Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Maira Sharp

Marshalltown

Summary

Passionate educator with a talent for building relationships and creating positive environments. Skilled in effective communication and adaptable to various work settings. Committed to fostering a welcoming atmosphere and dedicated to continuous learning and skill development. Thrives on connecting with others and cultivating a sense of community, drawing on resilience from past challenges to drive determination and self-motivation. Currently serving as guardian for special needs brother, Mitchell, overseeing his care, goals, and financial responsibilities. Finds fulfillment in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families every day.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Early Childhood Programs Supervisor

Mid Iowa Community Action
05.2023 - Current
  • My job duties consist of many things including following HHS and IHSA guidelines as well as many funder guidelines. My role is to also hold staff accountable to follow these guidelines as well as any policy or procedure we have at MICA. I currently supervise 10 staff. I track all of their required trainings and make sure they are staying up to date. I conduct monthly supervisor checks, team meetings to help maintain clear and prompt communication, as well as staff professional development.
  • I collaborate with community partners like AEA and mental health as well as meet with families to best meet the needs of their child.
  • Part of my job consists of classroom coaching with the Head Start teachers. We focus on curriculum and teacher practice and help create and follow up on goals to be sure teachers are following through.
  • Since being in this position I have helped to reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and providing ongoing feedback to staff members.


Lead Teacher

MICA
08.2017 - 05.2023
  • My job duties consist of helping children gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed at home, school and the community. Some of out main goals are to promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of children. I encourage parent involvement in and out of the classroom by helping them choose four goals each quarter. We go over these goals during each home visit or conference and decide if we need to pick new ones or keep them the same. I keep track of these goals by entering observations into Teaching Strategies Gold. Teaching Strategies gold is also were I conduct my lesson plans in which I individualize. My lesson plans are also based off of the creative curriculum. As lead teacher I communicate and work with AEA mental health and a speech therapist weekly. We talk about certain children that may need extra help and possibly and IEP. I attend regular trainings and coaching meetings with my mentor. My job is to also supervise two staff members and conduct personal development plans for them quarterly. Other things that I am involved in with MICA is the Family Engagement Committee and I have also been invited to be on the All Staff day committee.

Lead Teacher

Bobcat Academy
08.2016 - 07.2017
  • Manage a classroom of 12-14 children
  • Keep a safe clean learning environment
  • Bathroom care
  • Work with assistant teacher as a team to give the children the best care possible
  • Communicate with families and other staff
  • Conduct lesson plans for preschool days
  • Conduct lesson plans for the entire school for non preschool days
  • Work with AEA and Speech to help children with special needs
  • Transport children with the school van from public school for the after school program
  • Transport children to and from field trips
  • Complete trainings in a timely manner

In Home Child Care

Self Own Business
05.2013 - 07.2016
  • My job duties consisted of not only creating a healthy, loving, educational environment for children aged 0-10 but managing payments, documents, and tax information for myself. In my home while caring for these children we did many activities to help them learn, played outside, and had themed days/weeks. These children learned a lot through play by building relationships and strengthening their social emotional skills. We had a consistent schedule that included time for indoor and outdoor activities, 2 meals and 2 snacks each day as well as nap time. I had to communicate with families daily and update them on anything that happened.For the babies I kept a feeding and diaper changing chart and for the ones that were working on potty training, they had a sticker chart. My job was to also enforce sick policies as well as attendance. These parents also knew I am a mandatory reporter.

Para Educator Special Education

Marshalltown Community School District
08.2012 - 04.2013
  • During my time working as a para educator I worked in the BD room one on one with a student. My duties were to go to class with with this child and hold him accountable for his work. When off task I would redirect him back to his home room where he could work independently to get his school work accomplished. My job was to notice the signs and if his behavior was going to get out of hand. Also if he looked frustrated to help him take a break. During this time I also built many strong relationships with other children in that room. They felt comfortable talking to me and many times I was able to help calm them down and help them feel motivated to get their work done. Unfortunately I had bought a house out of town and had to move and change jobs.

Education

Bachelor's - Early Childhood Education

Kaplan University
Marshalltown, IA
06.2016

Associate - General Education

Marshalltown Community College
Marshalltown, IA
11.2013

Skills

  • CPR/First Aid
  • Universal Precautions
  • Customer Service (10 years)
  • Special Needs
  • Curriculum Development
  • Classroom Management
  • Experience with Children of all ages
  • Writing Skills
  • Behavior Management
  • Staff management
  • CLASS Certified
  • Training and mentoring

Certification

  • CPR/First Aid August 2017 to August 2019
  • Mandated Reporter Training
  • Bloodborne Pathogens Training February 2020 to 2021
  • Fire Safety
  • Conscious Discipline Present

Timeline

Early Childhood Programs Supervisor

Mid Iowa Community Action
05.2023 - Current

Lead Teacher

MICA
08.2017 - 05.2023

Lead Teacher

Bobcat Academy
08.2016 - 07.2017

In Home Child Care

Self Own Business
05.2013 - 07.2016

Para Educator Special Education

Marshalltown Community School District
08.2012 - 04.2013

Associate - General Education

Marshalltown Community College

Bachelor's - Early Childhood Education

Kaplan University

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Maira Sharp