REBECCA RATHBUN
New Westminster,Canada
Summary
Dedicated Early Childhood Educator with extensive experience at the City of New Westminster and other organizations, specializing in curriculum development and support for special needs children. Proven expertise in child development, curriculum planning, and behavior management, creating engaging and inclusive learning environments that promote literacy and motor skills. Recognized for exceptional communication skills that foster positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues, leading to enhanced classroom integration and student success. Committed to the holistic growth of preschoolers through tailored educational activities that address individual needs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Preschool Teacher
City Of New Westminster
New Westminster, Canada
09.2015 - Current
- As lead teacher in discovery playtime I have been responsible for overseeing the curriculum, themes, and overall running of the room
- I facilitate play, implementing behavioral goals for children with needs and implementing strategies that work towards integration
- Communicated with parents regularly to maintain student progress, schedule meetings, and increase overall student happiness.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Maintained attendance records.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices in early childhood education.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss students' progress and areas requiring improvement.
- Mentored new teachers within the program by providing feedback on teaching methods or strategies used in the classroom.
- Created and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum addressing learning styles.
- Controlled classroom environments with clearly outlined rules and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Observed and documented students' growth and development throughout the year.
- Organized and led activities to promote physical, mental and social development.
- Read stories to children and taught painting, drawing, and crafts.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Adapted instructional techniques according to student learning styles and progress.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Collaborated with other teachers to plan special events such as field trips or holiday parties.
- Participated in workshops, trainings and conferences to improve educational skills.
- Created safe, environment for children through implementation of appropriate activity and discipline.
- Observed children to record development.
- Participated in team meetings with administrators to review curriculum objectives or discuss school policies.
- Incorporated music, art and theater into lesson planning.
- Monitored classroom supplies inventory levels and ordered new items as needed.
- Monitored student progress to ensure cooperation and growth.
- Collaborated with colleagues on developing new classroom projects and monthly themes.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Observed children for signs of illness, injury, emotional disturbance, learning disorders, and speech problems.
- Instructed and assisted children in eating, toileting, and resting to help develop healthy personal habits.
- Updated daily bulletin board with children's artwork and accomplishments.
- Encouraged children to be understanding of others, show good manners and instructed in other social development behaviors.
- Taught children foundational skills in colors, shapes and letters.
- Identified early signs of emotional and developmental problems in children to bring concerns to parents' attention.
- Developed professional relationships with parents, teachers, directors and therapists.
- Encouraged positive behavior through positive reinforcement techniques such as praise and rewards.
- Set guidelines for teacher performance and lesson planning and oversaw compliance with established procedures.
- Removed hazards and developed appropriate boundaries and rules to create safe environment for children.
- Met with parents to discuss child behavior and academic progress.
- Promoted good behaviors by using positive reinforcement methods with children.
- Incorporated cultural diversity into lesson plans so students could learn more about different cultures around the world.
- Communicated regularly with parents regarding student progress, behavioral issues or any other concerns they may have had about their child's well-being.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
- Integrated music into everyday activities to foster creativity among students.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of children.
- Organized and maintained a safe learning environment for children, including supervision of indoor and outdoor playtime.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
Lunch Supervisor
SD40
New Westminster, Canada
10.2014 - Current
- Monitored student behavior in the cafeteria to ensure a safe learning environment was maintained at all times
Special Needs Support Staff
City Of New Westminster
New Westminster, Canada
01.2014 - Current
- Special Needs teacher for preschool playtime at Century House and QCC
- In this position I assisted the teachers in the room with working one on one with children with special needs
- Facilitating social play, and implementing behavioral goals set out by parents at home and their IEP recommendations
- I am also responsible for assisting the children with following the schedules set out by the teachers in the room
- Conferred with IEP team to assist in evaluating special education student progress
- Demonstrated patience, compassion, and empathy in various situations
- Worked one-on-one with students to reinforce learning of materials
- Created lesson plans tailored to the individual learning styles of students with disabilities
- Utilized various behavior management techniques such as positive reinforcement and redirection when needed
- Facilitated group discussions with parents, teachers, and other professionals to coordinate services for clients' unique needs
- Devised special strategies for reinforcing material or skills based upon understanding of individual students and needs
- Implemented behavioral plans designed by IEP team
- Promoted positive learning environment, making learning fun and helping children feel safe
- Leveraged behavioral management strategies to foster a positive learning environment
- Developed strategies to manage challenging behaviors in the classroom setting
- Supervised students during cooling-off time, monitoring behavior
- Incorporated sensory integration activities into daily routines to improve motor skills and reduce anxiety levels
- Fostered positive relationships between peers by encouraging socialization activities during recreational time
- Created and implemented student enrichment activities
- Implemented specialized teaching techniques to improve communication skills for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Focused on learning new skills and staying updated with industry changes
- Developed departmental objectives, budgets, policies, procedures, and strategies
- Participated in ongoing training to enhance own job skills and knowledge
Summer Camp Director
Christian Urban Camp (C.U.C.)
New Westminster, Canada
07.2016 - 08.2021
- As the Program Supervisor for this month long summer camp I was a driving force in the creation of this organization
- I was responsible for finding, adjusting, and creating a summer camp curriculum and schedule for the duration
- Arranging all aspects of the camp from the implementation to the advertising, to the funding
- I was an integral part of the creation, success, and overall management of the camp
- We were able to provide experiences for all our campers including receiving a 60 child visiting group from Hong Kong
- During the years I oversaw most things from the planning to the day to day running, and the camp flourished
- The Christian Urban Camp provided a much-needed full day schedule for parents in the community
- Managed social media accounts to advertise upcoming events or fundraisers held at the summer camp.
- Prepared articles for center newsletter to highlight special events and educational activities.
- Managed camp's budget and maintained and stocked all supplies and equipment.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Set up schedules to take advantage of instructor and staff strengths and training while optimizing coverage.
- Actively participated in community outreach initiatives designed to attract more families into enrolling their children in the summer camp program.
- Facilitated communication between different departments within organization.
- Created and implemented engaging activities, field trips and special events to diversify camp life.
- Planned curriculum and daily schedules in collaboration with professionals.
- Worked creatively with other staff to develop and carry out new themes and events for camp participants.
- Coordinated details of summer activities, scheduling field trips and visits to cultural institutions and recreational swimming pools.
- Communicated with customers to convey information about events or activities.
- Reviewed inventory levels and obtained supplies needed for lesson plans.
- Communicated and maintained personal contact with parents or guardians to discuss achievements and behavior concerns.
- Maintained a safe environment for campers by enforcing rules and regulations.
- Assigned and oversaw daily site cleanup by counselors and campers.
- Administered first aid in emergency situations.
- Supervised daily check-in and check-out for all day campers.
- Created schedules for counselors, ensuring adequate coverage at all times.
- Planned programs of events or schedules of activities.
- Was responsible for recruiting, hiring and training new counselors.
- Oversaw workforce schedules and allocated resources in order to achieve project goals.
- Complied with safety rules to minimize incidents and accidents.
- Monitored budget allocations for supplies, equipment, transportation costs and other expenses associated with running the summer camp program.
- Monitored safety and procedures pertaining to complete supervision of campers and staff.
- Communicated clearly with coworkers using radio, phone and text to stay on top of operations needs.
- Engaged children in interactive activities and organized arts and crafts, sports games and field trips.
- Designed and implemented marketing plan to increase attendance through social media, email and newsletters.
- Promoted positive work environment and staff motivation through effective communication and supportive team building activities.
- Supervised daily operations of the summer camp program.
- Created and coordinated staff schedules, daily activity schedules and field trips, maintaining proper staffing levels.
- Assisted with training camp staff on program and procedures.
- Hired, coached and directed instructors in student safety, instructional techniques, and performance requirements.
- Confirmed completion of campers' relevant enrollment and medical forms.
- Managed camp finances, setting registration fees and submitting budget requests and grant proposals to solicit funding.
- Provided guidance to counselors on how to manage difficult situations with campers.
- Organized special events such as field trips, talent shows, carnivals and barbeques.
- Inspected equipment, buildings and sites and reported maintenance issues.
- Developed and implemented camp curriculum, activities and policies.
- Assigned tasks and work hours to staff.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in services offered.
Early Childhood Educator - Lead Teacher
Cefa Early Learning
Burnaby, Canada
08.2010 - 04.2013
- Early Childhood Educator - Ages 18 months - 4 years
- Helped to open this center from the ground up
- Planned and implemented age appropriate activities for children in these specified ages
- Created a year long curriculum, for toddler age group
- Planned and implemented a year long Dance Curriculum for toddler age, as well as has a good knowledge of such Co-curricular as Yoga, Music, Visual Arts, and Drama
- Responsible for touring families through center and explaining curriculum's and how teach them
- Arranged and implemented many different field trips for our students at times whole school (100 children) and their families
- Some administrative duties
- Worked with several children with special needs, helping them to grow and learn, while liaising with the BC Center for abilities and working with parents
- Assessed each child and completed developmentally appropriate report cards twice a year for each student in my care
- Monthly newsletters, rotated between team members
- Implemented and maintained clean, safe, and orderly environment for children
- Promoted student curiosity and skills development with games and activities related to class concepts
- Taught proper eating habits and personal hygiene
- Identified children showing signs of emotional, developmental or health-related problems, communicating concerns to parents
- Assimilated arrived children to school environment by greeting them, helping them remove outerwear and selecting activities of interest to them
- Followed licensing guidelines and educational standards to provide proper care of children
- Demonstrated flexibility when working with different age groups from toddlers to pre-kindergarteners
- Administered assessments to help determine children's developmental needs and challenges
- Attended professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence
- Monitored student behavior to maintain order during meal periods and class transitions
- Mentored new teachers on best practices for managing classrooms effectively
- Identified children showing signs of emotional, developmental and health-related problems and discussed them with supervisors, parents, and guardians, and child development specialists
- Redirected disruptive children to encourage safe, positive behaviors
- Facilitated positive interactions between peers and monitored playtime activities to ensure safety of all children
- Collaborated with faculty members to evaluate and improve curriculum
- Assessed each child's developmental progress through observations and record keeping
- Taught developmentally appropriate skills to promote academic, social, and emotional growth
- Arranged indoor and outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities and safety
- Collaborated with other educators in developing curriculum objectives that meet state standards
- Created lesson plans based on knowledge of subject matter and teaching methods
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss children's progress and needs
- Encouraged language development skills through reading stories, singing songs, and engaging in conversation
- Engaged parents in meaningful conversations on their child's academic performance and behavior
- Researched and selected classroom materials and instructional tools in alignment with school requirements
- Served meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines
- Provided a safe, secure learning environment by adhering to health and safety standards
- Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order
- Supported the implementation of individual education plans for special needs students
- Arranged classroom and lessons to provide opportunities for students to observe, question, and investigate new concepts
- Provided diverse materials and resources for children to explore new concepts and learn problem-solving
Childminding Program Coordinator
Dynamic Fitness
New Westminster, Canada
04.2007 - 08.2010
- Staffing and scheduling volunteers, running the childminding department.
- Caring for children ages 0-9 years.
- I was responsible for the purchasing and inventory of all materials and supplies.
- Supervised personnel involved in delivering services under the auspices of the program.
- Managed volunteer recruitment, training, and assignments to support program initiatives.
- Evaluated performance data against established objectives to measure success of programs.
- Maintained up-to-date records related to program activities.
- Oversaw the development and distribution of program materials, ensuring quality.
- Adapted programs in response to participant feedback and changing needs.
- Prepared reports on progress towards program goals for management review.
- Identified areas where improvements can be made in order to increase efficiency or effectiveness.
- Participated in the development of new modifications to existing programs.
- Arranged fundraisers to source the necessary funds for operations.
- Monitored program budgets, expenditures, and resource utilization while making recommendations as needed.
- Explained the requirements to participants and answered any related questions.
- Created and implemented new ideas to keep the program relevant and growing.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional customer service.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
Owner/Operator/Teacher
Kindred Spirits Childcare
New Westminster, Canada
10.2005 - 09.2009
- Planned and implemented all education for children 0 - 6 years of age out of my home
- Created week long programs, each month with a different theme
- Arranged many field trips for the children
- Directed administrative activities
- Developed and monitored established goals and strategies
- Responded quickly to meet customer needs and resolve problems
- Committed to delivering excellent customer service while working in a fast-paced environment
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Monitored inventory levels and placed new orders for merchandise to keep supply well-stocked.
- Set pricing structures according to market analytics and emerging trends.
- Identified new opportunities for growth, expansion, and diversification.
Education
E.C.E. - Early Childhood Education
Humber College
Etobicoke12.1996
Skills
- Classroom management experience
- Creative lesson plans
- Learning assessment skills
- Growth portfolios
- Visual supervision
- Literacy development
- Parent communication
- Curriculum development
- Special needs support
- Early childhood education
- Social skills development
- Music and movement
- Child assessment
- Artistic expression
- Outdoor learning
- Health and safety
- Creative teaching strategies
- Sensory integration
Certification
- February 1, 2025 - CHOM - What is Pedagogical Narration and why is it and Important Component Of Curriculum Making
- February 1, 2025 - CHOM - Settler Colonial Influences in the BC Early Learning Education System
- February 1, 2025 - CHOM - The Truth about Child Development
- January 21, 2025 - CHOM - What’s Love Got To Do With It? Books, Brains, Hearts and Spirits.
- July 06, 2024 - Introduction to Emergent Curriculum Workshop
- January 14, 2024 - Level C First Aid
- February 2nd, 2024 - Nourished: Connection, Food, and Caring for Our Kids
- February 3rd, 2024 - There is No "Right Way" to Play with Acorns: Fostering an Emotionally Healthy Environment
- February 3rd, 2024 - We Are Doing It Wrong: True Kindergarten Readiness
- February 3rd, 2024 - Two-Eyed Seeing: Interweaving Western and Indigenous Worldviews
- February 3rd, 2023 - Academic Training Building a Foundation of Authentic Relationships with Children
- February 4, 2023 – The Long-Term Harm of Early Learning
- February 26, 2024 - Early Childhood Educator / Infant/Toddler / Special Needs Educator
- May, 2022 - E.C.E. Leadership & Management course - WCCRC Professional Development
- June 15th, 2022 - (Part 1) The Foundations of Inclusive Child Care - WCCRC Professional Development
- July 20th, 2022 - (Part 2) The Foundations of Inclusive Child Care - WCCRC Professional Development
- C.E.F.A. Training - C.E.F.A. Early Learning Certification
References
References available upon request.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Summer Camp Director
Christian Urban Camp (C.U.C.)
07.2016 - 08.2021
Lead Preschool Teacher
City Of New Westminster
09.2015 - Current
Lunch Supervisor
SD40
10.2014 - Current
Special Needs Support Staff
City Of New Westminster
01.2014 - Current
Early Childhood Educator - Lead Teacher
Cefa Early Learning
08.2010 - 04.2013
Childminding Program Coordinator
Dynamic Fitness
04.2007 - 08.2010
Owner/Operator/Teacher
Kindred Spirits Childcare
10.2005 - 09.2009
E.C.E. - Early Childhood Education
Humber College
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