Michelle Smith-D'Onofrio
Bayville,NY
Summary
Attentive and creative Preschool Teacher passionate about helping young children develop emotional, social and educational skills. Familiar with developmentally appropriate activities and experienced by providing nurturing environments conducive to learning. Promote physical, emotional and social health to complement academic progress.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Preschool Teacher
Saint Gertrude's
Bayville, NY
08.2016 - Current
- Identified early signs of emotional and developmental problems in children to bring concerns to parents' attention.
- Integrated technology into lesson plans.
- Monitored student progress to ensure cooperation and growth.
- Incorporated music and art activities to encourage creativity and expression.
- Instructed and assisted children in eating, toileting to help develop healthy personal habits.
- Created and enforced child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
- Read stories to children and taught painting, drawing and crafts.
- Communicated with parents regularly to maintain student progress, schedule meetings and increase overall student happiness.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Conducted classroom activities to stimulate physical, mental, and social development of preschool students.
- Assisted in providing a safe and secure environment for children.
- Established positive relationships with parents and guardians by regularly communicating student progress.
- Maintained records of attendance, grades, health concerns, and other relevant information about the children in my care.
- Facilitated group play activities that encouraged collaboration among students.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills through problem solving activities.
- Supervised outdoor playtime while ensuring safety regulations were followed.
- Provided individual attention to each student as needed during class time.
- Led story time sessions designed to promote literacy skills among young learners.
- Administered assessments throughout the year to gauge student understanding of content material.
- Incorporated music, art, games, books, blocks, puzzles into daily instruction.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Zucker Hillside Hospital
Lakeville, NY
2003 - 2006
- Conducted assessments to identify client needs, interests, and abilities related to leisure activities.
- Developed programs that encouraged physical activity and provided social interaction with peers.
- Collaborated with other professionals including physicians, psychologists, nurses, teachers.
- Monitored client progress toward goals set by the treatment team.
- Ensured safety of all participants in therapeutic recreation activities.
- Provided crisis intervention when needed during recreational sessions or outings.
- Encouraged positive behavior changes through meaningful leisure experiences for clients.
- Participated in interdisciplinary meetings to discuss client progress.
- Organized and scheduled exercise programs and recreational activities to facilitate physical and emotional health of participants.
- Created documentation of patient treatment plans, change in treatment, progress and outcome evaluations to facilitate recordkeeping objectives.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Saint Mary's Childrens Hospital
Bayside, NY
1999 - 2003
- Developed and implemented individualized therapeutic recreation plans for clients.
- Conducted assessments to identify client needs, interests, and abilities related to leisure activities.
- Assisted in the development of policies and procedures regarding recreational programming.
- Provided direct supervision of clients during recreational activities.
- Organized special events such as holiday parties, dances, picnics.
- Maintained records of client participation in recreation programs and services.
- Collaborated with other professionals including physicians, psychologists, nurses, teachers.
- Monitored client progress toward goals set by the treatment team.
- Ensured safety of all participants in therapeutic recreation activities.
- Adapted existing activities to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- Evaluated effectiveness of therapeutic recreation program components.
- Participated in interdisciplinary meetings to discuss client progress.
- Planned therapeutic and recreation activities aligned with abilities, interests and therapy objectives.
- Organized and scheduled exercise programs and recreational activities to facilitate physical and emotional health of participants.
- Created documentation of patient treatment plans, change in treatment, progress and outcome evaluations to facilitate recordkeeping objectives.
- Conferred with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
- Assessed patients' physical, mental, emotional and social abilities to identify strengths and determine diagnoses.
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology
SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY01-1995
Kinesiology/ Adapted Movement Science
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Fayetteville, ARSkills
- Classroom Organization
- Activity Planning
- Classroom Management
- Student Records Management
Certification
Certified NYS Special Education Teacher
Timeline
Preschool Teacher
Saint Gertrude's
08.2016 - Current
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Zucker Hillside Hospital
2003 - 2006
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Saint Mary's Childrens Hospital
1999 - 2003
Master of Arts - Psychology
SUNY Stony Brook
Kinesiology/ Adapted Movement Science
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville