Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Shelissa Alejandra TORRES MORALES

Anchorage

Summary

Dedicated early childhood professional with expertise in coaching and training for educators across Alaska. Bilingual in English and Spanish, committed to enhancing program quality and fostering family engagement while supporting career pathways in early childhood education.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Professional Development Specialist (PDS)

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Anchorage
12.2025 - Current
  • Deliver training, coaching, and career guidance to early educators and child care programs across Alaska.
  • Guided educators in achieving CDA credentials and reaching professional development goals.
  • Facilitated professional development opportunities while connecting educators with relevant resources and supports.
  • Provide onsite and virtual coaching to improve program quality and educator practices.
  • Collaborated with child care programs on continuous quality improvement planning and execution.
  • Collaborate with statewide partners to strengthen Alaska's early childhood workforce.

Professional Development Associate (PDA)

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Anchorage
08.2025 - 12.2025
  • Coordinated training logistics for statewide Professional Development team to ensure smooth execution of events.
  • Managed registrations, communications, and participant records for professional development events.
  • Addressed educator inquiries about training opportunities and career pathways to facilitate informed decision-making.
  • Acted as Spanish-speaking liaison for professional development resources, enhancing accessibility for diverse educators.
  • Supported statewide initiatives that improve access to professional development opportunities.
  • Assisted with data collection, reporting, and tracking of professional development activities.

Infant Early Headstart teacher

Cook Inlet Native Head Start
Anchorage
08.2024 - 08.2025
  • Created engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse student needs, enhancing learning experiences.
  • Fostered a nurturing environment to support children's emotional growth.
  • Partnered with families to support student development and increase parental involvement.
  • Applied culturally relevant teaching methods to honor and integrate Native Alaskan heritage into lessons.
  • Assessed student progress and adapted instructional strategies.
  • Organized educational activities that promote social and cognitive skills.
  • Maintained a safe and orderly learning environment for all students.
  • Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
  • Developed and implemented lesson plans based on curriculum objectives.

Child Development Associate

Kids' Corps, Inc.
Anchorage
08.2021 - 08.2025
  • Developed Road Maps to support children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
  • Supported teachers during IEP meetings by providing classroom coverage, ensuring continuity of learning.
  • Managed DECA assessments, ChildPlus documentation, and IEP tracking to maintain accurate records for compliance and support.
  • Collaborated with teachers, specialists, and families to enhance children's developmental goals and promote effective interventions.
  • Conducted developmental screenings using ASQ, Speed DIAL-4, and DIAL-4.
  • Assisted children experiencing behavioral challenges and trauma.
  • Modeled Conscious Discipline strategies and supported social-emotional development.
  • Promoted culturally responsive and inclusive practices in diverse learning environments.

Infant Teacher

KinderCare Learning Centers
Anchorage
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Delivered quality care and education for infants, fostering a safe and nurturing environment.
  • Facilitated developmental milestones through tailored, age-appropriate learning experiences.
  • Collaborated with families to enhance children's growth and development.

Volunteer Legal Counsel

Innocence Project
01.2014 - 01.2015
  • Conducted legal research and case review to support advocacy efforts.
  • Provided legal guidance on wrongful conviction cases for vulnerable populations.
  • Drafted and reviewed legal documents, including motions and appeals.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders to develop litigation strategies for critical cases.

Paralegal

Private Law Practice
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Supported attorneys in case preparation by conducting legal research and organizing documentation.
  • Drafted legal documents and pleadings for various case types.
  • Conducted legal research to support case preparation and strategy development.
  • Managed case files and maintained accurate records for attorneys.

Education

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education

Allen Community College
Kansas
06-2026

Bachelor of Laws -

Universidad Manuela Beltrán
Colombia
12-2015

Skills

  • Training development
  • Training Assessment
  • Training Coordination
  • Technical coaching
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality improvement
  • Developmental screenings
  • Child Development Observation
  • Behavior Support
  • Conscious Discipline
  • Inclusive Practices
  • Family Engagement
  • DECA Assessments
  • ChildPlus Documentation
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Early childhood education
  • Office software
  • Time management
  • Bilingual: English & Spanish

Certification

  • Child Development Associate (CDA)
  • CPR Certification
  • Driver's License

Timeline

Professional Development Specialist (PDS)

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12.2025 - Current

Professional Development Associate (PDA)

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08.2025 - 12.2025

Infant Early Headstart teacher

Cook Inlet Native Head Start
08.2024 - 08.2025

Child Development Associate

Kids' Corps, Inc.
08.2021 - 08.2025

Infant Teacher

KinderCare Learning Centers
01.2019 - 01.2021

Volunteer Legal Counsel

Innocence Project
01.2014 - 01.2015

Paralegal

Private Law Practice
01.2012 - 01.2013

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education

Allen Community College

Bachelor of Laws -

Universidad Manuela Beltrán
Shelissa Alejandra TORRES MORALES