Kyla Davies
Airdrie
Summary
Professional educator with proven track record of nurturing young minds and fostering love for learning. Strong skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and adapting to diverse student needs. Known for effective teamwork, reliability, and flexibility in dynamic educational environments. Passionate about creating inclusive and engaging learning experiences.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grade 1 Teacher (1.0 FTE)
Rundle School – Calgary Board of Education
08.2023 - Current
- Plan, prepare and deliver academic lessons to 52 students in a joint teaching classroom while also planning and preparing individualized academic lessons for 2-4 students in my class with ASD, ADHD and Downs.
- Built relationships with over 50 students, co-teacher and educational assistants in the classroom on a daily basis ensuring that all students felt cared for, loved, and important.
- Complete bi-yearly report cards, bi-yearly ESL benchmarks, bi-yearly government of Alberta literacy and numeracy assessments and quarterly Individualized Program Plans (IPPs).
- Collect, assess and record student work using written, spoken and visual methods of learned concepts such as EAL writing examples, Oral Reading Fluency, and Math UP Assessments of Learning.
- Coach and model best practices for 1-2 Educational Assistants (EAs) in the classroom to best support students with special needs, including reading a students’ interoceptive needs, emotional regulation needs and delivering unique academic work systems and life skills.
- Deliver the Grade 1 curriculum set forth by Alberta Education to over 50 grade 1 students in a shared classroom using various literacy methods (i.e. UFLI, Heggerty, Secret Stories) and numeracy methods (i.e. MathUp, JumpMath, Teach Your Monster).
Early Intervention (PUF) Teacher /Education Coordinator (0.8FTE)
I’m For Kids Team
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Teach and lead an early learning program (“Kids Stepping Up”) for children ages 2.8-6.0 years of age for a 3 hour program in the morning and a 3 hour program in the afternoon for children identified with severe, moderate and mild exceptionalities.
- Prepare monthly, weekly and daily learning plans based on the Alberta Education Kindergarten Program Statement, Alberta Education Kindergarten curriculum and the needs and strengths of each child
- Collaborate with parents, educational assistants and clinical teams (SLP, OT, PT & Psychologist) in developing individualized and developmentally appropriate IPP goals, accommodations and strategies for each child
- Assess each students growth and development through classroom observations, parent feedback, IPP Goal Tracking Sheets and clinical team observations.
- Utilize unique supports and strategies from each child’s Individualized Program Plan to provide the best learning outcomes possible for each student to be successful in the learning environment
- Design and create a learning environment that is warm, inviting and developmentally appropriate to the learning needs and learning styles of each student.
- Display and share each child’s learning experiences through visual pedagogical documentation inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Early Intervention (PUF) Teacher (1.0 FTE)
Heartland Agency Evenstart Program
09.2017 - 08.2021
- Create, lead and teach early learning instruction based on the Alberta Education Kindergarten Curriculum for preschool and kindergarten aged children from backgrounds of abuse, trauma and poverty
- Coordinate learning supports from a wide variety of therapists to guide each child’s Individualized Program Plan and to use the best learning supports for each child in the classroom
- Design and create a learning environment that is warm, inviting and developmentally appropriate to the learning needs and learning styles of each student. Apply the Reggio Emilia approach to help guide my design of each space/centre in the classroom to be welcoming and engaging for each child to play and learn
- Coach and guide the actions of 2-3 educational assistants and visiting practicum students
- Utilize various assessment strategies (classroom observations, goal tracking sheets, parent feedback, therapists’ feedback, educational assistants’ feedback and children’s projects) to assess how each student progressed throughout the year to complete regular IPP reviews and updates, as well as, to complete bi-yearly Kindergarten Report Cards
- Liaison with receiving school boards, parents, therapists to facilitate the transition of children from my Kindergarten class to their community schools for Grade 1
Educational Program Specialist (1.0 FTE)
I’m For Kids Team
04.2014 - 08.2017
- Manage a caseload of 25+ preschool children identified with a developmental delay or disability within Airdrie and North Calgary ensuring each child has an IPP document and the supports he/she needs to be successful in his/her PUF program
- Collaborate with clinical teams (SLP, OT, PT & Psychologist) in developing individualized, functional, and developmentally appropriate IPP goals, accommodations and strategies for children ages 3 – 5 years of age based on parent priorities and one-on-one observations in preschool programs
- Coach and guide 15+ Program Support Assistants (PSA) through Professional Training Workshops and Planning Sessions to help provide the best support possible for each identified child
- Provide families with education and support across daily environments in the form of Family Oriented Programming Sessions pertaining to the needs and development of each child
- Problem solve issues that arise on a daily/weekly basis with children’s programming involving various parties: parents, preschool teachers, Program Support Assistants & Therapists.
Special Education Teacher (Jr. High Life Skills/PUF Early Intervention)
New Heights School
08.2011 - 08.2014
- Developed, implemented and delivered the Functional Life Skills program for up to 10 Senior High students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, focusing on literacy and numeracy through units on Money Management, Work Preparation, Cooking/Baking, Laundry, Household Cleaning, Social Hygiene and Public Transportation utilizing local businesses and programs within the community
- Planned and taught the Early Intervention Preschool program for up to 7 children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder using visual schedules (PECS), assistive technologies (Switches, Communication Boards, iPad, etc.), repetitive monthly story themes, emotional regulation activities, structured learning environments (TEACCH philosophy) and social communication
- Supervised and guided the actions of 1 to 2 educational assistants and 1 to 3 visiting practicum students
- Partnered with parents, psychologists, occupational and speech-language therapists to continuously develop, implement and evaluate extensive Individualized Program Plan s (detailing accommodations and strategies)
- Determined how the needs of each child could be met through ongoing observational assessments, standardized measures using SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transitional Supports), and numerous consultations with other staff (therapists)
- Prepared quarterly Progress Reports and conducted meetings to keep parents current of their child’s progress
Senior Skills Classroom Teacher (0.5 FTE)
Crowther Memorial Junior High School, Golden Hills School Division No.75
09.2013 - 06.2014
- Taught and researched a specialized curriculum including functional academics, communication, and life skills programming to junior high students with moderate to severe cognitive, sensory and developmental disabilities
- Coordinated the support of 3 educational assistants to assist in providing differentiated instruction to meet a wide range of individual needs, using current best practices
- Carried out a variety of assessments including classroom observation, curriculum-based assessment, diagnostic teaching methods, and functional analysis of behaviour to determine the efficacy of daily educational activities and to track the progress of individualized learning objectives and goals.
- Wrote and updated Individualized Program Plans in collaboration with parents, students, teachers and educational assistants.
Education
Bachelor of Education Degree - Elementary Generalist/Inclusive Education
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB01.2011
Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Degree - Specialization - Children with Disabilities
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB01.2008
Early Childhood Education and Development Diploma - Completed Levels I, II, and III
Mount Royal University
Calgary, AB01.1995
Skills
- Teaching & Instruction – demonstrates techniques for adaptations/modifications of learning materials and curriculum through many years of teaching/assisting children with various exceptionalities
- Teamwork & Communication– collaborates closely with parents, teaching assistants, speech and occupational therapists, psychologists, and administrators to develop and maintain effective partnerships
- Technical Skills – Familiar with a variety of strategies and tools for teaching to a diverse learning population: Serve and Return Interaction, Picture Exchange Communication System, American Sign Language – Level 1 & 2, Functional Behaviour Analysis, Discrete Trial Training, Sensory Integration, Emotional Regulation, and Assistive Technologies
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Certification
- Permanent Teaching Certification - Alberta - 2013
Timeline
Grade 1 Teacher (1.0 FTE)
Rundle School – Calgary Board of Education
08.2023 - Current
Early Intervention (PUF) Teacher /Education Coordinator (0.8FTE)
I’m For Kids Team
09.2021 - 08.2023
Early Intervention (PUF) Teacher (1.0 FTE)
Heartland Agency Evenstart Program
09.2017 - 08.2021
Educational Program Specialist (1.0 FTE)
I’m For Kids Team
04.2014 - 08.2017
Senior Skills Classroom Teacher (0.5 FTE)
Crowther Memorial Junior High School, Golden Hills School Division No.75
09.2013 - 06.2014
Special Education Teacher (Jr. High Life Skills/PUF Early Intervention)
New Heights School
08.2011 - 08.2014
Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Degree - Specialization - Children with Disabilities
University of Calgary
Early Childhood Education and Development Diploma - Completed Levels I, II, and III
Mount Royal University
Bachelor of Education Degree - Elementary Generalist/Inclusive Education
University of Calgary
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