Sara Wilson
Alamogordo
Summary
Dedicated Early Childhood Education Professional with proven expertise in curriculum development and classroom management. Proficient in designing engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote positive learning environments. Recognized for effective collaboration with teams and adaptability to evolving educational needs.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead PreK Teacher
CHINS Child Development Center
07.2025 - Current
- Fostered a nurturing classroom environment that promoted social and emotional growth.
- Collaborated with parents to support children's learning and developmental needs.
- Mentored and trained new educators on classroom management techniques and best practices.
- Conducted assessments to track student progress and adapt instructional strategies accordingly.
- Organized family engagement events to enhance community involvement in children's education.
- Managed classroom resources and materials to ensure optimal learning experiences for students.
- Led professional development workshops to enhance teaching methodologies among staff members.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Organized extracurricular activities for students, promoting social-emotional growth and fostering a sense of community within the school.
- Implemented creative teaching methods to make lessons more engaging, leading to higher levels of student interest and participation.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating various learning styles and strategies in lesson planning.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum development and instructional best practices, contributing to a cohesive learning experience for students across grade levels.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Evaluated student progress through ongoing assessments, providing timely feedback and adjusting instruction as needed to ensure mastery of skills.
- Promoted early literacy skills by introducing age-appropriate reading materials and incorporating phonics instruction into daily lessons.
- Mentored new teachers in the Pre-K program, sharing insights and resources to help them succeed in their roles.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Regularly communicated with parents about their child''s progress, addressing concerns promptly and working together towards shared goals for academic success.
- Provided individualized support for students with diverse needs, adapting instruction to accommodate various learning styles and abilities.
- Developed a positive classroom environment by implementing effective classroom management techniques, fostering respect and collaboration among students.
- Continually updated knowledge on early childhood education trends and research findings, applying this information to improve the quality of instruction delivered to students.
- Increased parental involvement through regular communication, resulting in a stronger support system for student success.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Assisted and supervised 16 children through entire school day.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Increased student satisfaction by frequently communicating with students about needs and adapting lessons to interests and classroom progress.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
Lead PreK Teacher
The Children’s Garden
11.2024 - 07.2025
- Developed and implemented engaging curriculum aligned with developmental milestones.
- Led professional development workshops for fellow Pre-K teachers on topics such as integrating technology in the classroom or effective behavior management strategies, strengthening our team''s collective expertise in these areas.
- Developed strong relationships with each child under my care, recognizing their unique strengths and areas for growth while supporting their overall well-being at school.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Assisted and supervised 16 children through entire school day.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development.
- Fostered a nurturing classroom environment that promoted social and emotional growth.
- Collaborated with parents to support children's learning and developmental needs.
- Mentored and trained new educators on classroom management techniques and best practices.
- Conducted assessments to track student progress and adapt instructional strategies accordingly.
- Organized family engagement events to enhance community involvement in children's education.
- Managed classroom resources and materials to ensure optimal learning experiences for students.
- Led professional development workshops to enhance teaching methodologies among staff members.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Organized extracurricular activities for students, promoting social-emotional growth and fostering a sense of community within the school.
- Implemented creative teaching methods to make lessons more engaging, leading to higher levels of student interest and participation.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating various learning styles and strategies in lesson planning.
- Allowed for ample outdoor discovery time in schedule each day.
- Collaborated with colleagues on curriculum development and instructional best practices, contributing to a cohesive learning experience for students across grade levels.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Evaluated student progress through ongoing assessments, providing timely feedback and adjusting instruction as needed to ensure mastery of skills.
- Promoted early literacy skills by introducing age-appropriate reading materials and incorporating phonics instruction into daily lessons.
- Mentored new teachers in the Pre-K program, sharing insights and resources to help them succeed in their roles.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Regularly communicated with parents about their child''s progress, addressing concerns promptly and working together towards shared goals for academic success.
- Provided individualized support for students with diverse needs, adapting instruction to accommodate various learning styles and abilities.
- Developed a positive classroom environment by implementing effective classroom management techniques, fostering respect and collaboration among students.
- Continually updated knowledge on early childhood education trends and research findings, applying this information to improve the quality of instruction delivered to students.
- Increased parental involvement through regular communication, resulting in a stronger support system for student success.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Established positive relationships with students and families.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Implemented age-appropriate curricula to meet needs of young learners.
- Collaborated with teachers, parents and administrators to facilitate positive outcomes for students.
- Organized activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills such as letters and numbers.
- Helped new preschool children get used to classes by giving one-on-one support.
Center Director
CHINS Child Development Center
07.2025 - 01.2025
- Setting the overall tone of the Child Care center, including PreK classroom.
- Developed and maintained positive and respectful relationships with teaching, administrative, maintenance, cleaning, and kitchen staff.
- Overseeing the physical facilities including buildings, playgrounds, and buses.
- Maintaining compliance with all local, state, federal laws governing childcare.
- Managed basic childcare facility financial affairs
- Interviewing, orientating, and supervising staff and schedules.
- Managing the curriculum using the components of the NM PreK Authentic Observation Documentation and Curriculum Planning Process (AODCP).
- Conducted classroom observations to maintain NAEYC accreditation standards.
- Used the Pyramid Model to support teachers in their efforts to enhance social emotional competence in their classrooms.
- To create a warm and welcoming relationship with each family upon orientation and registering their child for care so that they are familiar with center policy’s and procedure.
- Responsible for overall management of the C.H.I.N.S. Child Development Centers, to include: Program planning and implementation, hiring, support, training and development and termination of staff.
- Ensure compliance with all programmatic, licensing, accreditation, and CHINS corporate requirements (personnel manual).
- Supervises Site Director Requirements (personnel manual).
- Works closely with school personnel to coordinate center needs with school needs.
- Supervises personnel's compliance with maintenance of buildings, grounds, and ensures that supplies and equipment are kept in good working condition.
- In cooperation with the Executive Director, prepares grant proposals relating to C.H.I.N.S. Child Development Centers.
- In cooperation with Executive director, prepares and monitors the program budget for Child Development Center.
- In cooperation with the Executive Director, and the Bookkeeper, prepares and submits payment vouchers, food reimbursement claims, and other financial forms as needed.
Peer Mentor
CHINS Child Development Center
01.2025 - Current
- Mentored children in social skills and emotional regulation to enhance personal development.
- Developed individualized learning plans to meet diverse needs of children in care.
- Facilitated group activities that promoted teamwork and communication among peers.
- Collaborated with staff to create a supportive environment conducive to learning and growth.
- Provided guidance to new mentors, ensuring effective support for children's developmental goals.
- Encouraged mentees to develop strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Promoted a sense of belonging among peers by fostering an inclusive atmosphere within the mentoring program''s activities and discussions.
- Served as a role model for fellow students, demonstrating effective communication and problem-solving skills.
- Enhanced peer understanding by providing one-on-one mentoring and support.
- Provided guidance to peers on academic and personal matters, promoting overall wellbeing.
- Shared resources, opportunities, and activities to support mentee's learning and development.
- Met mentee formally, informally, in-person and virtually to offer support.
- Led group sessions for mentees focused on various topics such as time management, study skills, and stress reduction techniques.
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to identify areas where peer mentors could provide additional support.
Lead PreK Teacher
HELP New Mexico
01.2023 - 11.2024
- Assisted and supervised 20 children through entire school day.
- Encouraged use of technology to support student learning.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Supported students in developing self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Developed innovative activities to engage young children in learning process.
- Developed and implemented engaging curriculum aligned with developmental milestones.
- Led professional development workshops for fellow Pre-K teachers on topics such as integrating technology in the classroom or effective behavior management strategies, strengthening our team''s collective expertise in these areas.
- Developed strong relationships with each child under my care, recognizing their unique strengths and areas for growth while supporting their overall well-being at school.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on educational development.
- Fostered a nurturing classroom environment that promoted social and emotional growth.
- Collaborated with parents to support children's learning and developmental needs.
- Conducted assessments to track student progress and adapt instructional strategies accordingly.
- Organized family engagement events to enhance community involvement in children's education.
- Managed classroom resources and materials to ensure optimal learning experiences for students.
- Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
- Organized extracurricular activities for students, promoting social-emotional growth and fostering a sense of community within the school.
- Implemented creative teaching methods to make lessons more engaging, leading to higher levels of student interest and participation.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
Center Director
CHINS Full House Child Development Center
07.2017 - 01.2021
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with state regulations and quality standards.
- Led staff training sessions to promote best practices in early childhood education and care.
- Fostered relationships with families, providing resources and support to enhance child well-being.
- Collaborated with community organizations to expand service offerings and improve program visibility.
- Mentored team members, promoting professional growth and creating a positive work environment.
- Oversaw daily operations, streamlining processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
- Increased staff productivity with regular training sessions, clear expectations, and constructive feedback.
- Collaborated with parents to enhance communication channels, strengthening the home-school partnership for improved student outcomes.
- Kept facility in compliance with all applicable standards and laws.
- Achieved accreditation requirements by ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Managed center budget for optimal resource allocation and financial stability.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, contributing to culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
Lead PreK Teacher and PreK Coordinator
CHINS Full House Child Development Center
09.2006 - 01.2017
- Developed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles and developmental needs.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment promoting social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to enhance student engagement and cooperation.
- Collaborated with parents and staff to create individualized education plans for students.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Enhanced students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills through project-based learning.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Toddler teacher
CHINS Full House Child Development Center
05.2004 - 06.2006
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans tailored to toddler developmental milestones.
- Fostered a nurturing environment to support emotional and social growth among children.
- Collaborated with parents to address individual child needs and progress updates.
- Monitored classroom activities to ensure safety and compliance with child development standards.
- Guided assistants in classroom management techniques and effective teaching strategies.
- Evaluated student progress through observational assessments and adjusted activities accordingly.
Education
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood
New Mexico State University
Alamogordo, NM12.2010
Associates of Science - Early Childhood Education Studies
Suny Empire State University
Alamogordo, NM10.2006
Skills
- Child supervision
- Parent-teacher communication
- Nutrition and health
- Creative teaching strategies
Accomplishments
- 2021 Infant Mental Health Endorsement
- 2021 CNM Mentorship Certificate
- 2021 N.M. Childcare Certificate
- 2019 National Administrator Credential
- 2018 Early Childhood Education Non-Licensure
- 2018 Circle of Security Training Eight Week Session
- 2017 New Mexico Returning Teacher Training/Powerful Interactions, Intentional Teacher Training, Six Hour Inclusion Training
- 2017 New Mexico Early Care, Education and Family Support Infant, Families Studies Certificate
- 2016 New Mexico Leadership Academy 1,2,3
- 2014 New Mexico Early Care, Education and Family Support Approved Early Childhood Program Administration Area of Specialization
- 2012 Employee of the Year
Timeline
Lead PreK Teacher
CHINS Child Development Center
07.2025 - Current
Center Director
CHINS Child Development Center
07.2025 - 01.2025
Peer Mentor
CHINS Child Development Center
01.2025 - Current
Lead PreK Teacher
The Children’s Garden
11.2024 - 07.2025
Lead PreK Teacher
HELP New Mexico
01.2023 - 11.2024
Center Director
CHINS Full House Child Development Center
07.2017 - 01.2021
Lead PreK Teacher and PreK Coordinator
CHINS Full House Child Development Center
09.2006 - 01.2017
Toddler teacher
CHINS Full House Child Development Center
05.2004 - 06.2006
Associates of Science - Early Childhood Education Studies
Suny Empire State University
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood
New Mexico State University