on what they learned.
  • Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and hands-on activities into lesson plans.

Fourth Grade Teacher

Springville Elementary School
08.2006 - 01.2008
  • Participated in Grade 4 NYS ELA Regional Scoring: White Inn, Fredonia, Jan. 29 & 30 2008.
  • Administered Grade 4 NYS ELA, Math and Science Assessments.
  • Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.
  • Provided students hands-on experiences in Science through BOCES kits - Plant Growth and Development, Electricity, Land and Water, Motion and Design, & Powders and Crystals.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication, fostering a supportive learning community.
  • Increased student motivation by creating engaging activities and hands-on projects that connected to real-world experiences.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, staying current on trends in education and bringing innovative ideas back to the classroom.

First Grade Teacher

Franklinville Elementary School
08.2006 - 08.2007
  • Administered and scored Terra Nova Test.
  • Utilized Dibels and data-driven instruction to identify areas of need for individual students and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
  • Co-taught Reading First Curriculum with the Academic Intervention Specialist daily and presented explicit instruction in the following five components of reading: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students made progress towards academic goals.
  • Established strong relationships with parents through effective communication about their child''s academic progress and social-emotional development.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education & Childhood Education

Buffalo State College

Master of Science - Childhood Special Education

Medaille College

Skills

  • Cross-platform technology proficiency
  • Parent-teacher communication
  • Creative lesson planning
  • Time management
  • Collaborative and Team-oriented
  • Social-emotional learning
  • Group and individual instruction
  • Conflict resolution techniques
  • Excellent classroom management

Accomplishments

    STREAM Coordinator 2023-present, St. Stephen School

    CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications 2023

    Pre-K Program Director 2016-2019, St. Mary's Elementary

    School Effectiveness Team 2016-2019, St. Mary's Elementary

    Summer Camp Director 2015-2018, St. Mary's Elementary

    Christian Witness Award January 2016 & November 2016, St. Mary's Elementary

    M&T Bank Touchdown for Teachers Certificate of Recognition 2014

    Teacher of the Month April 2008, Springville Elementary

    Achievement Award presented by the Association for the Education of Young Children of WNY 2008

    Certificate of Achievement for the Successful Completion 2007-2008 Mentor/Mentee Program, Springville Elementary

    Certificate of Achievement Successful Completion 2006-2007 Mentor/Mentee Program, Franklinville Elementary

    Dean's List Summer 2007, Fall 2007 & Spring 2008, Medaille College

    Dean's List Spring 2005 & Fall 2005, Buffalo State College

    Wegmans Scholarship 2003-2006

Certification

  • New York State Certification in Early Childhood; Birth- Grade 6 (Initial)
  • New York State Certification in Childhood Education; Grades 1-6 (Initial)
  • New York State Certification in Childhood Special Education; Grades 1-6 (Pending)

Timeline

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Teacher (UPK)

St. Stephen School
09.2023 - Current

Pre-K 3 Teacher

Holy Cross Head Start
08.2019 - 08.2023

Pre-K 4 Teacher

St. Mary's Elementary School
09.2012 - 06.2019

Kinder-Ready Teacher

Great Expectations Child Care Center
03.2011 - 07.2012

Substitute Teacher Per Diem

Orchard Park Central School District
09.2009 - 03.2011

Fourth Grade Extended Learning Opportunities Program Teacher

Buffalo Public School Early Childhood Center #17
07.2009 - 08.2009

Fourth Grade Teacher

Springville Elementary School
08.2006 - 01.2008

First Grade Teacher

Franklinville Elementary School
08.2006 - 08.2007

Master of Science - Childhood Special Education

Medaille College

Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education & Childhood Education

Buffalo State College

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