Shterna Kesselman
Los Angeles,California
Summary
Talented Special Education Paraprofessional focused on meeting student academic and emotional needs. Compassionate and caring in delivery of personalized, hands-on support and lessons targeted to specific learning needs and strengths. Leverages strong communication skills and patient nature to provide positive reinforcement in team-based, structured environments.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
Munitz Family Childcare
Los Angeles, CA
09.2023 - 06.2024
- Assisted preschool teachers with classroom activities, such as arts and crafts projects, storytelling time, and outdoor play.
- Supported lead teacher with daily classroom activities.
- Supervised children during lunchtime and snack time.
- Helped to implement positive behavior management strategies in the classroom.
- Monitored students to observe behavior, enforce rules and maintain safety.
- Assisted preschoolers with personal care needs.
- Observed student behavior in order to identify any potential issues or concerns.
- Monitored playground activities outdoors to ensure safety of all participants.
- Encouraged social interactions between children through cooperative play activities.
- Instructed and assisted students during craft activities.
- Supervised students outside classroom during recess, lunch and breaks.
- Worked one-on-one with students to reinforce concepts taught by the teacher.
- Engaged children in conversations about topics related to their interests or current events.
- Supported small group instruction by helping students understand instructions and complete tasks independently when possible.
- Read stories aloud to groups of children while engaging them in discussion about characters, plotlines.
- Provided support for individual students who needed extra help with their work.
- Identified early signs of emotional and developmental problems in children and brought up problems to parents.
- Kept track of teaching materials and regularly stocked school supplies.
- Taught daily life skills and behaviors to students to build practical knowledge.
- Instructed students on usage and care of equipment to prevent injuries.
- Managed daily attendance and reported absences and tardies to Main Teacher for parental notification.
Special Education Teacher
Lubavitch Nursery
London, UK
07.2019 - 11.2022
- Assisted preschool teachers with classroom activities, such as arts and crafts projects, storytelling time, and outdoor play.
- Assisted with or led story time by reading books to children.
- Observed student behavior in order to identify any potential issues or concerns.
- Assisted preschoolers with personal care needs.
- Greeted parents and students at the start of each day and assisted them in getting settled into the classroom environment.
- Encouraged social interactions between children through cooperative play activities.
- Worked one-on-one with students to reinforce concepts taught by the teacher.
- Engaged children in conversations about topics related to their interests or current events.
- Read stories aloud to groups of children while engaging them in discussion about characters, plotlines.
- Provided support for individual students who needed extra help with their work.
- Supported small group instruction by helping students understand instructions and complete tasks independently when possible.
- Collaborated with other educators and professionals to design instructional plans.
- Developed Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities.
- Conducted small group and individual classroom activities with students based on differentiated learning needs.
- Facilitated small group instruction tailored for individual student needs.
- Provided instruction in academic, communication, and social skills to special education students.
- Participated in professional development activities related to teaching strategies for special education students.
- Advocated for needs of the students with disabilities.
- Established positive relationships with students and their families.
- Collaborated with general education teachers to include students in classroom activities.
- Assisted in the development of IEP goals based on data analysis.
- Encouraged student empathy of others to build confidence and improve self-image.
- Developed interesting and interactive learning methods tailored to help students with individual needs.
- Served as an advocate for special education students within the school system.
- Assisted with classroom observations to identify developmental delays and behavioral issues.
- Created and implemented compliant IEPs, progress reports and state-specific special education documentation.
- Built relationships with students and guardians through active communication and positive feedback.
- Maintained student records in accordance with district standards.
- Evaluated student needs to provide helpful resources and support.
- Collaborated with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
- Enhanced students' physical, behavioral and social skills through class activities.
- Helped students learn to persevere with challenging tasks and build resilience for later educational efforts.
- Enhanced students' sensory- and perceptual-motor skills through hands-on activities.
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
Lubavitch Nursery
London, UK
09.2017 - 11.2022
- Supported lead teacher with daily classroom activities.
- Assisted preschool teachers with classroom activities, such as arts and crafts projects, storytelling time, and outdoor play.
- Maintained a clean and orderly classroom environment throughout the day.
- Helped to implement positive behavior management strategies in the classroom.
- Assisted preschoolers with personal care needs.
- Observed student behavior in order to identify any potential issues or concerns.
- Assisted with or led story time by reading books to children.
- Monitored playground activities outdoors to ensure safety of all participants.
- Encouraged social interactions between children through cooperative play activities.
- Worked one-on-one with students to reinforce concepts taught by the teacher.
- Collaborated closely with lead teachers on planning and implementing curriculum objectives.
- Engaged children in conversations about topics related to their interests or current events.
- Made and distributed nutritious snacks by preparing and dividing into portions.
- Supported small group instruction by helping students understand instructions and complete tasks independently when possible.
- Assisted in preparing materials for lessons and activities according to lesson plans provided by the teacher.
- Prepared, served and cleaned up daily meals for 18 children.
- Attended professional development workshops and training sessions as required.
- Provided support for individual students who needed extra help with their work.
- Participated in field trips offsite with preschoolers under supervision of lead teacher.
- Organized student items by labeling and documenting collection.
- Maintained and cleaned nap mats by making minor repairs and wiping down.
- Helped facilitate indoor and outdoor play, parent-teacher conferences and keeping classroom clean with diligent attention to each support task.
- Identified early signs of emotional and developmental problems in children and brought up problems to parents.
- Took class attendance and recorded absences.
Education
Jewish Philosophy
Associated Beth Rivkah Schools - DHL
Brooklyn, NY06-2016
Skillsfirst Level 2 Diploma - EYEC - Early Childhood Education
SkillsFirst
London, UK06-2015
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus - Art And Design
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
London, UK06-2015
Advanced Subsidary - Creative Writing
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
London, UK06-2015
General Certificate of General Education - Modern Hebrew
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
London, UK06-2014
General Certificate of General Education - Biblical Hebrew
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
London, UK06-2013
Skills
- Child Development Knowledge
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Special Needs Support
- Positive Reinforcement
- Strong Work Ethic and Dependable
- Hands-On Learning
- Promoting Social and Emotional Development
- Small Group Support and Assistance
- Motivating and Inspiring Students
- Caring and Empathetic Demeanor
- Attention to Detail
- Interpersonal Skills
- Encouraging Participation and Inclusivity
- Early Childhood Training
- Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Skills Development
- Parent Communication
- Cognitive and Behavioral Development
- Material Selection
- Behavior Modifications
- Social Skills Development
- Student Records Management
- Differentiated Instruction
- Lesson Planning
- Relationship Building
- Student Support
- Emotional Support
- Small Group Instruction
Affiliations
- I love nature, creative writing/journaling and having fun with my imagination. A highlight in my day is concocting crazy scenarios with my students and sharing a good laugh.
- I love seeing a child slowly expressing their true self. Humans are complex, and as a child is discovering the world around them, it may take time for them to settle down. As a Special Education Paraprofessional, I strive to reach beneath the surface and help the child feel heard and supported however they may need.
- I love music, singing and art. My happy place is settled on my couch with my sketchpad/paintbrush with soft music in the background. It is through music, art/writing and play that I let my inner child free.
- I love using my imagination! Catch me in the moment and I dare you to hide that smirk. Together, we can come up with the craziest scenarios. Can't live it? Dream it! Envision it!
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Yiddish
Native/ Bilingual
Modern Hebrew
Professional
Timeline
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
Munitz Family Childcare
09.2023 - 06.2024
Special Education Teacher
Lubavitch Nursery
07.2019 - 11.2022
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
Lubavitch Nursery
09.2017 - 11.2022
Jewish Philosophy
Associated Beth Rivkah Schools - DHL
Skillsfirst Level 2 Diploma - EYEC - Early Childhood Education
SkillsFirst
Cambridge IGCSE Syllabus - Art And Design
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
Advanced Subsidary - Creative Writing
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
General Certificate of General Education - Modern Hebrew
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
General Certificate of General Education - Biblical Hebrew
Lubavitch Senior Girls School
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