Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Development
Timeline
Generic

Melissa Latcham

Lethbridge,Alberta

Summary

Experienced Early Childhood Educator offering exceptional leadership and mentoring to staff. Proven history in implementing, designing and coaching in play based curriculum and classroom design. Proficiency in programs management and systems navigation in order to provide families with addional community supports.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

Early Childhood Educator Level 3

YMCA Lethbridge
02.2023 - Current
  • Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
  • Implemented developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum for children, creating positive, and safe classroom environments.
  • Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
  • Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.

FASD Life-coach and Case Manager

McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association
02.2022 - Current
  • Successfully managed and advocated for participants and established strong rapport with individuals, families, medical professionals, natural support networks, community agencies and government workers.
  • Modified existing file management systems and performed file audits quarterly
  • Prepared and recommended professional development opportunities for personnel.
  • Debriefed and supported staff following crisis interventions with recommended follow up

Coordinator

Lethbridge Early Years Coalition
02.2021 - 08.2021
  • Planned, organized and coordinated educational events and celebrations to promote best practices in child development
  • Planned, recruited and retained Steering Committee Members, LEYC Parent Committee Members and coordinated Advisory Council bi-annual meetings
  • Assessed content for consistency and optimized social media accounts for the Lethbridge Early Years Coalition
  • Collaborated with community stakeholders utilizing empirical evidence to build awareness, mobilize knowledge into action, and advocate for the healthy development of children in their early years.

PSH Participant Support Worker

YWCA Lethbridge and District
03.2020 - 12.2020
  • Participated in development of the Womens' Residence Programs day to day operations in line with Standards
  • Worked in a multidisciplinary team to support participants using a person-centered approach including harm reduction philosophies
  • Identified challenges, analyzed information and provided solutions
  • Promoted community integration by providing extensive physical, emotional and social support.

Child Development Specialist

YWCA Lethbridge and District
10.2019 - 03.2020
  • Worked within a team environment, supporting women and children who have experienced domestic violence, as well as families in crisis, providing appropriate resources when needed, and offering client specific supports to best serve individuals
  • Tasks included daily documentation, intaking and discharging clients, implementing activity-based programming, safety planning, and participating in child-directed therapeutic play.
  • Conducted educational, behavioral and well-being assessments.
  • Communicated respectfully and thoughtfully with parents and guardians by remaining sensitive to different families' cultures, values and needs.

Nanny and Household Manager

Private Family
05.2017 - 06.2019
  • Developed and maintained appropriate schedules for 3 children, including all appointments, schooling, extracurriculars, and opportunities for growth in social, emotional, cognitive, communication and physical development
  • Provided children with a safe, fun and engaging environment where they can truly be their authentic selves and develop and thrive as individuals.
  • Communicated with children at age-appropriate levels to encourage understanding and foster relationships.

Head Preschool Teacher and Assistant Supervisor

All About Kids
01.2014 - 05.2017
  • Provided care for 22+ children preschool aged children, managed 2 support staff while coaching 8 staff on provinces recently released procedures Ontario's Early Years Policy Framework (2013) and 'How Does Learning Happen?' Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years (2014)
  • Monitored and documented students social, emotional, language/communication, cognition, and physical development and recorded in individual files.
  • Revised classroom practices in line with Durham Regions Children and Youth Charter

Education

Diploma - Early Childhood Studies

George Brown College
Toronto, ON

Skills

  • In Depth Knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practice and current Best Practices
  • Effectively Evaluates and Revises Programs and Services
  • Adept in Establishing and Facilitating Professional Development Outcomes
  • Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
  • Observation and Analysis of Children's Play to Develop Curriculum
  • Adaptability
  • Behavior Management Strategies
  • Multidisciplinary communication with families and professionals

Professional Development

Relias

  • Approaches to Person-Centered Planning in Behavioural Health
  • Identifying and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
  • Supporting Adults in the Grieving Process
  • Incident Reporting in Behavioural Health
  • Effective Communication


Leadership Development Course


Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

  • Differing Shades of Shame in Substance Use Disorders
  • Masculinity, Mental Health, and Substance Use
  • Peer Recovery Support; What Is It and Why We Need It


University of Alberta

  • Indigenous Canada


The First Nations University of Canada

  • 4 Seasons of Reconciliation-Special Campaign 2022


The University of British Columbia

  • Supporting Children and Youth Presenting with Challenging Behaviours Perceived as Aggression
  • Systemic Racism in Healthcare-The Unspoken bias and Its Impacts


Centre for Sexuality

  • Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity


Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute

  • Refugees and Trauma: Understanding and Supporting Resilience


Mental Health Commission of Canada

  • The Working Mind First Responders Primary Program


Alberta PCAP Council

  • Motivational Interviewing


CanFASD

  • Foundations of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)



Timeline

Early Childhood Educator Level 3

YMCA Lethbridge
02.2023 - Current

FASD Life-coach and Case Manager

McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association
02.2022 - Current

Coordinator

Lethbridge Early Years Coalition
02.2021 - 08.2021

PSH Participant Support Worker

YWCA Lethbridge and District
03.2020 - 12.2020

Child Development Specialist

YWCA Lethbridge and District
10.2019 - 03.2020

Nanny and Household Manager

Private Family
05.2017 - 06.2019

Head Preschool Teacher and Assistant Supervisor

All About Kids
01.2014 - 05.2017

Diploma - Early Childhood Studies

George Brown College

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Melissa Latcham