McKaylee Kidd
Forest City
Summary
Dedicated elementary educator with experience in general and special education settings, focused on fostering inclusive learning environments that support students' academic, social, and emotional growth. Skilled in delivering differentiated instruction, using formative assessments to guide and adjust instruction, and implementing social-emotional learning strategies and positive behavior supports. Known for building strong relationships with students and creating supportive classroom communities. Professional experience includes long-term substitute teaching and current work supporting preschool students with diverse developmental and learning needs.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher Assistant - Preschool Special Education
Forest City Elementary School
Forest City
01.2026 - Current
- Assist with IEP goals, accommodations, and individualized instruction through small-group and one-on-one support
- Collaborated with lead teacher to adapt lessons and activities, ensuring alignment with individual student needs and IEP goals
- Supported instruction and daily routines for preschool students with diverse developmental and learning needs
- Implement behavior supports and positive reinforcement systems to promote engagement and self-regulation
- Monitored and documented student progress through data collection and family communication, facilitating targeted interventions and support
Long-Term Substitute Teacher - 2nd Grade general education teacher and 1st/2nd grade special education teacher
Forest City Elementary School
Forest City
08.2025 - 12.2025
- Led small-group and individualized instruction in reading and math to support differentiated learning
- Provided tailored instructional support for students with diverse learning and behavioral needs to promote academic success
- Implemented accommodations and modifications aligned with student IEP goals
- Implemented behavior intervention strategies and positive reinforcement systems to foster a positive classroom environment
- Managed classroom routines and behavior expectations to enhance student engagement
- Used formative assessments to monitor student progress and guide instruction
- Delivered daily lessons aligned with district curriculum in literacy, math, science, and social studies
- Collaborated with grade-level teachers to support curriculum pacing and student academic and social development
Substitute Teacher
Forest City Elementary & Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Schools
Forest City/Garner
08.2024 - 04.2025
- Taught across K-6 classrooms and implemented district curriculum
- Maintained classroom expectations and routines
- Implemented lesson plans and adapted materials for diverse student needs
- Encouraged positive behavior among students through effective communication techniques
Education
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Waldorf University
Forest City, IAMaster's coursework - Social-Emotional Learning
Waldorf University
Forest City, IASkills
- deliver engaging whole and small group instruction with effective classroom management
- differentiated/data driven instruction
- use formative/summative assessments to guide instruction and monitor progress
- implement IEP accommodations and modifications
- reading and literacy instructional strategies
- integrate SEL strategies and positive behavior supports
- team collaboration
- adaptability and flexibility
- relationship building
Student Teaching Experience
- Forest City Elementary School District, Forest City, IA, 3rd grade, Amanda Geelan, Spring of 2024
- Taught lessons aligned to core curriculum, used formative assessments to guide instruction, incorporated manipulatives and chromebooks into lessons and activities, designed and taught lessons that are inclusive and beneficial to IEP students, led reading stations
- West Hancock Community School District, Britt, IA, 4th grade, Lori Eekhoff, Spring 2024
- Taught lessons aligned to core curriculum, created games and activities for a more hands-on and enjoyable learning experience, used summative and formative assessments to guide instruction, designed lessons and provided accommodations for ELL students
Practicum Experience
- Forest City Community School District, Forest City, IA, Intro to Teaching, 20 hours
- Forest City Community School District, Forest City, IA, Reading Diagnostics Clinical Experience, 50
- Hampton Dumont South Side Elementary School, Hampton, IA, Multicultural Practicum, 40
- Northwood Kensett Elementary School, Northwood, IA, Exceptional Learners course, 20
Accomplishments
- NSAA Scholar Athlete Award (2020-2023), Daktronics NAIA Women's Volleyball Scholar Athlete Award (2022, 2023), Waldorf Volleyball Most Improved Player Award (2021)
References
- Brad Jones, School Principal, Forest City Elementary School, 1405 W I Street, Forest City, IA, 50436, bjones@forestcityschools.org
- Heather Urbatsch, Preschool special education teacher, Forest City Elementary School, 1405 W I Street, Forest City, IA, 50436, hurbatsch@forestcity.k12.ia.us
- Amanda Geelan, 3rd grade teacher, Forest City Elementary School, 1405 W I Street, Forest City, IA, 50436, ageelan@forestcity.k12.ia.us
- Bri Ebenhoe, Professor, head volleyball coach, Waldorf College, 106 South 6th Street, Forest City, IA, 50436, Bri.Ebenhoe@waldorf.edu
Timeline
Teacher Assistant - Preschool Special Education
Forest City Elementary School
01.2026 - Current
Long-Term Substitute Teacher - 2nd Grade general education teacher and 1st/2nd grade special education teacher
Forest City Elementary School
08.2025 - 12.2025
Substitute Teacher
Forest City Elementary & Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Schools
08.2024 - 04.2025
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Waldorf University
Master's coursework - Social-Emotional Learning
Waldorf University