Laura Orr
Wichita,KS
Summary
Proactive Assistant Teacher/Director with extensive experience in classroom management, lesson planning, and student development. Improved team productivity and communication, fostering a safe and engaging learning environment. Skilled in mentoring, performance evaluations, and parent-teacher communication, bringing strong leadership and problem-solving abilities to advance educational excellence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Teacher/ Teacher
Primrose Schools Wichita West
08.2020 - Current
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Supervised recess, lunch and daily student intake and dismissal.
- Ensured a safe and supportive learning environment by enforcing classroom rules and addressing behavioral issues promptly.
- Completed daily reports, meal count sheets, and attendance logs.
- Taught math, literacy, STEAM, and thumb up, gross motor to Preschoolers and Pre Kindergarden.
Supervisor/Director E D P Peters Elementary
Union Public Schools
08.2019 - 04.2021
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Demonstrated commitment to the organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Mentored junior staff members in their career development, sharing knowledge from years of experience in the field.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and providing ongoing feedback to staff members.
- Implemented rewards and recognition program that significantly increased employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Maintained high safety standards to ensure secure workplace for all employees and visitors, and children in the school.
- Performed site evaluations, customer surveys and team audits.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new ways of implementing activities.
- Created agendas and communication materials for staff meetings.
- Improved operations by working with team members, children, and parents to find workable solutions.
Assistant Supervisor/Assistant Director Extended D
Union Public Schools
02.2013 - 08.2019
- Managed daily tasks, delegating responsibilities effectively to optimize team resources and meet deadlines.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Submitted documentation and reports to upper management.
- Worked with management team to implement proper division of responsibilities.
- Addressed employee concerns promptly and professionally, maintaining high levels of job satisfaction among team members.
- Earned a reputation of good attendance and hard worker.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new opportunities for the children.
- Worked to develop solutions and meet deadlines before they were due.
- Created agendas and communication materials for staff meetings.
- Handled all delegated tasks, finished in a timely manner.
- Helped with site evaluations and state licensing book. Helped with staff evaluations.
- Participated actively in all required trainings.
Director
Praise Academy Day Care Center
09.2002 - 05.2003
- 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.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Improved staff morale by optimizing workload to sustain work-life balance.
- Built strong network of outside referral sources within the community.
- Developed and supervised staff by providing orientation, training, support and direction.
- Developed organization's mission and vision statements for all employees.
- Managed daily operations by overseeing financials, and employee performable.
- Observed all employees to maintain standards within the day care field.
- Wrote and delivered all evaluations for staff.
- Worked with the state licensing to meet all requirements and paperwork on time.
Lead Teacher/Site Manager
SEK-CAP HeadStart
08.1997 - 05.2002
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
- Developed and implemented differentiated instruction strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased student engagement and success.
- Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.
- Conferred with parents about student progress to boost family involvement and enhance student support.
- Communicated frequently with parents about student growth and progress, recommending at-home reinforcement to support struggling students.
- Organized rooms in line with current educational thinking to maximize educational opportunities for students.
- Worked one-on-one with students and student teachers to increase overall classroom success.
- Implemented assessment tools that monitored student progress throughout the year, allowing for targeted interventions when needed to close achievement gaps.
- Guided assistant teacher and teaching aides in classroom management, leading by example and thoroughly answering questions.
- Designed lesson plans for teaching staff and worked closely with administration for compliance with state curricula.
- Organized field trips that enriched classroom learning experiences by connecting students with real-world applications of course concepts.
- Designed and executed project-based learning experiences, promoting teamwork, problem-solving skills, and real-world connections for students.
- Incorporated culturally responsive teaching practices into curriculum design and delivery models promoting inclusivity within the educational setting.
- Facilitated peer-to-peer learning opportunities within the classroom environment increasing collaboration among students and deepening understanding of material.
- Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
- Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
- Boosted cultural awareness by incorporating children's literature from world cultures.
- Conducted regular site meetings with team members, fostering open communication channels for efficient problem-solving and progress updates.
- Reduced safety incidents by conducting regular site inspections and enforcing strict adherence to safety protocols.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained new workers.
- Maintained records and logs of work performed and materials and equipment used.
Education
No Degree - Early Childhood Education
Independence Community College
Independence, KSNo Degree -
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KSCertificate - Administrative Assistant - Business
Independence Community College
Independence, KS05.1997
Associate of Applied Science - Miro Computer Technology
Independence Community College
Independence05.1997
High School Diploma -
Independence High School
Independence, KS05.1980
Skills
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Behavior Management
- Oral communication
- Small Group Instruction
- Art and music instruction
- Literacy development
- Physical education support
- Mathematics Instruction
- Science Instruction
- Classroom Management
- Team Teaching and Collaboration
- Lesson Planning
Timeline
Assistant Teacher/ Teacher
Primrose Schools Wichita West
08.2020 - Current
Supervisor/Director E D P Peters Elementary
Union Public Schools
08.2019 - 04.2021
Assistant Supervisor/Assistant Director Extended D
Union Public Schools
02.2013 - 08.2019
Director
Praise Academy Day Care Center
09.2002 - 05.2003
Lead Teacher/Site Manager
SEK-CAP HeadStart
08.1997 - 05.2002
No Degree - Early Childhood Education
Independence Community College
No Degree -
Pittsburg State University
Certificate - Administrative Assistant - Business
Independence Community College
Associate of Applied Science - Miro Computer Technology
Independence Community College
High School Diploma -
Independence High School
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