Nancy Cardenas
Santa Fe
Summary
Experienced lead teacher with solid background in educational settings several-year career. Highly observant and student-focused with expertise in promoting positive social development and physical health by empowering teachers. Involves families and administrators to boost student learning opportunities with solid support networks.
Skilled Lead Teacher offers expertise in administration, program management and compliance. Creates and implements lesson plans focused on cognition, language development and creative expression. Versed in curriculum, goals, objectives, and areas of child development.
Forward-thinking professional experienced working in educational settings. Focused on building connections with students to strengthen engagement and help students reach full potential. Knowledgeable about planning projects to diversify instruction, immerse students in subject material, and promote continuous skill-building.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
2029
2029
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
NM Pre-K Lead Teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
Santa Fe
10.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans for diverse student needs.
- Supervised classroom activities and maintained a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with parents to support student development and address concerns.
- Assessed student progress and adapted instructional methods as needed.
- Integrated technology into lessons to promote interactive learning opportunities.
- Involved parents in student learning to increase family interaction and student support.
NM Pre-K assistant teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
Santa Fe
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Assisted lead teacher in planning and implementing daily lesson plans.
- Supervised children during playtime to ensure safety and engagement.
- Organized classroom materials and supplies for various activities.
- Communicated effectively with parents regarding children's progress and behavior.
- Maintained a clean and organized learning environment for students.
Team Lead
La Petite Academy Inc.
Santa Fe
08.2020 - 08.2023
- Led daily team meetings to coordinate project tasks and priorities.
- Mentored junior team members on best practices and operational procedures.
- Reviewed workflow processes to identify areas for improvement and efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance project outcomes and communication.
- Developed training materials for onboarding new employees in operational roles.
- Monitored team performance and provided feedback to enhance productivity levels.
- Implemented new tools to streamline project management and task assignments.
- Facilitated problem-solving sessions to address challenges within the team dynamics.
- Provided leadership and guidance to team members, ensuring that tasks were completed on time and to a high standard.
- Trained new staff in relevant processes and procedures.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
- Monitored team progress and enforced deadlines.
- Assisted the manager in setting achievable goals for the team while monitoring progress towards them.
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives.
- Kept work areas clean, neat and free of safety hazards to maximize efficiency.
- Motivated and empowered team members to build customer satisfaction and loyalty to support retention and growth.
- Mentored newly hired employees on machine operations and implemented training on safety procedures to prevent injuries.
Toddler Lead Teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
Santa Fe
06.2008 - 08.2020
- Led classroom activities focusing on early childhood development and learning.
- Created engaging lesson plans based on developmental milestones and interests.
- Supervised daily routines ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for toddlers.
- Trained and mentored new teachers on best practices in early childhood education.
- Implemented assessment tools to monitor children's growth and learning development.
- Organized special events to enhance community involvement in the classroom experience.
- Maintained classroom materials, ensuring resources were accessible and organized.
- Enforced strict health standards including regular hand washing throughout the day and proper sanitation of toys before allowing use by other children.
- Maintained an organized classroom environment with designated learning centers for art, dramatic play, science discovery and math.
- Promoted healthy eating habits by introducing nutritious snacks throughout the day while encouraging children to make healthy food choices at meal times.
- Established clear expectations for children's behavior and reinforced those expectations verbally or with visual cues when necessary.
- Created individual portfolios for each student that included assessment data, samples of work and photographs.
- Provided first aid care when needed according to established protocols for minor injuries such as scrapes or falls.
- Developed and implemented age-appropriate activities to stimulate physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development of toddlers.
- Communicated regularly with parents via phone calls, emails or notes sent home about their child's academic progress and any concerns regarding their wellbeing at school.
- Prepared lesson plans based on weekly themes that incorporated literacy components such as reading books aloud or writing letters on magnetic boards.
- Incorporated music into everyday activities through singing songs or dancing together which encouraged creativity among the students.
- Organized circle time activities such as stories, songs, finger plays, group discussions. to encourage language development.
- Provided support with potty training and other daily living skills such as tooth brushing and hand washing routines.
- Facilitated outdoor playtime sessions that focused on gross motor skills such as running, jumping and throwing balls.
Lead Infant Room Teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
Albuquerque
08.2006 - 06.2008
- Designed engaging lesson plans tailored for infants' developmental needs.
- Supervised daily activities to ensure a safe learning environment for children.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss children's progress and developmental milestones.
- Trained and mentored new staff on classroom management techniques and policies.
- Implemented age-appropriate educational programs to foster cognitive development.
- Maintained accurate records of children's attendance and developmental assessments.
- Organized sensory play activities to enhance motor skills and creativity in infants.
- Coordinated with interdisciplinary teams to support children with special needs.
- Participated in parent-teacher conferences to discuss children's progress or challenges.
- Updated each child's log with important activities and discussed data with parents.
- Assisted with diaper changes, bottle feedings, nap times, meal times and other routines.
- Modeled appropriate behaviors while interacting with both adults and children.
- Attended staff meetings to discuss best practices for working with infants and toddlers.
- Maintained records of attendance, meals served and medications administered.
- Collaborated with colleagues to plan special events such as field trips or holiday parties.
- Kept adequate supplies on hand to meet each baby's needs and worked with parents to restock items.
- Responded promptly to any emergency situations that may arise during class time.
- Organized learning materials and resources within the classroom setting to promote creative play experiences for infants.
- Ensured that all safety standards were met at all times.
- Maintained accurate records of students' developmental milestones according to state regulations.
- Assessed program effectiveness through ongoing observation of student performance.
Education
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM 04.2016 - 12.2025
Mentorship - Early Childhood Education
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM 09.2021 - 12.2025
Child Development Certificate - Early Learning And Child Care
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM 01.2007 - 12.2012
Albuquerque High School
Albuquerque, New MexicoSkills
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Child assessment
- Parent communication
- Team collaboration
- Educational program development
- Safety protocols
- Activity organization
- SmartClassroom technology
- Activity planning
- Assessment strategies
- Compliance
- Family engagement
- Collaborative teaching
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Age-appropriate discipline
- Teacher coaching
- Training and mentoring
- Childcare requirements
- Department leadership
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
- One Year vocational 2010 CNM Albuquerque, NM
- NM Child Development Certificate CNM Albuquerque, NM 2010
- Child Development Certificate 2012 CNM Albuquerque, NM
- Associate degree ECME 2016 CNM Albuquerque, NM
- Mentorship certificate 2021 CNM
Accomplishments
- Teacher of the year 2010 La petite Academy
- Teacher of the year 2018 La Petite Academy
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
NM Pre-K Lead Teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
10.2024 - Current
NM Pre-K assistant teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
08.2023 - 10.2024
Mentorship - Early Childhood Education
Central New Mexico Community College
09.2021 - 12.2025
Team Lead
La Petite Academy Inc.
08.2020 - 08.2023
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Central New Mexico Community College
04.2016 - 12.2025
Toddler Lead Teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
06.2008 - 08.2020
Child Development Certificate - Early Learning And Child Care
Central New Mexico Community College
01.2007 - 12.2012
Lead Infant Room Teacher
La Petite Academy Inc.
08.2006 - 06.2008
Albuquerque High School