Tara Gray
San Lorenzo,CA
Summary
Accomplished School Director at Cornerstone Children's Center, adept in educational leadership and curriculum development. Excelled in fostering robust teacher-student relationships and enhancing school performance through strategic planning. Proven track record in faculty management and budget administration, significantly boosting faculty morale and maintaining school safety standards. Demonstrates exceptional coaching, mentoring, and parent communication skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
School Director
Cornerstone Children's Center
06.2013 - Current
- Improved school performance by implementing strategic plans and curriculum development initiatives.
- Oversaw budget, marketing and curriculum development for school operations.
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of the school, including staff supervision, facilities management, and budget oversight, ensuring a seamless educational experience for students.
- Provided detailed feedback to teams after analyzing each educator's responsibilities.
- Led successful accreditation processes, maintaining compliance with national standards and ensuring continued recognition as a quality educational institution.
- Promoted professional growth of teachers and staff by implementing a professional development program and providing guidance.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies, and behavior modification.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Served as tireless school resource, which enabled development of lasting relationships with students, parents and guardians.
- Secured funding for various projects by researching and identifying relevant grant opportunities.
- Built a Reserve fund of off $350,000 for the school while still contributing to the general fund for the church.
AM Director & School Administrator
Albany Preschool
08.2008 - 06.2013
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had equal opportunity for success.
- Designed creative lesson plans that incorporated hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences to foster curiosity and engagement in young learners.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Served as member of school's leadership team, participating in strategic planning efforts aimed at continuous improvement initiatives.
- Assisted in coordinating school-wide events such as science fairs and literacy nights, enhancing community involvement and support for education initiatives.
- Conducted ongoing assessments to monitor student progress and inform instructional adjustments.
- Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
Lead Teacher, Two-Year-Old's Classroom
Bright Horizons at Garner
12.2006 - 07.2008
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Implemented positive behavior management strategies, reducing instances of disruptive behavior in classroom.
- Managed classroom resources efficiently, ensuring materials were readily available for daily use and properly maintained.
- Utilized various teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students'' needs were met.
- Increased parent involvement in learning process through regular communication and updates on their child's progress.
- Implemented conflict resolution strategies to address challenging behaviors, teaching students essential social-emotional skills.
- Established strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering open lines of communication regarding student development and concerns.
- Provided feedback and support for teacher assistants, ensuring consistent implementation of classroom procedures and policies.
- Documented behavior, development and learning of children to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Monitored classroom to verify safe and secure environment.
Teacher & Gross Motor Specialist
Cornerstone Children's Center
04.2004 - 08.2006
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had equal opportunity for success.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
- Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
- Adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
Lead Childcare Worker, Supervisor
Kairos Unlimited, Inc
09.2002 - 08.2005
Teacher/Instructor
Gymboree
09.2003 - 04.2004
Program Coordinator
Alameda Unified School District
03.2001 - 06.2002
Private Nanny
Robert's Family
09.2000 - 02.2001
Head Teacher
Garner Learning Center
10.1997 - 09.2000
Education
Master of Education - Early Childhood Education
American College of Education
Indianapolis, IN11.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development, With Early Childhood Option
CSU East Bay
Hayward, CA12.2010
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Vista Community College
Berkeley, CA12.2006
Skills
- Educational leadership
- Budget Administration
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Curriculum Development
- Relationship Building
- Student Support
- Parent Communication
- Reliability
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Faculty Management
- School safety
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 24 staff members.
- Administration - Managed two licensed programs that resulted in both becoming NAEYC Accredited.
- Curriculum Development - Implemented a school wide curriculum program, serving children ages infancy to kindergarten entry.
- Implemented a school wide assessment/screening program that corresponded with Biannual parent conferences.
- Created, planned, and managed a budget of over $2,000,000 annually.
- Served as both a Teacher Mentor and a current Director Mentor with the state of California.
- Holds current Early Childhood Education Permit with the state of CAlifornia as a Teacher and Director.
Permits/Certifications
- Early Childhood Directors Permit with the state of California ( current)
- Early Childhood Teachers Permit with the state of California (current)
- Director Mentor ECE with the state of California ( current)
- Teacher Mentor ECE with the state of California (upgraded to Director Mentor)
- CPR/First Aid Certification (current)
Timeline
School Director
Cornerstone Children's Center
06.2013 - Current
AM Director & School Administrator
Albany Preschool
08.2008 - 06.2013
Lead Teacher, Two-Year-Old's Classroom
Bright Horizons at Garner
12.2006 - 07.2008
Teacher & Gross Motor Specialist
Cornerstone Children's Center
04.2004 - 08.2006
Teacher/Instructor
Gymboree
09.2003 - 04.2004
Lead Childcare Worker, Supervisor
Kairos Unlimited, Inc
09.2002 - 08.2005
Program Coordinator
Alameda Unified School District
03.2001 - 06.2002
Private Nanny
Robert's Family
09.2000 - 02.2001
Head Teacher
Garner Learning Center
10.1997 - 09.2000
Master of Education - Early Childhood Education
American College of Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development, With Early Childhood Option
CSU East Bay
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Vista Community College
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