Matthew Strahan

Student Support Specialist

MUW CPDC

09.2022 - Current

Led with increased responsibilities following our former Director's departure.
Excelled in the fast-paced, dynamic environment of the childcare center, making sound judgments along the way.
Cultivated connections and strong parent rapport to foster family engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and lead staff.
Facilitated parent-teacher conferences and communication to foster a strong partnership between families and the childcare center.
Promoted the inclusion of students with disabilities and families of diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Scaffolded instruction and classroom routines for special-needs students using various instructional techniques.
Conducted and managed assessments of students to determine individual needs including initiating services for children with possible developmental delays.
Guided the creation of and helped managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Directed as many as 25 student workers by conducting a thorough onboarding process, supervising scheduling and classroom assignments, collaborating with the lead teachers on classroom roles, providing targeted technical assistance, and much more.
Collaborated with lead teachers on how we can ensure their classrooms thrive with consistent and engaged student worker support, tailored adjustments for specific students, and maintaining consistent, positive communication with our families.
Boosted a steady stream of communication with families using the Brightwheel app.
Ensured our compliance with licensure requirements by consistently delivering daily reports to parents through the Brightwheel app.
Served as a first responder to accidents or incidents by calmly discerning the best path forward for the safety and wellbeing of our students.
Thrived as a lead teacher for over two months.
Guided our kitchen compliance by helping to maintain health and safety standards, complying with licensure and our CACFP food program, and cultivating our monthly menu by serving our children diverse and nutritious foods.
Directed the majority of our enrollment process for the 2023-24 school year. I initiated and maintained all communication with new families. I strategically ensured we had diverse classrooms because I understand children learn best when surrounded by a diverse set of peers.
Administered administrative tasks to keep us in compliance with licensure including initiating and leading the letter of suitability process with student workers, organizing the collection of all 121 immunization forms for staff and children, ensuring all onboarding and training is completed and documented, recording emergency drill data, etc.
Collaborated closely with the former Director in overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with state regulations and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for children aged 1-5.
Assisted in the development and implementation of age-appropriate curriculum, lesson plans, and activities that promote social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Conducted regular classroom observations and provided constructive feedback to student staff to support their professional growth.
Led administrative tasks such as scheduling, enrollment, and maintaining records to ensure efficient operation of the childcare program. Anytime someone is absent, it is my responsibility to decide the best path forward to maintain our high quality standard.
Enhanced the center in recruiting, training, and evaluating childcare staff, ensuring a qualified and dedicated team.
Collaborated with university resources and professionals to enhance the learning experience and address the diverse needs of children.
Oversaw payroll for a team of up to 30 members including benefited staff.
Informed families on how to apply for childcare assistance through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Contributed to the establishment of customized billing arrangements for our families in Brightwheel varied by the age of their child and their eligibility for a Mississippi childcare certificate.
Customized detailed portfolios for all enrolled children to track the advancement of developmental milestones.

Summary

Overview

Work History

Student Support Specialist

Student Worker

Education

Bachelor of Professional Studies -

Associate of Arts -

Skills

Certification

Accomplishments

Timeline

Student Support Specialist

Student Worker

Bachelor of Professional Studies -

Associate of Arts -

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