Yaa Nimako
Richmond,BC
Summary
Versatile and dedicated special needs teacher with focus on individual needs of special needs children. Empathetic and accommodating in design and implementation of hands-on activities. Exceptional skills working with teachers, parents and specialists to meet educational needs of special needs children.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Developmental Disabilities Association (Creekside Child Dev. Center, Vancouver)
- Maintaining quality care in a family-centered inclusive Group ChildCare (infants and toddlers) during Covid.
Shop Steward
BCGEU
10.2020 - Current
- Representing union members of DDA when they have complaints or grievances
- Providing information and education about the Union to members
- Interacting with members and being their ally.
Permanent Full time Early Childhood Education Teacher
Developmental Disabilities Association (Riverside Child Dev. Center, Richmond)
06.2019 - Current
- Maintaining quality care in a family-centered, inclusive Group Child Care (typical and atypical 3–5-year-olds) by adhering strictly to B.C licensing regulations
- Using the B.C Early Learning Framework to create rich experiences and environments for the children
- Supporting and facilitating transition periods and changes occurring for the child and or family
- Working in partnership with diverse families, supported child development consultants, therapists, and other staff to create on-going evaluation of plans, and objectives for children in supported spots
- Implementing strategies and activities to ensure adequate stimulation for special needs children in the daycare
- Establishing and maintaining respectful relationships and communications with families and staff about the children’s growth and development
- Providing meaningful feedback to families regarding their child’s learning, emerging skills, interests, and the purpose of activities.
Acting Manager
Developmental Disabilities Association (Riverside Child Dev. Center, Richmond)
11.2022 - 07.2024
- Being aware of what is happening throughout the day
- Mentoring casuals
- Communicating with the team
- Planning for the unexpected by prioritizing the needs and wellness of all staff members
- Reading emails from parents and responding to them
- Faxing casual timesheets to payroll; faxing attendance sheets to accounting.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Education Liaison (member of the Church board)
Brighouse United Church
04.2021 - 06.2023
- Communicating between Brighouse United Church Daycare and the Church board
- Maintains relationships between the Daycare and the church, seeks the Daycare’s welfare and provides the church with updates on the Daycare.
Teacher Assistant
Substitute ECE
11.2016 - 05.2019
- Developmental Disabilities Association Daycare centers
- Interacting with infants, toddlers as well as 3-5-year-olds (typical and atypical) children in an inclusive environment
- Implementing behavior management techniques to guide children's actions
- Teaching children developmentally appropriate practices.
Education
Professional Development Certificate in Administration & Management for Childcare: Instructor – Led -
Child Care Resource & Referral
Vancouver, BCInfant Development Supported Child-Care Development (Certificate) -
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC08.2024
Early Childhood Education: Special Needs- Inclusive Practices (Certificate) -
Douglas College
Coquitlam, BC06.2024
Diploma in Early Childhood Education -
Langara College
Vancouver, BC08.2018
M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Language and Literacy Education -
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC04.2014
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction -
George Mason University Fairfax
Fairfax, VA01.2004
Skills
- Parent Communication
- Early Childhood Education
- Cultural Competency
- Special Needs Support
Summaryofqualification
Trustworthy, flexible, responsible, takes initiative, punctual. Effective and cooperative team player. A proven communicator with some problem solving, critical thinking, organizational, leadership and analytical skills. Teaching, Classroom Management, Curriculum Development, Early Childhood Education, Tutoring
Microsoft Power point, Office, Word, and Excel
Experience with typical and atypical children.
Certification
- Early Childhood Educator, Infant/Toddler Educator, 08/2019, 08/2024
- Administration & Management for Child Care: Instructor-Led, 03/2021, 03/2021
- Emergency First Aid CPR / AED, 09/2020, 08/2025
- Special Needs Strategies in Early Childhood, 2016
- Social Emotional Enhancement & Dev for Children and Youth with Special Needs, 2018
- Autism 101, 2019
- Autism Overview, 2020
- Fostering Emotional Regulation -Emotional/Social Intelligence within Teams, 2020
- Best Practices: Behaviour Support & Intervention, 2020
- Behavioural Challenges of Autism, 2020
- The Foundations of Inclusive Child Care Training, 10/2022, ongoing
- Ways to communicate and support families for paraprofessionals, 11/2022
Coursework
- Assessment of Infants and Young children with special needs (IDSCD-UBC), 05/2023, 08/2023
- Working with families in ECE (Douglas College), 01/2023, 04/2023
- Methods for inclusive play-based programs for children with diverse abilities (Douglas College), 01/2023, 04/2023
- Special Needs preceptorship (Fraser view Child Dev. Center), 09/2023, 12/2023
- Child Development with Diverse Abilities, 09/2023, 12/2023
- Administrative Skills for ECE, 01/2024, 04/2024
- Issues and Trends in ECE, 01/2024, 04/2024
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Acting Manager
Developmental Disabilities Association (Riverside Child Dev. Center, Richmond)
11.2022 - 07.2024
Education Liaison (member of the Church board)
Brighouse United Church
04.2021 - 06.2023
Shop Steward
BCGEU
10.2020 - Current
Permanent Full time Early Childhood Education Teacher
Developmental Disabilities Association (Riverside Child Dev. Center, Richmond)
06.2019 - Current
Teacher Assistant
Substitute ECE
11.2016 - 05.2019
Developmental Disabilities Association (Creekside Child Dev. Center, Vancouver)
Professional Development Certificate in Administration & Management for Childcare: Instructor – Led -
Child Care Resource & Referral
Infant Development Supported Child-Care Development (Certificate) -
University of British Columbia
Early Childhood Education: Special Needs- Inclusive Practices (Certificate) -
Douglas College
Diploma in Early Childhood Education -
Langara College
M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Language and Literacy Education -
University of British Columbia
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction -
George Mason University Fairfax
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