Leslie Lavardera
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Attentive and creative teacher, passionate about helping young children develop emotional, social and educational skills. Experience with developmentally appropriate activities and experienced by providing nurturing environments conducive to learning. Promote physical, emotional and social health to complement academic progress.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Preschool Teacher
Providence Childcare and Learning Center
Towson, MD
06.2016 - Current
- Developed curriculum to promote cognitive, social, and emotional growth.
- Created and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum addressing learning styles.
- Adapted instructional techniques according to student learning styles and progress.
- Assisted children in developing fine motor skills through play-based activities.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
- Established indoor and outdoor safe play environments for toddler-age children.
- Assisted in organizing field trips so students could experience hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom.
- Conducted classroom activities to stimulate physical, mental, and social development of preschool students.
- Instructed and assisted children in eating, toileting, and resting to help develop healthy personal habits.
- Incorporated music, art, games, books, blocks, puzzles into daily instruction.
- Integrated multicultural themes into instruction plans to foster respect for diversity among students.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills through problem solving activities.
- Taught children foundational skills in colors, shapes and letters.
- Controlled classroom environments with clearly outlined rules and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Encouraged children to be understanding of others, show good manners and instructed in other social development behaviors.
- Collaborated with colleagues on developing new classroom projects and monthly themes.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Communicated with parents regularly to maintain student progress, schedule meetings, and increase overall student happiness.
- Administered assessments throughout the year to gauge student understanding of content material. Conducted parent-teacher conferences to discuss academic progress of each student
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and caregivers.
- Maintained records of attendance, grades, health concerns, and other relevant information about the children in my care.
- Identified early signs of emotional and developmental problems in children to bring concerns to parents' attention.
- Facilitated group play activities that encouraged collaboration among students.
- Organized educational materials and resources to create an engaging learning environment.
- Provided individual attention to each student as needed during class time.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices for early childhood education.
- Provided safe and nurturing classroom environment for children.
Bartender/Server
Conrads Seafood Restaurant
Perry Hall, Maryland
01.2014 - Current
- Displayed enthusiasm and knowledge about restaurant's menu and products.
- Provided exceptional service to high volume of daily customers.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation and upselling techniques.
- Maintained knowledge of bar and menu options to prepare drinks and make food recommendations.
- Developed good working relationships with fellow employees through effective communication.
- Managed cash drawer at the end of each shift ensuring accuracy of funds received.
- Collaborated with team to provide seamless service flow.
- Effectively multitasked within fast-paced environment.
Assistant Teacher
St. John's Lutheran School
Glen Arm, MD
08.2014 - 05.2016
- Co-teach in the two year program at St
- John's Preschool
- In charge of helping with lesson planning as well as daily activities
- Creating new and fun sensory areas and projects
- Assisted teacher with enrichment activities and supervising classroom to foster positive learning environment
- Arranged age-appropriate activities to help children develop interests and talents.
- Successfully assisted in getting children potty trained
- Utilize my artistic background to creatively design bulletin boards, classroom walls, doors and projects
- Facilitate students involvement in crafts and encouraging them to engage and express themselves through artistic forms.
- Implemented lesson plans for students with varying learning styles.
- Provided individualized instruction to students who needed additional assistance.
- Communicated regularly with parents, teachers, and administrators regarding student progress and needs.
Full Time Nanny/ Childcare Provider
Richard and Lisa Kay
Glen Arm, MD
04.2006 - 05.2016
- Tended to children's general needs while providing supervision for safety in day-to-day activities.
- Having knowledge of the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children.
- Assisting with language acquisition and development
- Teaching letters, numbers, shapes and colors
- Engaged children in age-appropriate activities to encourage intellectual and motor skills development.
- Providing developmentally appropriate educational games
- Performed light housekeeping duties related to childcare such as laundry or meal preparation.
- Built strong relationships with families based on trust and communication.
- Monitored children's behavior, health and well-being as well as physical, emotional and mental development.
- Aided with bathing, dressing, teeth brushing, and diapering to promote healthy personal hygiene and good oral health.
- Cooked nutritious meals to promote healthy diet and nutrition.
- Encouraged safe, positive behavior by redirecting children to take positive action.
- Regulated children's schedules to balance rest, learning and play.
- Assisted children with completing homework and special assignments to improve academic performance.
- Planned age-appropriate activities to help foster physical, mental, and emotional development.
- Helped prepare meals for the children according to dietary guidelines set forth by parents or guardians.
- Read stories aloud to the children and engaged them in creative play activities.
- Transported children to school, extracurricular activities, and appointments when needed.
Education
Childcare/ Early Childhood Ed - Education
Essex Community College
Essex, MD04-2014
Cooking/ Baking - Baking and Pastry Arts
BIC
Baltimore05-2007
Art Therapy -
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY01-2002
High School Diploma -
Loch Raven High School
Baltimore, MD05-2001
Skills
- Certified in Early Childhood Education
- Child Development
- Classroom Organization
- Creative lesson plan development
- Positive Reinforcement
- Curriculum Planning/ Implementation
- Excellent classroom management
- Social-emotional learning
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- Special Needs Students
- Group and individual instruction
- Parent and teacher conferences
- Student assessment
- Flexible and adaptive
Certification
- 90 hour Early Childcare Certification
- Certificate of Completion: Developmental Delays
- Core of Knowledge: Special Needs
- Director Certification
- 15 credit hours yearly per MSDE program; Level Two
- Health and Safety Certification
- CPR certified
- Medication Administrator
Community Service
From 2010-2015, I helped at Carroll Manor Elementary school assisting in the classroom as a teachers aid and "Classroom Mom". Working with the students in reading as well as daily crafts. I assisted teachers with side work; making copies and laminating. I helped weekly in the lunch rooms and assisted transporting the children from the lunch room back to their classrooms.
2022- My children started attending St. Ursula School. I have spent many hours assisting and volunteering in the lunch room, with school activities and field trips. I have volunteered 50 + hours in the past two years.
Timeline
Preschool Teacher
Providence Childcare and Learning Center
06.2016 - Current
Assistant Teacher
St. John's Lutheran School
08.2014 - 05.2016
Bartender/Server
Conrads Seafood Restaurant
01.2014 - Current
Full Time Nanny/ Childcare Provider
Richard and Lisa Kay
04.2006 - 05.2016
Childcare/ Early Childhood Ed - Education
Essex Community College
Cooking/ Baking - Baking and Pastry Arts
BIC
Art Therapy -
Nazareth College
High School Diploma -
Loch Raven High School
- 90 hour Early Childcare Certification
- Certificate of Completion: Developmental Delays
- Core of Knowledge: Special Needs
- Director Certification
- 15 credit hours yearly per MSDE program; Level Two
- Health and Safety Certification
- CPR certified
- Medication Administrator
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