Melissa Edenfield
Stanford,IL
Summary
Proactive Child Development Specialist with extensive experience in creating age-appropriate goals and tailored activities for children with special needs. Skilled in data-driven instruction, promoting language and social-emotional growth, and developing individualized treatment plans. Committed to fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment for optimal child development.
Child development professional with extensive experience in fostering early childhood growth and development. Known for creating engaging educational programs that support children's emotional and cognitive development. Highly collaborative and results-focused, adaptable to evolving needs, and reliable in team dynamics. Proficient in child psychology and behavior management, with nurturing approach.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child Development Specialist
Katie's Kids Learning Center at the Links
01.2023 - Current
- Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children with special needs and developmental delays.
- Developed level-appropriate lessons and activities to support skill-building needs.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making processes to refine instructional practices and enhance student outcomes consistently.
- Promoted language development by incorporating storytelling, songs, and rhymes into daily routines.
- Encouraged social-emotional growth through modeling positive behaviors and fostering strong relationships between children and peers.
Behavior Technician
The Place: A Center for Children With Autism
10.2022 - 12.2022
- Worked as part of collaborative team to address changing needs of children and families.
- Facilitated social skills development in group settings, fostering improved peer interactions.
- Improved client communication skills through the use of evidence-based practices and techniques.
- Assisted in the creation of visual supports and schedules for clients, enhancing daily routines and transitions.
- Provided one-on-one support to clients with autism spectrum disorders, addressing unique behavioral needs.
- Enhanced client progress by implementing individualized behavior intervention plans.
- Collaborated with other professionals to develop and modify individualized treatment plans.
Lead Infant Room Teacher
Chesterbrook Academy Preschool
08.2022 - 10.2022
- Planned and executed appropriate schedule and activities for children each day, creating fun, engaging and exciting learning environment by singing songs and reading to children.
- Participated in ongoing professional development workshops focused on the latest research in early childhood education.
- Maintained confidentiality of children, family information and staff.
- Promoted language development by engaging in daily conversations and reading sessions with infants.
- Strengthened cognitive skills by introducing sensory experiences like soft music or tactile objects during playtime.
- Supported healthy social interactions between infants through guided playtime and group activities.
- Ensured safe and nurturing environment for infants by maintaining clean and organized spaces.
- Created and executed lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and assessed developmental needs of students to develop to fullest potential and achieve learning objectives.
- Maintained accurate records of each infant''s daily activities, meals, diaper changes, and other pertinent information for parent communication.
Lead Infant Teacher
Cadence Academy Preschool
04.2015 - 08.2022
- Promoted development of social, emotional, and communication skills in infants.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to create a cohesive curriculum that catered to the diverse needs of infants in the classroom.
- Managed inventory of classroom supplies, ensuring all necessary materials were readily available for planned activities and lessons.
- Boosted communication skills among infants through engaging storytelling and song sessions.
- Managed personal hygiene requirements with frequent diaper changes, use of bibs, and monitoring of behaviors.
- Improved cognitive abilities in infants by introducing foundational concepts like shapes, colors, numbers, and letters through interactive playtime sessions.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
Site Supervisor
Bloomington/Normal Y.M.C,A,
09.2007 - 04.2015
- Improved employee morale through consistent leadership support, fostering a positive working environment conducive to productivity.
- Supervised material usage and contractor man-hours to keep projects in line with budgetary restrictions.
- Trained new team members on site policies and procedures.
- Provided feedback to workers on job performance and safety procedures.
- Oversaw employee attendance record, handled payroll, and ordered new materials for sites.
- Resolved issues among team members to keep employees on task.
- Provided onsite training to help develop employee skills.
Education
Associate of Applied Science -
Heartland Community College
Normal, Il12-2025
High School Diploma -
Piqua High School
Piqua, Oh05-1993
Skills
- Classroom Management
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Play-Based Learning
- Lesson Planning
- Social Skills Training
- Sensory Integration
- Motor Skills Development
- Developmental assessments
- Communication techniques
- Language development
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Multitasking Abilities
Certification
- Child Development Associate (CDA) - Council for Professional Recognition.
- Infant, Toddler and Child CPR and First Aid - American Heart Association, 2023
Languages
American Sign Language - Baby signs
Elementary
Timeline
Child Development Specialist
Katie's Kids Learning Center at the Links
01.2023 - Current
Behavior Technician
The Place: A Center for Children With Autism
10.2022 - 12.2022
Lead Infant Room Teacher
Chesterbrook Academy Preschool
08.2022 - 10.2022
Lead Infant Teacher
Cadence Academy Preschool
04.2015 - 08.2022
Site Supervisor
Bloomington/Normal Y.M.C,A,
09.2007 - 04.2015
- Child Development Associate (CDA) - Council for Professional Recognition.
- Infant, Toddler and Child CPR and First Aid - American Heart Association, 2023
Associate of Applied Science -
Heartland Community College
High School Diploma -
Piqua High School
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