Presley Leighton
Woburn,MA
Summary
Passionate educator with experience in curriculum design and development
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Early Childhood PM Day Camp Activity Director
Brookwood School
Manchester, MA
06.2026 - Current
- Designed and implemented developmentally appropriate programming for early childhood campers.
- Created hands-on learning experiences promoting creativity, exploration, collaboration, and social-emotional development.
- Supervised camp staff, ensuring daily programming aligned with developmental goals and camper engagement.
- Adapted activities to support diverse learning needs, fostering an inclusive environment that promoted participation and belonging.
Associate Preschool Teacher & Extended Day Teacher
Nashoba Brooks School
Concord, MA
08.2024 - 07.2026
- Collaborated with teaching teams to design and refine preschool curriculum, enhancing developmental appropriateness for children ages 3–5.
- Develop literacy-rich learning experiences integrating phonemic awareness, oral language, storytelling, and play-based exploration using the Heggerty curriculum.
- Facilitated engaging learning activities, promoting inquiry and creativity among diverse preschool students.
- Create engaging classroom experiences that encourage inquiry, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Observe and assess student learning to inform curriculum planning and differentiated instruction.
- Support inclusive educational practices through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Collaborated with parents to align educational support with children's needs, fostering their academic progress.
Afterschool Teacher | Teaching Assistant | Head Summer Counselor | Substitute Teacher
Belmont Day School
Belmont, MA
06.2021 - 06.2024
- Developed engaging educational programs for after-school and summer enrichment, enhancing student participation.
- Assisted in curriculum implementation across PreK–Grade 2 classrooms, ensuring alignment with educational standards.
- Facilitated guided reading groups and monitored student progress using instructional technology.
- Facilitated guided reading groups, utilizing instructional technology to track student progress and tailor instruction.
- Collaborated with faculty and administrators to support school programming and family engagement.
Education Research Assistant
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Conducted research on early childhood instructional methods and curriculum effectiveness.
- Analyzed qualitative and quantitative survey data to identify educational trends.
- Synthesized findings into recommendations that supported improvements in curriculum and instructional practices.
Assistant Infant/Toddler Teacher
Artisan Childcare Center
Woburn, MA
02.2019 - 12.2021
- Facilitated early language development through responsive caregiving and intentional interactions, enhancing communication skills.
- Collaborated with teaching teams to ensure seamless continuity of care and learning experiences for infants and toddlers.
- Developed and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum that supported growth and learning for infants and toddlers.
Education
Master of Education - Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA 05.2023 - 05.2024
Bachelor of Science - Human Development & Human Services, Education, Early Childhood & Child and Family Services
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA 08.2019 - 05.2023
Skills
- Curriculum Development
- Program design
- Inquiry-Based Learning
- Early Childhood Education
- Play-Based Learning
- Early Literacy
- Appropriate practices
- Educational Research
- Classroom Assessment
- Lesson design
- Observational Assessment
- Community engagement
- Peer Mentoring
- Team Teaching
- Curriculum development
- Classroom management
- Family engagement
Certification
- Responsive Classroom Institute (3-Day), 2025
- Open Circle Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum
- Mental Health First Aid
- CPR & First Aid (American Red Cross)
HONORS
- Kappa Delta Pi – International Honor Society in Education
- Dean's List & President's List
- Employee of the Month – Artisan Childcare Center
SELECTED CURRICULUM & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
- Kappa Delta Pi – International Honor Society in Education
- Dean's List & President's List
- Employee of the Month – Artisan Childcare Center
Timeline
Early Childhood PM Day Camp Activity Director
Brookwood School
06.2026 - Current
Associate Preschool Teacher & Extended Day Teacher
Nashoba Brooks School
08.2024 - 07.2026
Master of Education - Curriculum & Instruction, Early Childhood
Merrimack College
05.2023 - 05.2024
Education Research Assistant
Merrimack College
01.2022 - 01.2023
Afterschool Teacher | Teaching Assistant | Head Summer Counselor | Substitute Teacher
Belmont Day School
06.2021 - 06.2024
Bachelor of Science - Human Development & Human Services, Education, Early Childhood & Child and Family Services
Merrimack College
08.2019 - 05.2023
Assistant Infant/Toddler Teacher
Artisan Childcare Center
02.2019 - 12.2021