Kristen Smith
Salisbury,MD
Summary
Dynamic K4 Teacher at Wicomico Day School, skilled in fostering literacy development and enhancing classroom management. Achieved increased parent involvement through effective communication, while promoting social-emotional learning. Passionate about collaborative teaching, I create engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring a nurturing environment for all students.
Professional educator with strong expertise in early childhood education. Proven track record in fostering student growth, developing engaging curriculum, and creating supportive learning environment. Known for strong collaborative skills and adaptability to meet evolving classroom needs. Skilled in classroom management, lesson planning, and student assessment. Reliable and focused on delivering impactful educational outcomes.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
K4 Teacher
Wicomico Day School
Salisbury, MD
08.2020 - Current
- Participated actively in professional development workshops and conferences, staying current on educational trends and research to continually refine teaching methods.
- Boosted student confidence and self-esteem by providing regular opportunities for collaborative work and peer feedback.
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall academic performance, such as curriculum development or professional learning communities participation.
- Promoted literacy development with engaging reading materials and targeted skill-building activities.
- Integrated hands-on activities within core subjects to enhance learning retention, bolstering lesson engagement across all subject matters.
- Established high expectations for both academic achievement and behavior, challenging students to reach their full potential consistently.
- Assessed student progress regularly, using data-driven techniques to inform instructional decisions and differentiate instruction as needed.
- Supported the social-emotional growth of students by creating a caring, inclusive classroom community that celebrates diversity and fosters respect for others.
- Increased parent involvement through effective communication and collaboration, resulting in stronger support for student success.
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Promoted learning through play with engaging activities, games and lessons.
- Reported to parents and administration about student progress.
- Played games with students to increase understanding of subjects.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Collaborated with other faculty and staff to promote rigorous learning opportunities, general well-being of school and collective interest of staff and student body.
- Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
Three Year Old Teacher
Wicomico Day School
Salisbury, MD
08.2014 - 08.2020
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop and implement innovative lesson plans for threeyearolds.
- Increased student participation through creative group projects that emphasized teamwork and collaboration among peers.
- Improved classroom management by establishing clear rules, routines, and expectations for student behavior.
- Enhanced classroom organization by implementing visual schedules, color-coded materials, and other strategies to help students navigate the space effectively.
- Fostered a safe, nurturing environment that encouraged social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in young children.
- Contributed to the development of assessments that effectively measured student growth and achievement over time.
- Implemented positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior and enhance self-esteem among students.
- Provided support for students with special needs by adapting instructional methods according to their individual learning requirements.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay updated on best practices in early childhood education.
- Maintained detailed records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to ensure accurate reporting to parents and administrators.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
Two Year Old Teacher
Wicomico Day School
Salisbury
08.2006 - 08.2014
- Supported healthy development by integrating physical activity and outdoor play into the daily routine.
- Coordinated extracurricular activities such as field trips, inviting guest speakers, and organizing special events for cultural enrichment.
- Established clear expectations and routines, promoting consistency and structure within the classroom setting.
- Provided a nurturing environment for emotional and social growth, fostering strong relationships among students and peers.
Two Year Old Teacher
Stepping Stones Learning Center
Salisbury, MD
12.2005 - 06.2006
- Boosted student engagement by implementing creative teaching strategies tailored to individual learning styles.
- Contributed to the professional development of fellow educators by sharing best practices during staff meetings and training sessions.
- Aided in maintaining a safe learning environment by adhering to strict health guidelines and safety protocols at all times.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating hands-on activities and interactive games into daily lesson plans.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Maintained tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
- Actively encouraged children to develop their communication, problem-solving and social skills.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
- Instructed children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toileting.
- Gathered materials and resources to prepare for lessons and activities.
- Documented behavior, development and learning of children to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Intervened in disruptive behavior, using positive reinforcement strategies to redirect and calm children.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Taught hand washing and proper use of utensils to promote good hygiene and etiquette habits.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
Education
Associate Of Applied Science - Early Childhood Education
Wor-Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD05.2006
Skills
- Parent-teacher communication
- Collaborative teaching
- Child development
- Writing instruction
- Literacy development
- Mathematics instruction
- Science education
- Social-emotional learning
- Social skills
- Classroom management
- Classroom organization
- Health and safety
- Emotional support
- Lesson planning
- Behavior management
- Group and individual instruction
- Student assessment
- Student needs assessment
- Student records management
Timeline
K4 Teacher
Wicomico Day School
08.2020 - Current
Three Year Old Teacher
Wicomico Day School
08.2014 - 08.2020
Two Year Old Teacher
Wicomico Day School
08.2006 - 08.2014
Two Year Old Teacher
Stepping Stones Learning Center
12.2005 - 06.2006
Associate Of Applied Science - Early Childhood Education
Wor-Wic Community College