Sandi Polasek
Aurora
Summary
Dedicated Early Childhood Educator with a proven ability to lead inclusive preschool classrooms, fostering student growth and family engagement. Expertise in implementing tailored instructional strategies and individualized education plans, enhancing social-emotional development and school readiness for children with diverse needs.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Teacher / Facilitator
Aurora Public Schools
Aurora
01.2024 - Current
- Manage an inclusive district preschool classroom serving 16 children ages 4-5
- Support students with diverse developmental and learning disabilities through tailored instructional strategies
- Implement WOW, Bridges, and Haggerty curriculum to support early literacy, math, and school readiness
- Support and implement IEP goals through individualized instruction and classroom modifications
- Participate in IEP meetings and contribute to the development of individualized educational plans
- Complete TS GOLD (TSG) assessments and monitor student growth and developmental
- Supervise, support, and mentor assistant teachers and classroom staff
- Conduct parent-teacher conferences to foster strong family engagement and enhance student learning outcomes
Lead Teacher / Assistant Teacher / Substitute Teacher
Fisher Early Learning
01.2019 - Current
- Lead inclusive early childhood classrooms supporting children with diverse developmental and behavioral needs
- Developed engaging, developmentally appropriate curriculum centered on social-emotional growth and school readiness, fostering a positive learning environment
- Collaborated with families, therapists, and multidisciplinary teams to implement IEP goals and personalized supports, enhancing student progress
- Supported children through positive behavior guidance and Conscious Discipline strategies, promoting emotional regulation and classroom harmony
- Participated in classroom assessments, coaching, and quality improvement initiatives including CLASS and ECERS
Lead Inclusion Preschool Teacher
Sewall Child Development Center
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Led inclusive preschool classroom, fostering learning environment for children with and without disabilities
- Attended and contributed to IEP meetings, developing behavior plans and documenting progress for individualized student support
- Collaborated with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and special educators, engaging families to enhance student success
- Served as Lead Teacher for Extended School Year (ESY) programs in 2017 and 2018
Early Head Start Inclusion Teacher / Inclusion Preschool Teacher
Clayton Early Learning
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Developed and implemented curriculum and developmental activities tailored to children's individual learning goals, enhancing engagement and growth
- Delivered individualized support to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, fostering inclusive learning environments
- Performed developmental observations and partnered with specialists to identify interventions and referrals, ensuring timely support for children's needs
Early Head Start Inclusion Teacher
Catholic Charities
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Facilitated developmental and behavioral support for children in Early Head Start program, enhancing individualized learning experiences
- Collaborated with families to improve home-school communication and implement effective developmental support strategies
- Developed inclusive lesson plans for diverse student needs.
- Collaborated with parents to address individual student requirements.
- Implemented behavioral strategies to support positive classroom environments.
Lead Preschool Teacher
Arapahoe Community College
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Designed and executed preschool curriculum to enhance learning outcomes in a college laboratory school environment
- Cultivated positive classroom management strategies to promote inclusive learning experiences
- Developed engaging lesson plans to promote early childhood learning.
- Led classroom activities fostering social and emotional development.
- Collaborated with parents to support children’s educational progress.
Floating Teacher
Austin Community College Children's Lab School
01.2011 - 12.2014
- Facilitated learning in multiple classrooms for infants to preschool-aged children, enhancing educational experiences
- Contributed to curriculum implementation and classroom transitions while providing tailored support to individual students
- Facilitated engaging learning experiences for diverse age groups in early childhood education.
- Collaborated with teachers to implement curriculum and classroom management strategies.
- Supervised and supported children during activities, ensuring a safe environment.
Lead Toddler Teacher
University of Texas Child Development Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Led toddler classroom to foster developmental milestones, enhance language acquisition, and support social-emotional growth
- Communicated regularly with families to update on student development and daily progress
- Designed engaging lesson plans for toddlers to foster early learning.
- Supervised classroom activities, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss child development and progress.
Lead Toddler Teacher
Santa Ana Unified School District
01.2009 - 01.2010
State Funded Lead Preschool Teacher
Capistrano Unified School District Child Development Program
01.2001 - 12.2009
- Created inclusive curriculum and fostered family engagement through conferences and workshops
- Identified developmental delays and provided detailed observations for specialists and intervention teams
- Supported diverse learners in Title I school for eight years
Education
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
University of Denver
Denver, CO06-2026
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA01-2019
Early Childhood Preschool Certificate -
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CAEarly Childhood Infant Toddler Certificate -
Orange Coast College
Skills
- Inclusive Preschool & Early Childhood Education
- IEP Implementation & Documentation
- Behavior Support Plans
- Social-Emotional Development
- Conscious Discipline Strategies
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Family & Stakeholder Collaboration
- Classroom Management
- Reverse Mainstreaming
- Early Intervention Support
- DECA, ESI, ASQ & TS GOLD Assessments
- Ex
- ECERS, ITERS, CLASS & Qualistar
- SEE/ASL Communication Skills
Certifications And Professional Qualifications
- ECT Qualified - Colorado Shines Level 3
- First Aid & CPR Certified
- TS GOLD Interrater Reliable - Special Needs Preschool/Infant & Toddler
- Medication Administration Training
- Standard Precautions
- SIDS Training
- Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- FEMA Training
Professional Development
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Conference, 2023
- Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference, 2017-2023
- Pyramid Model Training, 2018
- Sensory Integration, 2018
- Touchpoints Training, 2016
- Conscious Discipline Training, 2015-2016
- Temple Grandin and the Autistic Child, 2013
- Risk Play Training
- Guidance Strategies with Infants and Toddlers
- Child Abuse Prevention
- Nutrition and Children
- Supervision & Sanitation Procedures
Timeline
Lead Teacher / Facilitator
Aurora Public Schools
01.2024 - Current
Lead Teacher / Assistant Teacher / Substitute Teacher
Fisher Early Learning
01.2019 - Current
Lead Inclusion Preschool Teacher
Sewall Child Development Center
01.2016 - 01.2018
Early Head Start Inclusion Teacher / Inclusion Preschool Teacher
Clayton Early Learning
01.2015 - 01.2016
Early Head Start Inclusion Teacher
Catholic Charities
01.2014 - 01.2015
Lead Preschool Teacher
Arapahoe Community College
01.2014 - 12.2014
Floating Teacher
Austin Community College Children's Lab School
01.2011 - 12.2014
Lead Toddler Teacher
University of Texas Child Development Center
01.2010 - 01.2011
Lead Toddler Teacher
Santa Ana Unified School District
01.2009 - 01.2010
State Funded Lead Preschool Teacher
Capistrano Unified School District Child Development Program
01.2001 - 12.2009
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
University of Denver
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
Hope International University
Early Childhood Preschool Certificate -
Orange Coast College
Early Childhood Infant Toddler Certificate -
Orange Coast College