Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Hi, I’m

VARENKA SCHWARZ

Ladysmith

Summary

Creative, compassionate, and energetic Early Childhood Educator devoted to offering diverse activity plans and experiential learning opportunities to enhance individual development under a play-based and child-led scope. I have over 20 years of experience and excellent communication skills, active listening abilities, and a talent for analytical problem-solving.

I have a passion for building strong rapport with children, families, and practicum students. I have extended experience with behavioural interventions. Highly reliable, disciplined, and exceptionally organized with a strong work ethic and commitment to following the Early Learning Framework and in advocating for children's need for play in the Early Years.

I thrive as an independent self-starter and as a collaborative team player, demonstrating strong leadership qualities. I embrace challenges and actively seek opportunities for personal growth and learning.

Overview

19
years of professional experience
1
Certification

Work History

Encompass Language and Learning Center

Assistant Manager and Lead Teacher
10.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Ensure compliance with all licensing and Health and Safety regulations.
  • Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and enhance teaching skills continually.
  • Create fun and interactive learning experiences while serving as mentors to fellow teachers.
  • Evaluate practicum students performance through regular assessments, providing constructive feedback and resources for growth and improvement.
  • Provide one-on-one support to students with special needs, tailoring instruction to accommodate their unique challenges.
  • Apply play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
  • Maintain and foster positive and constructive interactions with staff, families, and children.

Living Brightside Enterprises Inc.

Operations Manager
12.2021 - 06.2024

Job overview

  • Supervised creation of exciting website pages to catch attention of customers.
  • Created Standard Operation Procedures for future staff.
  • Provided Tech Support for Customers as a Certified Specialist with the online platform, Ontraport.
  • Supervised operations of the company and managed the account of our largest client.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to maximize customer satisfaction.
  • Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
  • Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.

Nanaimo Innovation Academy

Early Childhood Educator
09.2019 - Current

Job overview

  • Educator and yoga teacher for pre-school classroom and Forest School Program.
  • Create and implement sensory and educational experiences and activities and provide support for children's emotional regulation.
  • Drive school bus for Forest Program and occasional kitchen support for Healthy Lunch Program.
  • Assist with administrative tasks and organization of materials.

Quarterway Childcare Centre/Northtown Children's Centre

Manager and ECE
02.2013 - 06.2019

Job overview

  • Managed 3 different programs preschool, daycare, out of school care with about 50 families and 8 staff.
  • Provided prospective client tours, built rapport with families.
  • Administrative work, planned programming for the month, created and implemented activities for children.
  • Drove children to/from school.
  • Taught yoga to all age groups.
  • Provided resources for staff and families regarding child rearing, respectful parenting, etc
  • Communicated best practices among on-site and external personnel to align efforts and goals.

Jolly Giant

Early Childhood Educator
11.2011 - 10.2012

Job overview

  • Planned programming for the month, created activities to support early development to infants and toddlers.
  • Maintained outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
  • Promoted sensory development by providing access to different textures.

Various

Yoga Teacher
09.2009 - Current

Job overview

  • Plan, set up and lead private and group yoga classes for beginner through advanced practitioners. Classes vary in length.
  • Teach to wide arrange of ages, levels and physical abilities.
  • Build connections with students to increase comfort with class and encourage return visits.

Selkirk College Students’ Union

Executive Director
04.2006 - 09.2011

Job overview

  • Recruited and trained new members for council.
  • Administrative tasks included record keeping, organizing meetings, activities, events, campaigns.
  • Organized referendums for growth of organization from one single campus to 4 campuses.
  • Trained and supervised 3 staff.
  • Created college newspaper, presentations for Board of Governors,
  • Liaised with College administration, bookkeeper, politician offices and community at large.
  • Implemented Extended Health and Dental plan for students.

Education

Selkirk College
Castlegar, BC

Certificate from Early Childhood Care And Education
04.2007

University Overview

Universidad Iberoamericana
Mexico City, Mexico

Bachelor of Arts from Psychology
05.2004

University Overview

  • Graduated with honours and academic excellence scholarship Awarded with the Ignatian Medal for academic merits
  • Majored in Clinical Psychology
  • Elected Member of SAPSI (Students' Association of Psychology)

Shri Kali Ashram
Goa, India

300 Hr Yoga Teacher Training from Traditional Tantra Yoga
03.2016

University Overview

Salt Spring Centre of Yoga
Salt Spring Island, BC

200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training from Classical Ashtanga And Hatha Yoga Systems
08.2009

University Overview

Skills

  • Excellent people and relationship building skills
  • Good listening skills
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Compassionate communication
  • Multi-tasking strength
  • Creative problem solving
  • Capacity to streamline processes
  • Team leadership
  • Classroom management
  • Classroom organization

Certification

  • Foodsafe Certificate - March 2021
  • Emergency Childsafe - January 2019
  • Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher Training - October 2013
  • Bookkeeping for small business - March 2009

References

References

● Mica McKee, manager of Encompass Language and Learning Center

Ph. 250-585-8868

Email: mica.ece@gmail.com

● Lara Brightside, CEO of Living Brightside Enterprises

Ph. 250-317-1267

Email: lara@livingbrightside.com

● Keely Freeman, owner of Nanaimo Innovation Academy

Ph. 250-591-7700

Email: admin@nanaimoinnovation.org

● Nicky Drummond-Hay, owner of Quarterway Childcare (and former owner of Northtown Children’s Centre)

Ph. 250-619-7353

Email: nlmork@telus.net

● Mary Anne Bryant, employee/co worker at Quarterway Childcare

Cell ph. 250-714-3000

Email: maryannebryant@gmail.com

Timeline

Assistant Manager and Lead Teacher
Encompass Language and Learning Center
10.2024 - Current
Operations Manager
Living Brightside Enterprises Inc.
12.2021 - 06.2024
Early Childhood Educator
Nanaimo Innovation Academy
09.2019 - Current
Manager and ECE
Quarterway Childcare Centre/Northtown Children's Centre
02.2013 - 06.2019
Early Childhood Educator
Jolly Giant
11.2011 - 10.2012
Yoga Teacher
Various
09.2009 - Current
Executive Director
Selkirk College Students’ Union
04.2006 - 09.2011
Selkirk College
Certificate from Early Childhood Care And Education
Universidad Iberoamericana
Bachelor of Arts from Psychology
Shri Kali Ashram
300 Hr Yoga Teacher Training from Traditional Tantra Yoga
Salt Spring Centre of Yoga
200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training from Classical Ashtanga And Hatha Yoga Systems
VARENKA SCHWARZ