Jay Schwartz
Sidney,BC
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience as a Specialized Foster Parent at Surrounded by Cedar, adept at life skills teaching and emotional support. Successfully implemented individualized care plans, fostering resilience and positive relationships among children. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with teams, ensuring safety and promoting social skills development in diverse environments.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Specialized Foster Parent
Surrounded by Cedar
10.2000 - Current
- Supported children with emotional and behavioral challenges through nurturing and consistent care.
- Collaborated with social workers to develop individualized care plans for each child.
- Fostered a safe and structured environment promoting stability and trust for foster children.
- Attended training sessions to enhance skills in trauma-informed care and effective communication.
- Provided transportation for children to appointments, ensuring timely access to essential services.
- Assisted in the integration of children into community activities, enhancing social development opportunities.
- Documented daily observations of children's behavior and progress for case review meetings.
- Engaged in ongoing communication with biological families to support reunification efforts when appropriate.
- Fostered cultural competence within the family by celebrating diverse traditions, customs, and holidays relevant to each child''s background.
- Assisted children in developing essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and time management through daily tasks and routines.
- Facilitated family visits and maintained open communication with biological parents when appropriate to support reunification efforts.
- Encouraged positive relationships among siblings placed together in the same foster home through conflict resolution techniques and team-building activities.
- Modeled healthy communication skills and conflict resolution techniques while maintaining a positive atmosphere within the home.
- Collaborated with social workers to develop individualized care plans for each child in the foster home.
- Advocated for the best interests of each child during court hearings or case reviews involving decisions about their future placements or permanency plans.
- Implemented behavior management strategies to address challenging behaviors while promoting personal growth and development.
Educational Assistant
Island Montessori House School
09.2009 - 06.2012
- Supported classroom activities by preparing instructional materials and resources for diverse learning environments.
- Assisted in implementing individualized education plans to meet specific student needs effectively.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop engaging lesson plans that promote student participation and comprehension.
- Monitored student progress, providing feedback to educators on behavioral and academic performance.
- Facilitated communication between parents and teachers regarding student development and classroom dynamics.
- Led initiatives to enhance student engagement through interactive learning experiences and technology integration.
- Evaluated educational resources, recommending improvements to enhance overall teaching effectiveness and student outcomes.
- Developed strong rapport with students, fostering trust and mutual respect to create a positive classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
- Supported students with special needs by adapting lessons and providing necessary accommodations in collaboration with special education staff.
- Enhanced classroom management through the implementation of positive reinforcement techniques and clear expectations for behavior.
- Encouraged social-emotional growth among students by modeling appropriate behavior and guiding conversations around self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decisionmaking.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Supported classroom teachers by monitoring behavior, taking attendance, and completing other administrative tasks as needed.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat, and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Assisted in extracurricular activities such as clubs or sports teams, providing additional support for students outside of the classroom setting.
Education
Gender Diversity: A 2SLGBTQIA+ Workshop
Victoria, BC 11.2020 - 01.2021
CULTURAL SAFETY WORLD VIEW
Victoria, BC02-2023
SAFE BABIES FOSTER PARENT TRAINING PROGRAM
Victoria BC02-2020
High School Diploma -
Pacific Christian School
Victoria, BC06-1996
Skills
- Life skills teaching
- Positive reinforcement
- Social skills development
- Emotional support
- Child development
- Patience and tact
- Boundary setting
- Educational support
- Nutrition and meal planning
- Safety and supervision
- Resilience and perseverance
- Safety planning
- First aid and CPR
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
Timeline
Gender Diversity: A 2SLGBTQIA+ Workshop
11.2020 - 01.2021
Educational Assistant
Island Montessori House School
09.2009 - 06.2012
Specialized Foster Parent
Surrounded by Cedar
10.2000 - Current
CULTURAL SAFETY WORLD VIEW
SAFE BABIES FOSTER PARENT TRAINING PROGRAM
High School Diploma -
Pacific Christian School