Kayla Reeves
Pensacola ,FL
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated child development professional with extensive experience supporting children in early learning environments, after-school programs, and home-based medical care settings. Skilled in providing developmentally informed emotional support, promoting coping strategies, and communicating effectively with families. Experienced as an additional caregiver for a medically complex child, including exposure to tracheostomy care and gastrostomy tube (G-tube) feeding.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Teacher (One-Year-Old & Four-Year-Old) & Floater
Step by Step Enrichment Center
08.2021 - 08.2023
- Lead Teacher for one-year-old and four-year-old classrooms: designed and implemented developmentally appropriate curricula that fostered emotional regulation, language development, fine and gross motor skills, and social interaction.
- Created individualized routines and learning plans to support each child’s developmental goals and family communication.
- Floated between classrooms as needed, demonstrating flexibility and strong classroom management across age groups.
- Planned and implemented different daily activities to enhance overall development and growth of every student.
Group Leader
Creative School Age Care
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Leaded a group of 18 kindergarteners
- Provided after-school care for kindergarten students.
- Facilitated social-emotional learning and positive peer interactions.
- Assisted students with homework issues and helped to incorporate positive study skills.
Additional Caregiver – Medically Complex Child
Private Family
03.2023 - 01.2024
- Provided one-on-one care for a child with medical complexities.
- Experience with tracheostomy care, monitoring, and positioning.
- Supported G-tube feeding and maintained a calm, safe environment.
- Collaborated with family to reinforce routines and holistic care.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
Substitute Teacher
Santa Rosa County School District
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Supported classrooms from Pre-K to 5th grade.
- Helped students manage transitions and schedule changes positively.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
Teacher Assistant & Administrative Staff
Early Research Center for Child Development
07.2023 - Current
- Support children’s emotional, social, and developmental needs across multiple classrooms.
- Assist teachers with routines and transitions using supportive, child-centered guidance.
- Provide administrative support including documentation and communication.
- Adapt to diverse age groups while applying strong observation and developmental understanding.
- Partnered with teacher to plan and implement lessons following school's curriculum, goals, and objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Community Education
University of West Florida
Pensacola Fl 05-2026
Associate Degree - Early Childhood Education
Pensacola State College
Pensacola Fl01-2025
Skills
- Therapeutic Play
- Coping & Emotional Support
- Medically Complex Care
- Tracheostomy & G-Tube Exposure
- Family-Centered Care
- Student engagement
- Observation
- Child Behavior Guidance
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Documentation
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity & Empathy
- Activity planning
- Lesson development
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Childcare requirements
- Child development
- Classroom management
Languages
English
Career Objective
To support children and families in healthcare settings by providing therapeutic play, emotional support, and developmentally informed guidance as a future Child Life Specialist.
Timeline
Substitute Teacher
Santa Rosa County School District
01.2024 - 05.2024
Group Leader
Creative School Age Care
08.2023 - 12.2023
Teacher Assistant & Administrative Staff
Early Research Center for Child Development
07.2023 - Current
Additional Caregiver – Medically Complex Child
Private Family
03.2023 - 01.2024
Lead Teacher (One-Year-Old & Four-Year-Old) & Floater
Step by Step Enrichment Center
08.2021 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science - Community Education
University of West Florida
Associate Degree - Early Childhood Education
Pensacola State College