OLIVIA WEST
Kellerton,IA
Summary
Dedicated educator focused on creating safe and inclusive learning environments. Adapts lessons to diverse student needs, fostering both social and academic growth through engaging activities. Strong background in early childhood development enhances ability to support children's individual learning journeys.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Daycare Teacher
Family Resource Center
Mount Ayr, IA
04.2023 - Current
- Support language development through talking, reading, singing, and play
- Assist toddlers with daily routines such as meals, diapering, potty training, handwashing, and naps
- Observe and document children's progress, behavior, and developmental milestones
- Encourage positive behavior, sharing, and social interaction using positive guidance techniques
- Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary classroom in compliance with health and safety regulations
- Follow daycare policies, state licensing regulations, and safety procedures
- Communicate regularly with parents/guardians about their child's daily activities, needs, and progress
- Respond promptly and appropriately to children's emotional and physical needs
- Collaborate with other teachers and staff to support classroom and center goals
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development
- Assist with classroom setup, materials preparation, and daily schedules
- Administer basic first aid and follow emergency procedures when necessary
- Maintained student records in accordance with state, federal, and company guidelines.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and redirected problematic actions with positive reinforcement or established discipline protocols.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to enhance programs and promote student success.
- Communicated effectively by being friendly and nurturing and building bonds with children.
- Developed emergency response plans and posted necessary safety and evacuation information.
- Encouraged children to navigate challenges independently and develop confidence and early learning abilities.
- Adhered to state and federal standards governing daycare environment and curriculum.
- Supervised children during activities to maintain safety and wellbeing.
- Built positive working relationships with team, modeling appropriate behavior for children.
- Implemented learning curriculum while creating fun, interactive experiences.
- Applied knowledge of early childhood development to evaluate student learning needs and promote growth.
- Cultivated welcoming learning environments rooted in exploring new concepts and building developmentally appropriate skills.
- Promoted self-esteem, independence, and respect with positive role-modeling.
- Kept parents informed of child's progress with detailed notes.
- Provided basic care for children by feeding, changing diapers and grooming.
- Delivered individual and small group instruction to meet individual needs of each child.
- Coordinated interactive activities to meet physical, emotional, and social needs of children.
- Followed licensing guidelines and company standards for daily care of children.
- Observed diet and nutritional restrictions for children with special needs.
- Created and assigned interactive lesson plans for basic early learning skills.
- Monitored children's progress and discussed challenges with parents and caregivers to foster open communication.
- Incorporated changing standards and objectives by revising and upgrading class plans.
- Trained children to address personal needs, manage outerwear and wash hands.
- Balanced schedules with mix of learning, free play and quiet periods.
- Detected and reported suspected cases of abuse to administration and authorities.
- Sought solutions to children's needs during parent meetings.
- Maintained positive learning environment with well-organized classrooms and content.
- Distributed meals and snacks to students following set schedule.
- Built children's social skills by modeling and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Identified learning and development issues and shared observations with parents.
- Organized field activities to stimulate social and emotional development.
- Incorporated different objects and resources to encourage learning and exploration.
- Encouraged age-appropriate advancements in children's learning and development.
- Adapted teaching methods and instructional materials to meet student needs and interests.
- Taught number and pattern recognition using drawings and symbols.
- Generated student reports covering attendance, learning and behavior.
- Enforced behavioral rules and class procedures to maintain order.
- Welcomed new students and focused on building positive relationships from day one.
- Helped children explore new ideas and concepts through hands-on learning.
- Educated children on colors and shapes with books and fun activities.
Babysitter
Mount Ayr, IA
01.2012 - Current
- Planned activities to inspire children's creativity.
- Followed children's schedules for meal, snack, and bed times.
- Assisted with diapering and bathing children.
- Planned age-appropriate activities to engage children.
- Maintained clean, neat, and sanitary conditions for children in parents' homes.
- Entertained children with fun, educational and physical activities.
- Fed children nutritious meals and snacks.
- Supported kids by learning personal routines, likes, and dislikes.
- Remained calm when dealing with injuries and emergencies.
- Babysat children while parents went on special trips and attended events.
- Organized and cleaned toys, games and play areas.
- Supervised children when playing in neighborhood parks.
- Organized playdates and social outings to encourage positive interactions among peers.
- Established bedtime routines that accommodated individual needs and preferences.
- Created safe and engaging environment to foster emotional and social growth.
- Collaborated with parents to establish and maintain consistent discipline and behavior guidelines.
- Encouraged children to express themselves through music, dance, and storytelling.
Office Administrator
Munyon Plumbing and Heating
Kellerton, IA
04.2022 - 02.2023
- Coordinated office operations and maintained organized filing systems.
- Managed schedules, appointments, and meetings.
- Processed incoming correspondence and directed inquiries to appropriate personnel.
- Monitored office supplies and initiated orders for replenishment.
- Assisted in payroll preparation and employee record management.
- Supported customer service efforts by addressing client inquiries promptly.
- Handled financial transactions using QuickBooks to ensure accurate bookkeeping.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth workflow across departments.
- Performed clerical duties such as photocopying, faxing and scanning documents.
- Answered incoming calls professionally and directed callers to appropriate personnel or department.
- Interacted professionally with customers and inside personnel, answering questions and responding to phone and email inquiries.
- Processed invoices on a timely basis according to established procedures.
Environmental Services Housekeeper
Ringgold County Hospital
Mount Ayr, IA
04.2022 - 12.2022
- Maintained organized storage, restocked supplies and safely handled hazardous chemicals.
- Used designated cleaning agents to maintain necessary levels of disinfection.
- Kept rooms fresh and patient-ready with regular trash removal, surface wipe-downs and supply replenishment.
- Utilized eco-friendly cleaning agents to maintain environmental standards.
- Participated in workshops on green cleaning techniques.
- Removed soiled linens from patient rooms and transported them to laundry facilities.
- Managed waste disposal according to state and federal regulations.
- Participated in regular training sessions to stay updated on new protocols or techniques.
- Utilized specialized equipment for deep cleaning and disinfection tasks.
- Communicated effectively with coworkers and supervisors regarding task assignments or concerns.
- Maintained inventory of cleaning supplies and equipment.
- Assisted with deep-cleaning projects on scheduled basis or as needed by supervisors.
- Operated cleaning equipment such as vacuums, floor machines, and carpet cleaners.
- Verified proper cleaning equipment function with frequent checks and tests.
- Disinfected high-touch surfaces to prevent spread of infections.
- Ensured clean and sanitary conditions in patient rooms and common areas.
- Assisted with floor cleaning, stripping and rewaxing.
- Followed proper procedures for handling biohazardous waste materials.
- Met strict requirements for medical environment cleanliness for public areas and procedure rooms.
- Swept mopped, vacuumed floors to ensure cleanliness and safety.
- Collaborated with healthcare staff to ensure patient comfort and safety.
- Stocked housekeeping carts with necessary supplies for daily tasks.
- Created and maintained clean, attractive and sanitary environment throughout facility.
- Adhered to all safety guidelines while working with hazardous materials or equipment.
Cashier
Caseys General Stores Inc
Mount Ayr, IA
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Offered customers information about upcoming promotions and available items.
- Gave customers full attention and attended to their needs.
- Provided information to customers on products or services.
- Addressed customer questions and complaints with professionalism.
- Kept clean, organized, and well-stocked checkout areas.
- Worked with supervisory team to meet customer needs.
- Balanced cash drawer at beginning and end of each shift.
- Informed customers of promotions and special offers to increase sales.
- Assisted in training new cashiers, sharing best practices.
- Handled returns and exchanges with focus on customer satisfaction.
- Balanced cash drawer at shift end with high accuracy rate.
- Managed cash register efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions.
- Supported store security measures by identifying fraudulent transactions.
- Contributed to team meetings with suggestions for improving checkout process.
- Collaborated with team members to meet sales targets.
- Processed customer payments using various methods including cash, cards, and mobile apps.
- Participated in inventory management, stocking shelves as needed.
- Assisted customers with product location and information, improving shopping satisfaction.
- Maintained confidentiality of customer transactions.
- Implemented upselling techniques to increase sales.
- Kept abreast of current promotions and store policies to inform customers.
- Resolved customer complaints with professionalism, ensuring customer loyalty.
- Followed all store policies regarding payment processing and cash handling.
- Ensured compliance with legal age restrictions on certain purchases.
- Managed queue effectively, reducing customer wait times.
- Maintained clean and orderly checkout areas to enhance customer experience.
- Provided quick and friendly service to all customers.
Lifeguard Instructor
City Of Mount Ayr
Mount Ayr, IA
05.2016 - 08.2019
- Fostered positive work environment that encouraged teamwork among staff members.
- Ensured proper maintenance and inventory of lifesaving equipment used during training sessions.
- Supervised day-to-day activities of assigned aquatic facilities.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to aquatics instruction or management.
- Assisted with hiring and scheduling of lifeguard staff.
- Liaised with local schools and organizations to promote swimming lessons and drowning prevention initiatives.
- Evaluated lifeguard performance during training sessions and provided constructive feedback.
- Responded effectively to emergencies by following established procedures and utilizing trained skills.
- Trained and certified lifeguards in first aid, CPR, and AED usage.
- Maintained accurate records of certifications, trainings, and evaluations for all lifeguards.
- Educated public about water safety through community outreach programs and events.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service when interacting with facility patrons.
Videographer
Self-employeed
Mount Ayr, Iowa
12.2023 - Current
- Captured high-quality video content for diverse projects and clients.
- Edited raw footage using industry-standard software for polished final production.
- Collaborated with clients to grasp vision and requirements for each project.
- Developed creative concepts and storyboards for various video assignments.
- Conducted interviews and gathered testimonials to enrich storytelling elements.
- Edited videos for optimized upload and distribution on social media platforms.
Education
Associate Of Sciences -
Southwestern Community College
Creston, IA05-2024
Associate Of Arts -
Southwestern Community College
Creston, IA05-2022
High School Diploma -
Mount Ayr Community High School
Mount Ayr, IA05-2021
Skills
- Emotionally supportive
- Team collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Schedule management
- QuickBooks operation
- Customer service
- Compliance knowledge
- Inventory management
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Child development expertise
- Classroom organization
- Child assessment
- Special needs support
- Planning
- Early childhood education
- Age-appropriate activities
- Lesson implementation
- Safety monitoring
- Activity planning
- Proven team leader
- First aid and CPR certified
- Excellent communication skills
- Storytelling and crafts
- Creative learning strategies
- Pupil supervision
- Active listener
- Language skills
Timeline
Videographer
Self-employeed
12.2023 - Current
Lead Daycare Teacher
Family Resource Center
04.2023 - Current
Office Administrator
Munyon Plumbing and Heating
04.2022 - 02.2023
Environmental Services Housekeeper
Ringgold County Hospital
04.2022 - 12.2022
Cashier
Caseys General Stores Inc
03.2018 - 10.2020
Lifeguard Instructor
City Of Mount Ayr
05.2016 - 08.2019
Babysitter
01.2012 - Current
Associate Of Sciences -
Southwestern Community College
Associate Of Arts -
Southwestern Community College
High School Diploma -
Mount Ayr Community High School