Jill O'Grady
St. Louis
Summary
I am a dedicated Early Childhood Educator with over 18 years of experience. I have worked with typically developing children and children with disabilities including autism. I strive to effectively combine real-life experiences with highly structured activities to provide an engaging and interactive learning environment for all children and their families. I have vast experience differentiating curriculum and activities to teach to all types of learning styles and ability levels.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Childhood Educator-JK4
Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School
08.2023 - Current
- Supported children's educational development by, creating customized learning strategies to accommodate various abilities across all developmental domains.
- Boosted children''s social skills development through group projects and collaborative games.
- Cultivated a safe and inclusive classroom environment that fostered respect, empathy, and cultural awareness among students.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
Preschool Teacher
St Monica Catholic School
08.2016 - Current
- Planned and implemented activities in all developmental areas including; language arts, math, science, social, and studies
- Created and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum that addressed all learning styles and ability levels
- Successfully planned and implemented a virtual learning program for preschool aged students using Google Classroom that included both live streaming classes and activities to be completed at home which included learning opportunities across all developmental domains
- Led both large and small group activities
- Created written assessments of student performance based on observations in the classroom
- Monitored students' educational progress with individual skill assessments and a work portfolio system
- Supervised and instructed a classroom assistant
Camp Invention Instructor
National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
06.2017 - 06.2019
- Followed and implemented the National Inventors Hall of Fame Camp Invention STEM based summer program curriculum for children in kindergarten through 6th grade
- Considered participants' abilities, needs, and interests when implementing the camp program
- Gave clear instructions to activity and program participants in order to ensure their enjoyment and safety
- Led and supervised up to 4 junior high and/or high school student assistants to aide in implementing the Camp Invention curriculum
- Implemented and taught virtual lessons via Zoom through the Camp Connect program designed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame when it was not safe for in-person learning
Preschool Teacher
My Lady of the Pillar Catholic School
01.2015 - 05.2016
- Created a welcoming learning environment that was frequently emulated in other classrooms
- Gave one-on-one attention to the children while maintaining overall focus on the entire group
- Used play-based learning strategies, such as crafts and games, to provide a variety of learning opportunities
- Worked closely with speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapists to assist a child with special needs
Preschool Teacher
St. Benedict Catholic School
03.2003 - 10.2014
Education
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS01.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development and Family Life
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS01.1998
Skills
- Certified Early Childhood Educator in Missouri
- Experienced working with young children with and without disabilities
- Able to differentiate lessons and curriculum to meet the learning needs and ability levels of all children
- Adept at writing and implementing lesson plans that align with the core academic standards
- Implemented the 'Handwriting Without Tears' and 'Everyday Math' instructional programs into daily classroom instruction
- Familiar with the ABA educational model
- Able to work well collaboratively with a team of both education professionals and student families
Timeline
Early Childhood Educator-JK4
Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School
08.2023 - Current
Camp Invention Instructor
National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
06.2017 - 06.2019
Preschool Teacher
St Monica Catholic School
08.2016 - Current
Preschool Teacher
My Lady of the Pillar Catholic School
01.2015 - 05.2016
Preschool Teacher
St. Benedict Catholic School
03.2003 - 10.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Human Development and Family Life
University of Kansas
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Kansas
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