Maria Downs
Lee's Summit,MO
Summary
Dynamic PreK Teacher with a proven track record at All Around Child Care Center, adept at fostering child development through engaging lesson plans and effective parent-teacher communication. Skilled in conflict resolution and child supervision, I create inclusive environments that promote creativity and emotional growth, ensuring every child thrives in their learning journey.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
PreK Teacher
All Around Child Care Center
Overland Park
11.2023 - Current
- Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles.
- Orchestrated daily activities to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive development.
- Executed behavior management strategies to cultivate a positive classroom environment.
- Cultivated partnerships with parents to drive children's educational advancement and holistic development.
Paraprofessional
Our Lady of Presentation
Lee's Summit, MO
08.2022 - 10.2023
- Collaborated with educators to assess student progress and adapt instructional materials accordingly.
- Provided one-on-one support to students, enhancing their academic performance and social skills.
- Utilized educational technology tools to enhance lesson delivery and student interaction.
- Coordinated with parents and staff to address student concerns, fostering a supportive community atmosphere.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Improved classroom management by assisting teachers with behavioral interventions and monitoring student progress.
- Supervised students during non-instructional periods such as lunch, recess, or field trips, ensuring safety at all times.
- Enhanced student support by delivering one-on-one and small group assistance in various subjects.
- Fostered a positive learning environment by establishing strong rapport with students, parents, and faculty members.
- Supported special education teachers in implementing accommodations and modifications for students with diverse learning needs.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Implemented behavior management techniques effectively to maintain a structured learning environment conducive to student success.
- Promoted a respectful classroom culture by modeling appropriate behavior and reinforcing positive interactions among peers.
- Assisted in the collection and analysis of data on student performance, contributing to ongoing progress monitoring efforts.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop and implement individualized education plans for students with special needs.
- Supported school initiatives by participating in professional development opportunities and collaborating with colleagues on best practices for student growth and achievement.
- Assisted teachers in the development of engaging lesson materials aligned with curriculum standards for various subject areas.
- Reported on student progress, behavior, and social skills to parents.
- Assisted in the administration of standardized testing, ensuring accurate assessment of student performance levels.
- Improved classroom management with development of behavior modification plans.
- Coordinated with teachers to monitor student progress, identifying areas for improvement.
- Provided feedback to teachers on student progress, aiding in adjustment of teaching strategies.
Assistant Kindergarten Teacher
Hope Leadership Academy
Kansas City, MO
08.2017 - 05.2022
- Assisted lead teacher in developing and implementing engaging lesson plans.
- Facilitated classroom activities to promote social and emotional development among students.
- Supported individual student needs through tailored instruction and encouragement.
- Collaborated with team members to create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
- Communicated regularly with parents about student achievements and areas for improvement.
- Participated in professional development workshops to enhance teaching strategies and methodologies.
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication, supporting their involvement in their child''s education.
- Assisted in the assessment of student progress using various evaluation methods such as quizzes, observations, portfolios, and anecdotal records.
- Promoted social development and emotional well-being among students by incorporating cooperative learning activities into daily routines.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations and consistently enforcing rules and consequences.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop and implement cross-curricular projects, fostering a comprehensive learning environment.
- Ensured a safe learning environment for all students by closely monitoring play areas, managing allergies, and responding swiftly to emergencies as needed.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in early childhood education methodologies.
- Arranged parent-teacher conferences to address student progress and collaboratively set goals for areas of improvement.
- Teamed with other professionals to enhance student learning experiences.
- Collaborated in planning, organizing and implementing instructional programs to facilitate academic, intellectual, and social development.
- Encouraged and prepared students to become independent readers through systematic, multi-sensory instruction in phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
PreK Teacher
All Around Child Care Center
Overland Park, KS
09.2005 - 07.2017
- Developed engaging lesson plans that fostered cognitive and social development in young children.
- Implemented daily activities that encouraged creativity and physical coordination among preschoolers.
- Collaborated with parents to address individual student needs and enhance home-school connections.
- Facilitated classroom management strategies to maintain a positive learning environment.
- Mentored new teachers, providing guidance on curriculum delivery and classroom best practices.
- Evaluated children's progress through observations and assessments, tailoring instruction accordingly.
- Organized educational field trips that expanded children's learning experiences beyond the classroom.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Promoted social-emotional development with interactive lessons on empathy, conflict resolution, and self-regulation techniques.
- Fostered a love of learning among students by maintaining an energetic teaching style and incorporating creative, interactive elements into lessons.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional learning opportunities to remain current on best practices in early childhood education.
- Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication, enhancing family involvement in the educational process.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Evaluated student progress through formative and summative assessments, utilizing data-driven methods to inform instructional decisions.
Education
High School Diploma - General Studies
O’Hara High School
Kansas City, MOEarly Education
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KSSkills
- Music and movement
- Parent-teacher communication
- Child supervision
- Child development
- Cultural sensitivity
- Area of study instruction
- Student records management
- Conflict resolution techniques
Timeline
PreK Teacher
All Around Child Care Center
11.2023 - Current
Paraprofessional
Our Lady of Presentation
08.2022 - 10.2023
Assistant Kindergarten Teacher
Hope Leadership Academy
08.2017 - 05.2022
PreK Teacher
All Around Child Care Center
09.2005 - 07.2017
High School Diploma - General Studies
O’Hara High School
Early Education
Johnson County Community College