SHELA SINELIEN-JULES
South Easton,MA
Summary
Experienced co-founder/CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the primary and secondary education industry. Skilled in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Development, event planning, family involvement activities, Teacher Training, and Special Education. Strong business development for high productivity and efficient task completion. Skilled in strategic planning, financial management, and team leadership. Excel in communication, decision-making, and problem-solving to drive company success. Committed to innovation and growth through effective leadership. Professional with a Master of Science focused on Early Childhood Education from Boston University.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CEO/President
Sapling Explorers Early Learning Program
Medfield, MA
03.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement strategic business plans to increase company profitability.
- Create and maintain relationships with site partners, including customers, suppliers, EEC licensors, state municipalities, and other industry partners.
- Oversees the daily operations of the organization and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Hire, train, and mentor staff members to maximize productivity.
- Analyze market trends and customer data to inform decision-making processes.
- Complete day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials are available when needed.
- Work with landlords to obtain building certificates, fire inspections, and lead inspection reports to launch the program.
- Work with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to obtain a license to operate.
Co-Founder and Director of Programs and Education
Boston Outdoor School Network
Roslindale, MA
01.2019 - Current
- I founded the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network (BOPN) because I believe that learning and playing in nature are important for healthy child development. At BOPN, we are committed to nature immersion, inquiry-based teaching, and play.
- BOPN is a highly successful nature-based education program that serves toddlers through pre-K students in a variety of formats (e.g., half-day, full-day, and enrichment programs). This program experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a single location to eight thriving, but small and focused, locations in just five and a half years. This expansion required strong organizational leadership and strategic planning capabilities to meet the rapid growth in our operational footprint and scale.
- Oversee operations serving 200 children, manage a team of 50 to 60 staff members, and supervise 30-35 student interns or externs. But my responsibilities extend organization-wide, as I manage EEC licensing compliance across all locations, and serve as the primary liaison with the Department of Early Education and Care in both launching and maintaining site compliance. This experience has been formative in giving me the confidence and proven ability to launch and run a network of programs.
- Onboard all new teaching and administrative staff to confirm they have a thorough understanding of all EEC regulations for both group and family care programs, and become familiar with the culture and community of BOPN.
- Assume daily management of a center/school on a temporary basis.
- Serve as a positive representative of the organization for each site in transitional situations: acquisitions, new center openings, director changes, maternity leaves, etc.
Establish positive relationships with staff, families, and children. - As issues arise, evaluate each situation, problem-solve, and create individualized goals and solutions within an established time frame, while keeping the executive director abreast of the situation.
- Provide clarification, guidance, and oversight of all center directors on BOPN's policies, procedures, and philosophies. Frequent visits to licensed BOPN sites on a weekly or monthly basis. Supervise the entire BOPN educator community to ensure that all health, safety, and licensing guidelines/regulations are upheld, confirm all inspections are current, including health, building, and licensing, in a timely manner, and perform routine and unannounced site visits to maintain compliance.
- Licensee to current and new BOPN sites, and be able to establish a relationship with each licensor for each site.
EEC orientation and communication to all BOPN sites to ensure fluidity, and all BOPN sites are following the same policies. - Audit onboarding paperwork for all staff across all BOPN sites.
- Audit all children's files across BOPN sites to ensure they are in compliance with EEC regulations, and ensure all sites have a plan of action for locating the paperwork for licensing purposes.
- Perform BRC for all BOPN employees, volunteers, and interns in a timely manner before beginning to teach in the classroom.
- Working with Nicole C to make sure teachers are enrolled in Child Development to get EEC licensed and/or any other classes to help teachers reach their goals.
- Provide resources to help teachers enroll in the correct first aid and CPR course that meets EEC's requirements.
- Train teachers/directors on how to conduct announced/unannounced visits from the state licensors. Be in partnership with EEC licensors and work with each site licensor for the benefit of the program.
- Provide clarifications and guidance to site directors to notify Shela when there's a site visit that leads to a non-compliance, so I can be in contact with the site licensor to make corrections and submit the necessary corrections to the lead portal before the 14-day time frame.
- Support all fundraising efforts for BOPN (MHS families donated about $34,000 to support BOPN's mission).
- FCC program: Onboarding and helping teachers apply for regular assistant or certified assistant licenses for (6), (8), and (10).
- Be in communication with licensors who certified regular assistants.
- Be in communication with Delford St FCC licensor to ensure all household members and regular on-premises BRC are processed in a timely manner.
- Ensure all new certified teachers are added to the 'Shela Sinelien' program on the EEC Lead Portal.
- Ensure household residents and fellows understand EEC regulations to keep the house in compliance.
- Renews all BOPN licenses through the Department of Early Education and Care LEAD portal in a timely manner.
Intensive-Integrated Special Education Teacher
Cambridge Public Schools
Cambridge, MA
11.2015 - 03.2021
- Collaborate with colleagues to teach a class of 14 children, including 7 with severe disabilities.
- writes Individualized Education Program (IEP) to meet children's individual needs.
- Plan and lead math, literacy, science, social studies, cooking, and nature-study lessons.
- Modify the curriculum to meet each child's IEP goals and unique learning needs.
- Help children with extreme behaviors learn how to self-regulate their bodies and emotions.
- Collaborate with Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Speech Pathologists.
- Mentored new teachers by offering guidance on effective instructional strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Worked one-on-one with students who needed additional support or accommodations due to special needs.
- Differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners in the classroom.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and research.
- Established clear expectations for student behavior and academic success at the beginning of each school year or course session.
Intensive-Integrated Preschool Student Teacher
Cambridge Public Schools
Cambridge, MA
11.2014 - 06.2015
- Planned and implemented lessons to meet MA standards. Modified the curriculum to meet each child's unique learning needs.
- Helped children with behavioral challenges learn how to resolve conflicts.
- Collaborated with Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Speech Pathologists. Adapted lesson plans according to the needs of students with special education requirements or language barriers.
- Adapted lesson plans according to the needs of students with special education requirements or language barriers.
- Observed classroom management techniques and discipline strategies employed by the lead teacher.
- Assisted with supervising students during lunchtime, recess, field trips, and other extracurricular activities.
- Monitored student performance closely, using formative assessments throughout each unit of study.
- Communicated regularly with the lead teacher regarding student progress, areas of improvement needed, or potential issues that arose.
- Participated in parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress and address concerns.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to accommodate diverse learning styles in the classroom.
- Fostered a positive learning environment that encouraged open communication between students, teachers, and parents.
Interim Director
Bright Horizons at Mass Ave
Cambridge, MA
11.2014 - 05.2015
- Supervised 25 toddler and preschool staff members to implement developmentally appropriate curricula.
- Collaborated with the Regional Manager to ensure that each classroom met all EEC regulations.
- Maintained enrollment through leading tours, open houses, and family nights.
- Represented the center to parents and visitors with a professional, friendly, and courteous demeanor.
- Made the staff schedule, maintained payroll, and kept student and staff records up to date.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Evaluated employee performance, providing feedback, and coaching for improvement.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring efficiency and productivity.
Lead Infant/Toddler and Lead Preschool Teacher
Bright Horizons at Tufts
Boston, MA
07.2011 - 07.2013
- Supervised and trained my Assistant Teacher.
- Helped the Director maintain children's records.
- Planned events, including Open House and Curriculum Night.
- Improved the center's Documentation Boards.
- Worked one-on-one with teachers on progress reports.
- Trained teachers to use Teaching Strategies Gold.
- Answered the office phone and scheduled tours for parents.
- Encouraged open communication with parents about their child's growth and development.
- Restocked the classroom regularly with cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and consumable craft materials.
- Cultivated diverse learning, ample playtime, and caring environments to support early childhood success.
- Established class rules and behavior expectations, while promoting a sense of responsibility in young learners.
- Facilitated team meetings to discuss progress and address challenges.
- Developed department performance goals and methods for achieving milestones.
- Assisted the director with the daily functions of the programs.
Education
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education With MA Licensure
Boston University
Boston, MA05-2019
Bachelor of Science - Child Studies: Children With Special Needs
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA05-2015
Early Childhood Education
Bunker Hill Community College
Charlestown, MA06-2013
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Regulatory compliance
- Team building
- Employee training
- Market analysis
- Operational oversight
- Curriculum development
- Performance evaluation
- Program administration
- Team collaboration
- People and culture
- Mission and vision
- Training and development
- Employee coaching
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Relationship management
- Risk assessment
- Visionary leadership
- Staff training
- Individualized education program
- Curriculum modification
- Behavior management
- Parent communication
- Classroom management
- Nature-based education
- Functional behavior assessment
- Special Needs Integration
- Sensory integration techniques
- Data management
- Safety monitoring
- Early intervention strategies
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- Trained in CPI
- First aid and CPR
- Cognitive Disabilities Understanding
Accomplishments
- In 2021, I had the pleasure of receiving the Young Alumni Award from Wheelock College of Education at Boston University for my outstanding work in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Certification
- Infant and Toddler Lead Teacher (MA Department of Early Education and Care)
- Preschool Lead Teacher (MA Department of Early Education and Care)
- Director I and II (MA Department of Early Education and Care
- Family Child Care License for 10 children ( Ma Department of Early Care and Education)
- Greenspan Floortime Certification
- MA Licensure for PreK through second grade (Department of Elementary and Secondary Ed)
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR Trained
Languages
Haitian Creole
Native/ Bilingual
French
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Article from Christian Science Monitor
- Class in session, outside: The power of outdoor education
Article written about my experience as an educator By Mark Sappenfield.
https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/From-the-Editors/2021/0630/Class-in-session-outside-The-power-of-outdoor-education
Article: Dirty Hands, Happy Kids
BU-Wheelock Magazine: Dirty Hands, Happy Kids
https://www.bu.edu/wheelock/magazine/articles/2022/dirty-hands-happy-kids/
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
CEO/President
Sapling Explorers Early Learning Program
03.2025 - Current
Co-Founder and Director of Programs and Education
Boston Outdoor School Network
01.2019 - Current
Intensive-Integrated Special Education Teacher
Cambridge Public Schools
11.2015 - 03.2021
Intensive-Integrated Preschool Student Teacher
Cambridge Public Schools
11.2014 - 06.2015
Interim Director
Bright Horizons at Mass Ave
11.2014 - 05.2015
Lead Infant/Toddler and Lead Preschool Teacher
Bright Horizons at Tufts
07.2011 - 07.2013
Master of Science - Early Childhood Education With MA Licensure
Boston University
Bachelor of Science - Child Studies: Children With Special Needs
Lesley University
Early Childhood Education
Bunker Hill Community College
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