Rufaro Padmore
Harlem
Summary
Experienced educator dedicated to enhancing student development with a focus on instructional and behavioral support. Expertise in IEP compliance and designing interactive learning spaces for children of various ages. Aims to deliver tailored support that empowers students to reach their highest potential.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Teacher
Academy of Young Minds/ GERSH Academy
Queens
08.2025 - Current
- Assisted classroom teachers in lesson preparation and material organization.
- Supported student learning through individualized attention and tutoring sessions.
- Managed classroom activities to promote a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement educational strategies and curriculum plans.
- Developed engaging instructional materials to enhance student understanding of subjects.
- Monitored student behavior and provided guidance on social interactions.
- Participated in training sessions to improve teaching techniques and classroom management skills.
- Helped maintain a safe and orderly learning environment.
- Supervised small group activities.
- Assisted classroom teacher in developing and implementing lesson plans.
- Interacted positively with children to encourage development and involvement in activities, treating each child with dignity and respect.
- Collaborated with other staff members to ensure student success.
- Maintained safe, educational environment for students during learning and free play time.
1:1 School Aide
The Center School
Somerset
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Supported students with special needs during lessons and transitions.
- Assisted teachers in classroom management and student engagement activities.
- Supervised students during lunch, recess, and other school activities.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to promote positive interactions.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to develop tailored lesson plans.
- Offered students personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support.
- Maintained focused, inclusive, and supportive learning environments.
- Kept students safe in classroom and outside environments.
Infant Teacher
Apple Montessori Schools
Warren
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Established healthy routines such as naps, meals, and playtime, while ensuring consistency throughout the day.
- Collaborated effectively with other teachers, staff members, parents and guardians to ensure quality care for all infants.
- Demonstrated knowledge of child growth and development while establishing positive relationships with children and families.
- Developed and implemented age-appropriate activities to stimulate physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development of infants.
- Provided a safe environment for the children by adhering to all health and safety regulations.
Teacher in Training
Apple Montessori Schools
Warren
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Collaborated with other teachers to develop and implement innovative teaching methods.
- Integrated hands-on activities into lessons to increase student engagement.
- Motivated students by providing positive feedback and encouragement.
- Observed other experienced teachers' practices for improvement opportunities.
Assistant Store Manager
Forever 21
Bridgewater
04.2021 - 06.2022
- Resolved customer complaints efficiently while maintaining excellent customer service.
- Assisted customers with product selection, pricing, payment options and returns and exchanges.
- Managed all customer inquiries and complaints in a professional and timely manner.
- Built employee knowledge with training and mentoring.
- Assisted with training staff on all internal operational functions.
- Coached employees on customer service and selling techniques.
- Assisted in recruiting process, hiring and retaining top talent.
- Performed regular audits of merchandise displays and stock levels.
- Directed employee tasks and time management, improving customer experiences.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff to achieve sales targets.
- Held employees accountable and corrected issues to achieve high standards.
- Led floor sets following plan-o-grams to update store appearance.
- Tracked daily operational activities such as store expenses, payroll records.
Sales Associate
The Body Shop
Jersey City
05.2019 - 04.2021
- Greeted customers warmly and offered assistance.
- Kept work area clean, organized and free of clutter at all times.
- Assisted customers with product selection to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Performed cleaning tasks, keeping store neat and organized.
- Operated cash register to handle purchases for customers.
- Organized merchandise displays to promote higher levels of customer engagement.
- Engaged with guests to understand and anticipate customer service needs.
Sales Associate
The Body Shop
Queens
10.2017 - 08.2018
- Performed consultations with the skincare and body care products.
- Kept work area clean, organized and free of clutter at all times.
- Greeted customers warmly and offered assistance.
- Performed cleaning tasks, keeping store neat and organized.
- Assisted customers with product selection to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Operated cash register to handle purchases.
- Engaged with guests to understand and anticipate customer service needs.
Camp Counselor
Oasis Summer Camp
Brooklyn
07.2017 - 08.2017
- Showed leadership skills by motivating campers to participate in team building activities.
- Utilized patience and understanding when dealing with challenging behavior from campers.
- Displayed enthusiasm and commitment towards providing a fun learning experience for the kids.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while supervising large groups of children.
- Adapted quickly to changing schedules and expectations while working as part of a team.
- Developed strong organizational skills by planning and executing daily camp activities for a group of children aged 6-12.
- Remained calm in emergencies and stressful situations.
Education
High School Diploma -
Uncommon Charter High School
Brooklyn, NY06.2015
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - History
Queens College
Queens, NYSkills
- Activity Supervision
- Teacher Support
- Instructional support
- IEP compliance
- Documentation
- Educational assistance
- Special Education Support
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Planning
Certification
CPI, 05/01/20
Extracurricular Activities
Bravery Award
Leadership Roles
- Vice President, Caribbean Student Association at Queens College (CUNY), 2016-2017
- President, Black Student Union at Queens College (CUNY), 2018-2020
Timeline
Assistant Teacher
Academy of Young Minds/ GERSH Academy
08.2025 - Current
1:1 School Aide
The Center School
08.2023 - 10.2024
Infant Teacher
Apple Montessori Schools
01.2023 - 05.2023
Teacher in Training
Apple Montessori Schools
05.2022 - 01.2023
Assistant Store Manager
Forever 21
04.2021 - 06.2022
Sales Associate
The Body Shop
05.2019 - 04.2021
Sales Associate
The Body Shop
10.2017 - 08.2018
Camp Counselor
Oasis Summer Camp
07.2017 - 08.2017
High School Diploma -
Uncommon Charter High School
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - History
Queens College