Sydney Kitchin
Virginia Beach,VA
Summary
Outgoing and energetic lead early childhood educator and mentor with a love for learning new skills. An independent and accomplished military spouse and parent. Motivated to supervise and mentor teachers and teaching assistants and guide them into creating well-rounded, happy, healthy, educated children. My objective is to progress within the early childhood field.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director
Forever Young Montessori
09.2025 - Current
- Oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding process for new educators to maintain a high-quality teaching staff.
- Mentored new teachers through observation, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Assisted the Director in developing innovative programs to improve students'' academic performance and retention rate.
- Conducted regular safety drills to ensure preparedness in case of emergency situations at school premises.
- Fostered a positive school culture by promoting open communication among staff members and celebrating successes together as a team.
- Streamlined communication between teachers, parents, and administrators to foster a collaborative learning environment.
- Ensured compliance with state education standards by regularly reviewing curriculum materials and teaching practices.
- Evaluated teacher performance through classroom observations and provided constructive feedback for improvement.
- Implemented effective conflict resolution strategies for resolving issues among faculty members or between students.
- Implemented data-driven strategies for continuous improvement of instruction and curriculum alignment.
Lead Teacher
Armed Services YMCA
04.2025 - 09.2025
- Designed and implemented activity plans for children ages six weeks to five years old.
- Conducted developmentally appropriate practices by promoting communication/language, social-emotional, cognitive, self-regulation, and physical health skills.
- Prepared specialized programs for children with special needs, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues.
- Provided leadership and guidance to junior staff.
- Observed each child's health and development in the program and maintained record of observations.
- Implemented ELM curriculum.
- Served as mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and maltreatment.
- Complied and maintained Virginia, NAEYC, DOD and ASYMCA standards.
- Followed the teaching philosophy of positive guidance and reinforcements.
- Supported military personnel and their families.
Lead Teacher
Forever Young Montessori
03.2024 - 04.2025
- Established positive relationships with parents through regular communication regarding student progress, collaborating on strategies for academic success at home and school.
- Conferred with parents about student progress to boost family involvement and enhance student support.
- Communicated frequently with parents about student growth and progress, recommending at-home reinforcement to support struggling students.
- Organized rooms in line with current educational thinking to maximize educational opportunities for students.
- Mentored new teachers on best practices for classroom management and instructional techniques, contributing to their professional growth and effectiveness in the classroom.
Educational Technician
Holloman Child Development Center
10.2022 - 11.2023
- Designed and implemented activity plans for children ages six weeks to five years old.
- Conducted developmentally appropriate practices by promoting social-emotional, cognitive, self-regulation, and physical health skills.
- Prepared specialized programs for children with special needs, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues.
- Provided leadership and guidance to junior staff.
- Served as supervisor on duty when management is unavailable.
- Observed each child's health and development in the program and maintained record of observations.
- Conducted observations on 10 children in care.
- conducted parent conferences.
- Implemented ELM curriculum.
- Served as mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and maltreatment.
- Established a clean and safe environment for children in care.
- Provided ages and stages questionnaires to families to track developmental progress.
- Complied and maintained Air Force and NAEYC regulations.
- Followed the teaching philosophy of positive guidance and reinforcements.
- Supported military personnel and their families.
Educational Technician
Talkeetna Child Development Center
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Designed and implemented activity plans for children ages six weeks to five years old.
- Conducted developmentally appropriate practices by promoting social-emotional, cognitive, self-regulation, and physical health skills.
- Prepared specialized programs for children with special needs, learning disabilities, or behavioral issues.
- Provided leadership and guidance to junior staff.
- Served as supervisor on duty when management is unavailable.
- Observed each child's health and development in the program and maintained record of observations.
- Conducted observations on 14 children in care.
- conducted parent conferences.
- Implemented ELM curriculum.
- Served as mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and maltreatment.
- Established a clean and safe environment for children in care.
- Provided ages and stages questionnaires to families to track developmental progress.
- Complied and maintained Air Force and NAEYC regulations.
- Followed the teaching philosophy of positive guidance and reinforcements.
- Supported military personnel and their families.
Child and Youth Program Assistant
Talkeetna Child Development Center
07.2019 - 08.2022
- Provided high quality education for children ages six weeks to five years old through developmentally appropriate practices by promoting social-emotional, physical health, communication/language, self-regulation, and cognitive growth.
- Documented observations for 14 children.
- Conducted parent conferences.
- Provided ages and stages questionnaire's to families to track developmentally appropriate milestones.
- Complied and maintained Air Force and NAEYC standards.
- Served as mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and maltreatment.
- Supported military personnel and their families.
- Followed the teaching philosophy of positive guidance and reinforcements.
- Established a safe and clean environment for the children.
- Implemented ELM and Creative Curriculum.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA05-2026
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA03-2023
Skills
- Work effectively with deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Detail-oriented
- Problem-solving
- Quick learner
- Medication administration
- Active listening
- Dependable
- Effectively plans and organizes work
- Positive attitude
- Knowledge of child development policies and regulations
- Leadership skills and experience
Timeline
Assistant Director
Forever Young Montessori
09.2025 - Current
Lead Teacher
Armed Services YMCA
04.2025 - 09.2025
Lead Teacher
Forever Young Montessori
03.2024 - 04.2025
Educational Technician
Holloman Child Development Center
10.2022 - 11.2023
Educational Technician
Talkeetna Child Development Center
09.2021 - 08.2022
Child and Youth Program Assistant
Talkeetna Child Development Center
07.2019 - 08.2022
Bachelor of Science - Early Childhood Education
Liberty University
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Liberty University
Additional Training
- First Aid and CPR Certified - Renewed March 2026
- 95 clock hours of Infant and Toddler Virtual Lab School - completed September 2020
- Individualized KIT training on challenging behaviors
- Attended 2021 annual NAEYC conference
- MAT Certified