Childhood Quality Specialist

March 1st 2021 – Present

Provide technical assistance and coaching support to assist child care and early learning programs in attaining, maintaining, and improving Texas Rising Star certification status. Regularly consult with programs to develop and monitor Continuous Quality Improvement Plans (CQIPs), model best practices, provide constructive feedback, deliver targeted training, and refer programs to other helpful resources and training.

ECEd Associates

Fisherman Drive, Lake Havasu City AZ 928-230-6067

Community College Instructor and Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator

May 2020 to March 2021

In collaboration with the First-Things-First program and MCC College - Write educational curriculum for students in the early childhood field. Incorporate technology to create a digital platform - Design an interactive template for learner-centered student response, and collaborate with other professionals in the writing process. Teach early childhood courses and lead a cohort leadership support committee for daycares throughout Arizona’s west coast area.

Beach House Kids Child Care LLC

Crestwind Drive, Lake Havasu City AZ 928-419-2206

Child Care Owner/Director

April 2019 – March 2021

As the owner and director, I worked to ensure that the needs of all children and families were met on a daily basis - creating a safe environment for the children in our care. This role encompassed multiple duties, including, but not limited to, executing a plan to continue desired enrollment, maintaining company financial and budgetary guidelines, hiring, training, supervising staff, and operating in accordance to state licensing standards.

Southwest Human Development-Quality First Things First

2850 N 24th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008 602-266-5976 

Statewide Trainer/Lead Assessor

June 2014-January 2019

As an approved PD instructor/TA provider conducted in-service training events for Quality First Coaches and Assessors.  Served as a subject expert in the assessment tools that included ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS, Point Scale, and CLASS.  Led scheduled observations in support of completing Quality First Assessments in selected early care and education settings throughout the state of Arizona.  Wrote and reviewed detailed reports summarizing findings and justifying the scores. Provided detailed information to participating programs about the presence of indicators that are known to influence positive child outcomes.

City of Phoenix (Second position while employed with SWHD)

Assessor/Goal Planning Representative

September 2016-September 2018

Conducted individualized CLASS assessments and goal setting for Head Start teachers within the Alhambra school district.   Assisted teachers in developing goals and plans of improvement on an individual basis.  As a result, were top of the state with an average CLASS score of 5.0.

Aim4Excellence (Third position while employed with SWHD)

Mentor

October 2016- January 2017

Led early childhood directors with professional development through ongoing meetings that focused on the essential knowledge and skills leaders need to deliver high-quality programming for young children. Met face-to-face with assigned directors in both for-profit and nonprofit preschool programs to reflect on theory, assist with barriers and discuss practical application at their schools and centers.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties

450 N Syndicate Street, Saint Paul, MN 55104 651-645-6445

Mentor/Coach

April 2008- June 2014

Assisted children birth to five, and their families, as well as new teachers, to meet and exceed their personal expectations and goals; assisted children and their families regarding direct education, goal setting, mental health education, and inclusion. Worked to ensure that each child was observed, assessed, and given the opportunity to receive any additional services necessary.  Assisted teachers with weekly lesson plans, tracked and monitored child performance, implemented monthly parent meetings, attended IEP meetings, and conducted home visits. 

Minnesota Reading Corp (Second position while employed with Community Action Partnership)

Literacy Coach

May 2012-May 2014

Success as a Minnesota Reading Corps Literacy Coach in a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child to become a successful reader by the end of 3rd grade. Implemented a researched-based early literacy effort to help struggling readers. Worked directly with teachers and children in their classrooms to create literacy-rich environments. Regularly collected data for each student in order to tailor literacy interventions for children.

Anoka County Community Action Program

1201 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434 763-783-4747

Manager/Program Development Planner/Staff Trainer

August 1997 – March 2008

Extensive experience in maintaining a formal structure of shared governance in which I worked directly with the governing board members, policy council members, staff, parents, and children. Worked to create and monitor assessment and programmatic strategies through the ongoing leadership of the overall program; built relationships with collaborating partners including school district staff, companies, and corporations. Duties within this position included day-to-day operations, supervision, grant writing, curriculum writing, planning/development, training/public speaking, and strategic planning.  Wrote the Diversity Plan, Curriculum plan, Policy Council reports, state and federal grants, and annual community assessment. Wrote and conducted all agency training that included curriculum, outcomes, Performance Standards, diversity, and child development topics.

SAMPLE Training and Technical Assistance:

Raising a Talker

ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS

CLASS

Behavioral Toolbox Workshops

Engaging Environments

Lesson Planning/Creative Curriculum  

Schedules and Routines

Effective Transitioning  

Performance Standards

Licensing Standards 

Strong background in education

Strong background in early childhood classroom assessment  

Exemplary training methods utilizing communities of practice, technical assistance, modeling, and formal training techniques

Understanding of facility licensing rules and regulations/Texas Minimum Standards

CPR/First Aid

Food Handlers Certification

Texas Fingerprint Clearance

Strong computer and multi-media skills/experience 

Engaging, motivating personality

Strong organizational skills

Mentor/coach experience

Early Childhood management and training experience

Skilled in environmental rating scales ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS, Point Scale, CLASS

State-wide trainer – environmental rating scale – Quality First/Star Rating System

Exemplary training at all levels of programming – from adults to children