Tanya Doerksen
Vernon
Summary
Experienced Early Childhood Educator skilled in supporting families facing challenging situations. Successfully managed case loads and provided comprehensive assistance to enhance family dynamics. Demonstrated exceptional communication skills and empathy in all interactions, fostering positive relationships with both children and parents. Passionate about creating a nurturing environment for children to thrive and grow.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Early Years Family Navigator
BGC Okanagan
08.2022 - Current
- Enhanced family stability by providing comprehensive support and resources tailored to individual needs.
- Connected families with community resources such as housing assistance, financial aid programs, and educational opportunities.
- Developed strong rapport with clients, fostering trust necessary for effective intervention.
- Strengthened families'' resilience through crisis intervention, and referral services.
- Conducted thorough assessments of family dynamics and needs, developing detailed case plans to address challenges effectively.
- Empowered parents to create nurturing home environments by sharing best practices in positive discipline techniques.
- Planned, promoted and managed early years community playgroups in local and surrounding communities focusing on educating parents on importance of strong social and emotional experiences.
- Collaborated and developed strong working relationships with other early years community organizations to ensure the needs of families are being met.
Community Advisor
CCRR Vernon - BGC Okanagan
10.2021 - 08.2022
- Planned, conduct and/or participates in the delivery of drop in programs, networking, workshops and educational events for parents and child care providers.
- Collaborated with fellow staff members to implement innovative programming for diverse populations.
- Offered support and connection to various community programs within the North Okanagan.
- Respond to telephone and in-person inquiries from parents and potential or existing child care providers on issues related to child care service.
- Provided consultation to child care providers and potential providers in regards to start up, safety standards and programming. Conducts initial and follow-up visits to child care providers homes.
- Maintained the Lending Library by performing duties such as organizing resources, cleaning and disinfect equipment, inventory, and maintaining library membership, loan and return records.
- Improved community engagement by organizing and facilitating regular events and activities.
Preschool Teacher
Highroad Children's Centre
10.2010 - 06.2021
- Educated and cared for up to 18 children at a time ages 3-5 in a preschool classroom setting.
- Provided learning conditions that encourage children to investigate, invent, think “outside the box” and experiment to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Support children's play-based learning experiences that fostered age appropriate growth and development in all domains of social, cognitive, physical and emotional learning in a play based preschool.
- Created engaging and dynamic teaching circles, art explorations and spontaneous learning experiences that are open-ended and build upon the mind of a child and coincide with BC Early Learning Framework and all principles of learning.
- Helped to create a safe, positive, inclusive and caring environment for all students with varying developmental stages and abilities to thrive and grow in all areas of learning through hands-on, creative exploration.
- Supported parents as the number one influence in the child’s life and create strong bonds where the parents feel safe, understood and heard.
- Worked one-on-one with children who require extra support services within the classroom setting by creating and implementing individual learning plans and working with the families to meet needs of each specific child.
- Observed children for potential “gaps” within development and/or behavior – prepare documentation and reports required for individuals and collaborate with manager, other staff members, parents and outside agencies.
- Worked closely with such agencies as Fraser Valley Child Development Center and other professionals to build and implement specific learning plans and outcomes.
- Other duties include preparing a monthly calendar for parents, organizing semi-annual fundraisers, field trips and parent-connection events, and monthly Scholastic orders.
Education Assistant
Highroad Academy
11.2008 - 12.2009
- One-on-one and in classroom setting, support for an elementary aged male with high functioning ASD including behavior management, social learning program and development of organizational skills.
- One-on-one support for a fully dependent non-verbal, pre-teen female including a tactile and oral stimulation program, daily physiotherapy, tube feeding and bolus, personal care.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Supported teachers in maintaining a safe learning environment by monitoring student behavior during class transitions and extracurricular activities.
- Took attendance, graded assignments, and maintained student records to assist teachers with administrative tasks and maintain smooth daily operations.
- Supervised students in common areas such as cafeteria, library, and playground.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
Summer Teen Program Staff
Chilliwack Society for Community Living
06.2009 - 08.2009
- Worked with a team to plan, implement and supervise a variety of daily activities and social experiences for a group of 5-10 adolescent and teenaged individuals who possess a variety of physical and/or developmental disorders and delays.
Early Childhood Assistant/After-School Care Worker
Sardis Children's Centre
08.2006 - 11.2008
- Supervised both the kindergarten and before-and-after school care programs.
- Planned monthly age-appropriate activities for up to 35 elementary-aged children, both typical and children with extra support needs.
- Developed behavior plans and held behavior meetings with parents of extra support children.
- Worked closely with outside agencies in regards to child development and individual needs.
- Ensured a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for all children by adhering to strict safety guidelines and procedures.
Education
Special Needs Educator Certificate
Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute
06-2026
Early Childhood Care and Education Certificate -
MTI College
Chilliwack, B.C.07.2013
Early Childhood Education Certificate Program - undefined
University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack, B.C.02.2012
Licensed Child Care: Responsible Adult Certificate - undefined
University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack, B.C.12.2008
Skills
- Behavioral support
- Collaboration
- Trauma-informed care
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Relationship building
Certification
First Aid & CPR/AED level C - Canadian Red Cross, expiry 05-05-2026
Food Safe Level 1, expiry 10-28-2028
Parent-Child Mother Goose Certificate
ASQ-3 & ASQ-SE certificate training
Behaviour Interventionist Basic Training, Autism BC
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers Program
Trauma Informed Practice Training: Level 1
Mental Health First Aid for Adults Who Interact with Youth, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Timeline
Early Years Family Navigator
BGC Okanagan
08.2022 - Current
Community Advisor
CCRR Vernon - BGC Okanagan
10.2021 - 08.2022
Preschool Teacher
Highroad Children's Centre
10.2010 - 06.2021
Summer Teen Program Staff
Chilliwack Society for Community Living
06.2009 - 08.2009
Education Assistant
Highroad Academy
11.2008 - 12.2009
Early Childhood Assistant/After-School Care Worker
Sardis Children's Centre
08.2006 - 11.2008
Early Childhood Education Certificate Program - undefined
University of the Fraser Valley
Licensed Child Care: Responsible Adult Certificate - undefined
University of the Fraser Valley
Special Needs Educator Certificate
Pacific Rim Early Childhood Institute
Early Childhood Care and Education Certificate -
MTI College
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