Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Rachel Malec

Buffalo,NY

Summary

Enthusiastic Educator who brings years of experience in early childhood education. Passionate about child development and learning. Diligent and adaptable in meeting individual student needs with warm, safe educational environments. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Friendly, outgoing and adaptable in approach. Excellent communication skills.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Lead Teacher Toddlers

Nardin Academy
08.2022 - Current
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
  • Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Maintained patience and level-headedness in diverse situations to support student development and personal growth.
  • Communicated frequently with parents about student growth and progress, recommending at-home reinforcement to support struggling students.
  • Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
  • Implemented creative ways to foster curiosity for complex principles through hands-on learning and planned activities.
  • Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
  • Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
  • Participated in parent teacher conference to discuss developments of students and increase support.

Camp Counselor

Nardin Academy
06.2021 - Current
  • Worked with children of varying age, interest, skill, and developmental levels.
  • Ensured camper safety by enforcing camp rules, supervising group activities, and responding promptly to incidents or concerns.
  • Led groups of children safely through variety of camp activities.
  • Acted as a positive role model, demonstrating strong leadership skills and exemplifying the camp''s core values.
  • Created and implemented appropriate "themed" weeks throughout camp.
  • Communicated with parents about campers' activities and reported concerns and suggestions to supervisor.
  • Participated in regular staff meetings to discuss strategies for improvement in areas such as programming, behavior management, and staff training.
  • Promoted camper growth through individualized attention, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities.
  • Maximized camper enjoyment by adapting programs to accommodate diverse interests and abilities.

Hostess

Buffalo Chophouse
06.2014 - Current
  • Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
  • Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, balancing responsibilities such as answering phone calls, greeting guests, and updating reservation logs simultaneously.
  • Greeted customers warmly upon arrival and provided friendly and warm presence throughout dining experience.
  • Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
  • Handled high-pressure situations with composure, effectively managing large parties or unexpected events during busy shifts.
  • Increased restaurant efficiency by maintaining an organized host stand, including menus, reservation logs, and seating charts.
  • Provided exceptional customer service by attentively listening to guest needs and promptly addressing any concerns or issues.
  • Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
  • Assisted in training new host staff, sharing best practices for maintaining a professional demeanor and efficient work habits.
  • Implemented table rotation system for optimal server workload distribution, resulting in improved service quality.
  • Maximized table turnover rates by monitoring dining room activity closely and anticipating when tables would become available for new parties.
  • Contributed to team success through effective communication and cooperation with coworkers and management.
  • Exhibited strong organizational skills by maintaining accurate records of guest preferences and feedback to help inform future improvements in service quality.
  • Ensured smooth transitions between shifts by maintaining detailed notes on table statuses, incoming reservations, and outstanding tasks for follow-up action.
  • Consistently upheld company standards and policies, contributing to a positive reputation for the establishment among guests and peers.
  • Collaborated with management to implement new strategies for improving restaurant efficiency and guest satisfaction.
  • Leveraged POS system to manage sales transactions, process credit cards and print receipts.
  • Participated in regular team meetings to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strategize for continued success in providing top-notch customer experiences.
  • Implemented improvements in reservation system management resulting in fewer scheduling conflicts or overbookings during high-volume periods.

Montessori Teacher

Nardin Academy
08.2020 - 08.2022
  • Prepared classroom and materials according to montessori pedagogy and needs of children.
  • Monitored and tracked children's progress on daily, weekly and monthly basis.
  • Conducted conferences to establish and maintain consistent and clear communication with parents.
  • Developed and implemented individualized learning plans, group lesson plans and classroom activities consistent with instructional guidelines.
  • Promoted a culture of collaboration, curiosity, empathy, respect within the classroom setting by modeling these values during interactions with students.
  • Contributed significantly to school-wide initiatives by participating in committees focused on curriculum development, assessment strategies, or special events planning.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Increased parental involvement in their child''s education by maintaining open communication channels and hosting parent-teacher conferences regularly.
  • Contributed positively to school community and fully supported school mission and goals.
  • Worked cooperatively with staff to provide training, support, guidance and constructive feedback.
  • Coordinated with other teachers to develop lesson plans focused on intellectual, emotional, and social development.
  • Boosted student independence and confidence through individualized lesson plans tailored to each child''s learning style.
  • Guided children to resolve disagreements and documented issues, incidents and behavior problems for appropriate follow-up.
  • Encouraged use of technology to support student learning.
  • Organized and supervised large and small group activities.

Montessori Substitute Teacher

Nardin Academy
09.2016 - 03.2020
  • Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
  • Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
  • Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
  • Developed strong rapport with students through consistent encouragement and support, fostering a positive learning atmosphere conducive to academic growth.
  • Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and research-based teaching strategies for continuous improvement in practice.

Created Montessori Toddler Program

Nardin Academy
08.2012 - 06.2013
  • Supported team members, fostering a positive work environment that promoted collaboration and open communication.
  • Through intensive study and team collaboration, created and implemented a toddler aged Montessori program.
  • Prepared classroom and materials according to montessori pedagogy and needs of children.
  • Monitored and tracked children's progress on daily, weekly and monthly basis.
  • Conducted conferences to establish and maintain consistent and clear communication with parents.
  • Developed and implemented individualized learning plans, group lesson plans and classroom activities consistent with instructional guidelines.
  • Promoted a culture of collaboration, curiosity, empathy, respect within the classroom setting by modeling these values during interactions with students.
  • Contributed significantly to school-wide initiatives by participating in committees focused on curriculum development, assessment strategies, or special events planning.
  • Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
  • Increased parental involvement in their child''s education by maintaining open communication channels and hosting parent-teacher conferences regularly.
  • Contributed positively to school community and fully supported school mission and goals.
  • Coordinated with other teachers to develop lesson plans focused on intellectual, emotional, and social development.
  • Enhanced student engagement by incorporating Montessori materials and hands-on activities into daily instruction.
  • Established inspiring classroom setting with systems and procedures that managed student behavior, movement and learning.
  • Collaborated effectively with fellow teachers to share best practices, resources, and ideas for continuous improvement of the curriculum. Completed intensive study and training achieving Montessori teaching certification.

Lead Preschool Teacher

Community Action Of Erie County
08.2008 - 06.2010
  • Promoted physical, academic, and social development by implementing diverse classroom and outside activities.
  • Assisted and supervised [Number] children through entire school day.
  • Established strong relationships with parents through regular communication regarding their child''s progress, fostering increased parental involvement in the educational process.
  • Conducted regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and areas of improvement, encouraging a collaborative approach to education.
  • Incorporated play-based learning opportunities into daily routines, allowing students to explore new concepts while developing critical thinking skills through hands-on experiences.
  • Utilized positive reinforcement techniques when addressing behavioral issues, maintaining a respectful and orderly classroom environment conducive to learning.
  • Utilized books, songs and games to engage students.
  • Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
  • Submitted weekly lesson plans.
  • Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop curriculum and share best practices, improving overall classroom effectiveness.
  • Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.
  • Mentored new educators on effective teaching strategies, contributing to their professional development and success in the classroom.
  • Planned educational opportunities based on children's interests.
  • Provided support for children with special needs or behavioral challenges, implementing personalized accommodations to promote inclusivity within the classroom setting.
  • Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
  • Attended professional development workshops regularly, staying up-to-date with current early childhood education trends and techniques for enhanced instruction quality.
  • Enhanced classroom efficiency by streamlining daily routines and procedures, saving valuable instructional time for academic learning opportunities.
  • Developed individualized lesson plans for each student, resulting in increased academic growth and understanding.
  • Organized engaging field trips for students that aligned with the curriculum, providing real-world connections to classroom learning.
  • Provided compassionate support during challenging situations, demonstrating empathy and understanding of each child''s unique struggles.
  • Assisted children in achieving milestones by implementing targeted therapies under professional supervision.

Education

No Degree - Liberal Arts And General Studies

Medaille College
Buffalo, NY

Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education

SUNY Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
01.2026

Birth To Three Years Montessori Certification -

North American Montessori Institute
Vancouver, WA
12.2014

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY
05.2008

High School Diploma -

Nardin Academy Highschool
Buffalo New York
06.2003

Skills

  • Childcare needs
  • Lesson Planning
  • Activity Planning
  • Classroom Management
  • Child Development
  • Parent-Teacher Communication
  • Parent-teacher collaboration
  • Lesson development
  • Safety awareness
  • Staff Development
  • Differentiated Instruction
  • Cultural Competency
  • Compliance understanding
  • Department planning
  • Behavior Management
  • Critical Thinking
  • Motivating students
  • Positive Role Model and Mentor
  • Classroom Instruction
  • Social-Emotional Learning training
  • Faculty Collaboration
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Public Speaking
  • Program Development
  • Positive Learning Environment
  • Positive Reinforcement
  • Social Development
  • Safety Protocols
  • Co-Teaching and Co-Planning

Additional Information

New York State Continuing Education Trainings (September 2022-Januart 2024)

Completed through New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Professional Development Center, Rockefeller College


  • Anti-Bias Education in Early Childhood (1.5 hour training)
  • Emergency Preparedness (1.5 hour training)
  • Early Intervention in Early Childhood (1.5 hour training)
  • NYS Mandated Reporter Training (2 hour training)
  • Foundation in Health and Safety in Early Childhood Education (5 hour training)
  • Building on Foundation of Health and Safety in Early Childhood Education (5 hour training)
  • Infant and Toddler Brain Development (1.5 hour training)



Timeline

Lead Teacher Toddlers

Nardin Academy
08.2022 - Current

Camp Counselor

Nardin Academy
06.2021 - Current

Montessori Teacher

Nardin Academy
08.2020 - 08.2022

Montessori Substitute Teacher

Nardin Academy
09.2016 - 03.2020

Hostess

Buffalo Chophouse
06.2014 - Current

Created Montessori Toddler Program

Nardin Academy
08.2012 - 06.2013

Lead Preschool Teacher

Community Action Of Erie County
08.2008 - 06.2010

No Degree - Liberal Arts And General Studies

Medaille College

Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education

SUNY Empire State College

Birth To Three Years Montessori Certification -

North American Montessori Institute

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education

Erie Community College

High School Diploma -

Nardin Academy Highschool

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Rachel Malec