Susan Watkins
Boca Raton,FL
Summary
Dedicated to supporting emotional, social and academic development of young children. Trained in developmental stages and knowledgeable about offering safe, nurturing environments to boost learning. Desire to complement education-based strategies with techniques to promote overall health and wellness.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Pre Kindergarten 4 Year Old
Saint Andrew's School
08.2022 - Current
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and incorporate IB learner profile traits.
- Promoted student initiated action by encouraging linking their learning to real-life issues and opportunities.
- Promoted early literacy skills through engaging storytime sessions.
- Provided a nurturing environment for emotional and social growth, fostering strong relationships among students, teachers and peers.
- Fostered social-emotional growth in students through daily morning meetings and character education lessons.
- Organized multi-sensory activities to teach preschool children foundational learning skills.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop age-appropriate curriculum aligned to state standards.
- Enhanced learning experiences by incorporating hands-on activities and interactive games into daily lesson plans.
- Fostered creativity in young minds through open-ended art projects that encouraged self-expression and exploration of various mediums.
ESOL Coordinator/Teacher
Calusa Elementary
08.2020 - 06.2022
- Oversaw scheduling tasks for two teachers and three language facilitators, ensuring optimal success for students.
- Collaborated with administration to develop strategic plans for the ESOL department to align with standards.
- Responsible for testing of students, entering data, generating reports and producing tracking documents.
- Evaluated teaching materials and best practices to identify improvement opportunities.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Increased student literacy rates by implementing targeted reading strategies in individualized instruction plans.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Created, managed and participated in variety of learning environments and activities to support opportunities for students to develop full potential and achieve learning objectives.
Kindergarten Teacher
Palm Beach Maritime Academy
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Promoted a positive learning environment with the use of collaborative group work and hands-on activities.
- Encouraged and prepared students to become independent readers through systematic, multi-sensory instruction in phonemic awareness and decoding skills.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Rewarded student success by utilizing praise and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Inspired students to take ownership of learning and become autonomous thinkers.
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Collaborated in planning, organizing and implementing instructional programs to facilitate academic, intellectual and social development.
Associate Teacher
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
08.2017 - 06.2019
- Early Childhood Developmental Center
- Assisted lead teacher in designing engaging lesson plans that catered to diverse learners needs and abilities.
- Supported lead teacher in managing classroom behavior by implementing effective positive discipline strategies, maintaining a focused learning environment for all students.
- Supported students in developing social skills through activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Educational and Behavioral Support
Heathwood Hall
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Classroom and Transition Program
- Improved student behavior by implementing individualized support plans and monitoring progress.
- Reduced instances of disruptive behavior through de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Enhanced communication with parents by providing regular updates on student progress and collaborating on behavioral goals.
Kindergarten Teacher
Midway Elementary
08.2001 - 06.2002
- Improved student reading skills by implementing phonics-based instruction and guided reading activities.
- Enhanced classroom management by establishing clear expectations, rules, and routines.
- Increased parent involvement through regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and workshops.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Developed strong relationships with families to celebrate their child's success as well as to address any concerns or issues impacting student success.
Kindergarten Teacher
Blythe Elementary
08.2000 - 06.2001
- Utilized assessment data to modify instruction and target areas of weakness for individual students.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Kindergarten Teacher
Midway Elementary
08.1998 - 06.2000
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Built positive relationships with students and families for safe, trusted learning support.
- Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural consequences.
- Delivered lesson plans, implemented school curriculum and used data to create, monitor, and establish personalized learning plan for each student.
- Created and supervised variety of hands-on learning activities for engagement.
Kindergarten-First Grade Transitional Teacher
John P. Thomas Elementary
08.1994 - 06.1998
- Improved student reading comprehension by incorporating engaging phonics activities and guided reading sessions.
- Increased parent involvement in their child's education by conducting regular parent-teacher conferences and providing resources for at-home learning support.
- Developed student critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning activities and group projects.
- Enhanced classroom management techniques, resulting in a more focused and productive learning environment.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need for individual students and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SCSkills
- Positive Parent-Teacher Communication
- Team Collaboration
- IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) - Student centered, inquiry based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework that builds conceptual understanding
- Learning Without Tears - Developmental, multi-sensory learning
- Orton-Gillingham
- Nurturing Environment
- Sensory Play
- Classroom Organization
- Understanding of Child Development
- Play-Based Learning
- Florida Department of Children and Families Early Childhood Certification
Career Development
- Orton Gillingham Training
- Literacy in Learning
- Effective Class Meetings
- Differentiated Instruction
- STEAM: Enhancing STEM Education with the Arts
- Sensory Learning
- Trouble Free Transitions
- The Value of Mindfulness
- Authentic Assessment
Timeline
Pre Kindergarten 4 Year Old
Saint Andrew's School
08.2022 - Current
ESOL Coordinator/Teacher
Calusa Elementary
08.2020 - 06.2022
Kindergarten Teacher
Palm Beach Maritime Academy
08.2019 - 06.2020
Associate Teacher
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
08.2017 - 06.2019
Educational and Behavioral Support
Heathwood Hall
08.2016 - 06.2017
Kindergarten Teacher
Midway Elementary
08.2001 - 06.2002
Kindergarten Teacher
Blythe Elementary
08.2000 - 06.2001
Kindergarten Teacher
Midway Elementary
08.1998 - 06.2000
Kindergarten-First Grade Transitional Teacher
John P. Thomas Elementary
08.1994 - 06.1998
Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education
University of South Carolina
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