Laura Jean Lopata
Little Falls,NJ
Summary
My goal is to provide loving, fun, reliable, consistent care-giving with the focus on whole-child development while being always mindful of the parents' philosophy, preferences, and desires. I will honor my position, love and support them and their children, and protect them at all costs. The children's safety and well-being are top priority.
I love children and I believe I learn from them more than I teach. They are so wise in their innocence!
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Dance Teacher
Progressive Dance Studio
Englewood, NJ
09.2011 - 06.2020
- Taught Preschool to 17 yrs.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans designed to inspire the whole child while proficiently teaching technical skill.
- Created healthy and safe learning environment for all students by promoting mutual respect and encouragement.
- Choreographed and taught routines for recitals and performances.
- Utilized different styles of teaching to accommodate students of all capabilities, including special needs.
- Developed open relationships with parents to keep them informed of their child(ren)'s progress and address any questions and / or concerns.
Gymnastics Coach
U.S. Gymnastics
Leonia, NJ
09.2010 - 03.2020
- Taught Preschool through Adult classes. Beginner through Advanced. Competitive and Non-Competitive.
- Established a meaningful relationship with each child as an individual while skillfully managing the many different personalities in order for each child to have as much fun as possible as they built their skills.
- Designed and implemented a new Preschool Open-Gym program, which grew from a few children to 40+ and a second session within a year.
- Supported, encouraged, and uplifted gymnasts while providing excellent technical instruction.
- Developed lesson plans and routines for individual students to meet personal goals.
- Taught and managed full-day Summer / Holiday Camps, including arts and crafts, dance, water-play, fun and games, and special events.
- Maintained fun-filled atmosphere while remaining professional and focused on skill development.
- Trained new instructors on practices and guidelines.
Acro Dance Teacher
Alma Dance Studio
Cliffside Park, NJ
09.2018 - 03.2020
Gymnastics Coach
Flippin' Forward
Leonia, NJ
09.2018 - 03.2020
Preschool Gymnastics Coach
The Little Gym
Waldwick, NJ
09.2016 - 08.2019
- Worked with ages 4 months (with parent / caregiver) to 8 yrs old. Lots of singing, music, and movement.
- Established excellent relationships with both children and parents / caregivers, teaching the adults how to teach skills, and explaining benefits of each exercise.
Stay-at-Home MOM
My Children
Palisades Park, NJ
09.1999 - 09.2010
- Major success with Baby Sign Language, which has countless benefits, including decreased frustration, increased emotional intelligence, and early acquisition of reading and language skills.
- Learning through play, exploration and self-expression, validating feelings, reading and writing, music and movement, singing, art, science, and nature activities.
Preschool Teacher
KinderCare Learning Centers
Gainesville, FL
09.1994 - 05.1999
- Worked with infants - 6 yrs.
- Maintained loving, fun, well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Taught many kids to read and write, using both phonetics and whole-language, often to the amazement of parents who had made little progress on their own.
- Skilled at handling transitional times, often singing our way through them or making a game out of it.
- Utilized unconditional positive regard, learning through play, positive reinforcement, and redirection in order to maximize enjoyment and whole-child development.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL06.1994
Certified Gymnastics Coach -
USAIGC
Leonia, NJESL Certification -
Englewood Library
Englewood, NJSkills
- Baby Sign Language
- Success with working with hearing-impaired, ADHD, and autism spectrum children in both classroom and gymnastics / dance environments
- Some basic American Sign Language, including finger-spelling
- Teaching child yoga and breathing techniques
- Beginning acting and singing exercises / games
- Beginning swimming
- Science / Nature Activities
- Tailoring care-giving style to each individual child, even within same family
- Fostering communication, so parents and even youngest children can feel safe to express their wants and needs
- Anticipating and fulfilling wants and needs of children and parents
- Foreseeing possible predicaments and avoiding them
- Staying in the moment while thinking ahead
- Providing high energy and a calming force
- Implementing unconditional love, positive regard, and acceptance
Additional Information
I DO believe in science and am grateful that the Covid vaccine exists, but I have personal reasons for not getting it as of yet. I am super careful with safety measures and hand-washing.
Ideally, I am looking for $35/hr + health/dental benefits.
I am planning on getting CPR / AED / First Aid Infant / Child / Adult Certified.
Timeline
Acro Dance Teacher
Alma Dance Studio
09.2018 - 03.2020
Gymnastics Coach
Flippin' Forward
09.2018 - 03.2020
Preschool Gymnastics Coach
The Little Gym
09.2016 - 08.2019
Dance Teacher
Progressive Dance Studio
09.2011 - 06.2020
Gymnastics Coach
U.S. Gymnastics
09.2010 - 03.2020
Stay-at-Home MOM
My Children
09.1999 - 09.2010
Preschool Teacher
KinderCare Learning Centers
09.1994 - 05.1999
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Florida
Certified Gymnastics Coach -
USAIGC
ESL Certification -
Englewood Library
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