Monica LIGHTFOOT
Capitol Heights,MD
Summary
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Childhood Educator
Joy In Learning Child Care Centers
07.2021 - Current
- Supported children with special needs, creating customized learning strategies to accommodate various abilities.
- Maintained and fostered positive and constructive interactions with staff, families, and children.
- Boosted children''s social skills development through group projects and collaborative games.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Communicated with parents and other staff about student progress.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Cultivated safe and inclusive classroom environment that fostered respect, empathy, and cultural awareness among students.
- Fostered creativity in classroom through art projects, dramatic play, storytelling exercises, and other imaginative pursuits.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
Direct Support Specialist
United Community Support Of Maryland
09.2017 - 11.2018
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within field of direct support services.
- Delivered comprehensive, client-focused care by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of each individual''s specific health concerns and modifying support strategies accordingly.
- Effectively communicated with clients using various methods including verbal prompts, visual cues, or assistive technology devices as needed.
- Administered medication to clients according to prescribed schedules, ensuring proper dosage and adherence to guidelines.
- Utilized effective time management skills to balance competing priorities and ensure all clients received consistent, high-quality support.
- Coordinated transportation arrangements for clients both independently or utilizing agency-provided vehicles as needed for appointments or outings.
- Assisted with daily living activities such as meal preparation, personal hygiene, and housekeeping tasks, promoting self-sufficiency when possible.
- Increased client safety through continuous assessment of potential risks within home environment and implementing preventative measures accordingly.
- Improved client satisfaction by providing personalized care and support tailored to individual needs.
- Promoted independence among clients by teaching essential life skills and offering consistent encouragement.
- Enhanced quality of life for clients through implementation of engaging activities and social interactions.
- Actively listened to clients'' concerns and input regarding their care plans, incorporating feedback into service modifications when appropriate.
- Supported families in understanding their loved ones'' abilities and needs, providing resources for additional assistance when required.
- Facilitated community integration for clients by accompanying them to various events and outings, fostering social connections.
- Served as an advocate for clients during interactions with external providers or agencies ensuring fair treatment and access to necessary resources or accommodations.
- Maintained detailed records of client progress, sharing updates with relevant parties during regular meetings.
- Contributed to positive team dynamic among fellow Direct Support Specialists through open communication, collaboration, and sharing best practices.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive care plans addressing clients'' unique requirements.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
- Respect the client's diversity of ethnicity and religion .
Preschool Teacher
Super Kid's Clubhouse
04.2016 - 05.2018
- Developed strong relationships with parents and caregivers, providing regular updates on their child''s progress and addressing any concerns proactively.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Made available safe and nurturing environment for all students, adhering to health and safety guidelines in the classroom.
- Designed creative lesson plans that incorporated hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences to foster curiosity and engagement in young learners.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Assisted in creating safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Residential Care Aide
Humility Outreach
02.2013 - 05.2016
- Planned, prepared, and served meals and snacks according to prescribed diets.
- Documented residents' mental status, sleep, and eating patterns in medical record books.
- Recognized and reported abnormalities or changes in patients' health status to case manager.
- Remained alert to problems or health issues of clients and competently responded.
- Monitored and assisted residents through individual service plans.
- Recorded temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration rate as directed by medical or nursing staff.
- Determined specific needs and provided most appropriate level of services for patient well-being.
- Scheduling appointments, speaking with case workers, making sure clients are attending necessary meetings throughout the community at least everyday.
- Supported needs of 8+ residents under long-term care.
- Handled emergency situations calmly and efficiently while following established protocols for crisis interventions or medical emergencies.
- Maintained detailed documentation of resident observations, behaviors, and progress toward goals.
- Documented patient information and care activities in electronic health record.
- Facilitated smooth communication between residents, family members, and healthcare professionals by serving as a liaison.
- Be the point of contact for the case mangers, substance abuse therapist and doctors.
Dental Receptionist
Adventure Dental And Vision
09.2009 - 06.2011
- Scheduled, rescheduled, and cancelled appointments for dental patients.
- Answered telephone calls to offer office information, answer questions, and direct calls to staff.
- Provided excellent customer service by promptly addressing patient inquiries via phone, email, or in-person interactions.
- Provided excellent customer service to create positive experiences and build patient trust.
- Communicated with insurance companies to dispute unpaid claims and verify patient coverage.
- Handled sensitive situations professionally such as discussing treatment costs or past-due account balances with patients to ensure a satisfactory resolution.
- Helped patients complete necessary medical forms and documentation.
- Improved billing accuracy by diligently verifying insurance coverage and updating patient financial records accordingly.
- Facilitated clear communication between dentists, dental assistants, and patients to ensure optimal care coordination.
- Promoted positive work environment by fostering strong relationships with colleagues across all roles within the practice.
- Greeted visitors and patients to determine needs, check appointments, and direct accordingly.
- Enhanced patient satisfaction by efficiently managing appointment scheduling and confirmations.
- Answered phone calls and messages for 6-physician Dental medical facility, scheduling appointments, and handling patient inquiries.
Childcare Center Assistant Director
Skies The Limit
11.2000 - 08.2004
- Increased enrollment rates through targeted marketing efforts and community outreach initiatives.
- Continuously sought professional development opportunities for staff members to stay current on best practices in early childhood education.
- Promoted positive learning environment with engaging activities, fostering emotional growth and social development.
- Enhanced parent satisfaction by implementing efficient communication strategies and regular updates on child progress.
- Coordinated special events such as holiday celebrations or family nights, creating memorable experiences for children and their families.
- Championed exclusivity and diversity within the center, creating an environment that embraced all children and celebrated their unique qualities.
- Led team meetings to discuss challenges, share best practices, and set goals for continuous improvement.
- Implemented data-driven assessment tools to monitor student progress, adjusting curriculum plans accordingly to maximize learning potential effectively.
- Streamlined daily operations for improved efficiency by optimizing staff scheduling and resource allocation.
- Consistently met licensing requirements by staying up-to-date with state regulations and implementing appropriate policies and procedures.
- Oversaw daily administrative tasks such as managing attendance records, processing tuition payments, and maintaining student files in compliance with regulations.
- Partnered with local organizations to secure resources or services beneficial to the center''s operations or educational offerings.
- Assisted in hiring, training, and mentoring new staff members, fostering a supportive work environment that encouraged professional growth.
- Evaluated educational materials regularly to ensure they remained current, relevant, and age-appropriate for students'' needs.
- Served as a liaison between teachers, parents, administration, ensuring clear lines of communication about student progress or any issues that arose during the course of care provision at the childcare center.
- Collaborated with team members to develop comprehensive educational programs tailored to individual student needs.
- Operated under licensing guidelines to protect health, safety and well-being of children.
- Managed program paperwork and child records to comply with state requirements.
- Recruited, selected, and retained high-quality staff to reduce turnover and foster stability.
- Supervised and managed team of childcare professionals to guarantee highest standards of care.
- Engaged with parents and families to build positive relationships for children to thrive.
- Evaluated staff and offered guidance to enhance knowledge, skills, and professional development to optimize learning environment.
- Attended approved training and continuing education courses to maintain certifications.
- Monitored and observed child progress, interactions and behavior and reported findings to parents.
- Furnished facility with supplies, equipment, food and materials to foster social and cognitive development.
- Planned and monitored curriculum and program activities and liaised with teachers to create fun and engaging learning experiences.
- Resolved conflicts and administered corrective action to foster positive experience for children and staff.
Education
No Degree - Early Childhood Education
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VASkills
- Classroom Management
- Documentation and Record Keeping
- Parent-Teacher Communication
- Lesson Planning
- Individualized support
- Goal Setting
- Coordinating schedules
- Collaborative and Team-Oriented
- Problem-Solving
- Child CPR and First Aid
- Organizational and Planning Skills
- Strong Work Ethic and Dependable
- Communicating with Parents and Teachers
- Documentation And Reporting
- Emotional Support and Development
- Safety Monitoring and Management
- Curriculum Implementation
Timeline
Early Childhood Educator
Joy In Learning Child Care Centers
07.2021 - Current
Direct Support Specialist
United Community Support Of Maryland
09.2017 - 11.2018
Preschool Teacher
Super Kid's Clubhouse
04.2016 - 05.2018
Residential Care Aide
Humility Outreach
02.2013 - 05.2016
Dental Receptionist
Adventure Dental And Vision
09.2009 - 06.2011
Childcare Center Assistant Director
Skies The Limit
11.2000 - 08.2004
No Degree - Early Childhood Education
Northern Virginia Community College
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