Michelle Higgins
Longmont,CO
Summary
Welcoming Lead Preschool Teacher with creative abilities in academic and Social emotional development. Certified in CPR and first aid. Adept at organizing educational opportunities for children between the ages of 3 and 5. I am a highly collaborative teacher and am committed to forming relationships with children and families.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Preschool Teacher
Boulder Country Day School
07.2022 - Current
- Designed and implemented daily lesson plans in all content areas for a class of 16 students.
- Implemented lesson differentiation based on ongoing formative assessment.
- Gave one-on-one attention to children while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Maintained organized, fun and interactive classroom to help children feel safe.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
- Created safe and nurturing learning environment for preschoolers.
Lead and Assistant Art Teacher
SWEETRIDGE STUDIOS
01.2016 - Current
- Assistant and lead teacher for art camps for children ages 5-12.
- Assist lead teacher in art camps that include a variety of mediums combined with activities such as yoga and swimming.
- Have designed and implemented lesson plans for teaching students in small and large groups to wet felt.
- Accompany lead teacher and groups of students to public swimming pool and assist in yoga classes.
ASSISTANT PRESCHOOL TEACHER
BOULDER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
07.2020 - 07.2022
- Assist in all areas of a preschool class of 15 three-year old's including planning and implementing daily lessons, art projects and social emotional support.
- Guiding students towards independence using the Love and Logic technique.
- Teaching basic handwriting skills using the Handwriting Without Tears method.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
ST. VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOLS
08.2019 - 07.2020
- Familiarize and implement lesson plans left by lead teachers.
- All aspects of classroom management.
- Development of 'last minute' activities as needed.
- Lead classrooms of various ages in large and small group discussions.
- Long-term sub position as a preschool para: Spark! Preschool.
- Teach basic skills such as number, color and letter recognition.
- Organized group activities for the children such as games and storytelling.
- Leads children in group discussion activities.
- Aided the lead teacher in introducing the students to the importance of discipline and following rules.
- Guides children to the importance of healthy nutrition and play.
- Helps children develop socialization skills through group interaction.
- Maintains clean and safe environment for children.
FIELD PLACEMENT
COLORADO HISTORY CENTER
11.2018 - 12.2018
- Designed and guided fourth grade classes on field trip tours of exhibits including Keota, Silverton, Dust-bowl and Amache.
- Collaborated with cooperating teacher and peers to develop lesson plans based on San Luis Valley, utilizing museum artifacts including primary and secondary sources.
- Observed and implemented a variety of classroom management skills in a variety of settings.
FIELD PLACEMENT
MORTENSEN ELEMENTARY
02.2018 - 03.2018
- Observed cooperating teacher and learned techniques to create a highly productive and community-based classroom.
- Designed and led number talks based on re-grouping with triple digit numbers.
- Developed and taught lessons with math focus including introduction to finding factors and multiples.
PARAPROFESSIONAL
POLARIS AT EBERT (DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
08.2014 - 01.2019
- Worked to support both teachers and students in grades K-5.
- Designed and taught electives classes including Legos (K-2), Ball games (1-3), Foreign Films (3-5) and Dissection (4-5).
- Served on Collaborative School Committee working with administration, teachers and parent volunteers.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO05-2019
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO01.2028
Skills
- Communication
- PATHS program
- Fundations
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Responsive Classroom
- Love and Logic
- PDIS rating of 5
Timeline
Lead Preschool Teacher
Boulder Country Day School
07.2022 - Current
ASSISTANT PRESCHOOL TEACHER
BOULDER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
07.2020 - 07.2022
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
ST. VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOLS
08.2019 - 07.2020
FIELD PLACEMENT
COLORADO HISTORY CENTER
11.2018 - 12.2018
FIELD PLACEMENT
MORTENSEN ELEMENTARY
02.2018 - 03.2018
Lead and Assistant Art Teacher
SWEETRIDGE STUDIOS
01.2016 - Current
PARAPROFESSIONAL
POLARIS AT EBERT (DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
08.2014 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Human Development
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Master of Arts - Early Childhood Special Education
University of Colorado Denver
Current Licensure
- Elementary, 2019-01-01
- Early Childhood Education, 2020-01-01
Personal - Description
I am a proud Colorado native and enjoy spending my free time following my creative pursuits including encaustic painting, resin art, reading, baking and enjoying the outdoors. I am the proud parent of a very active nine year old boy and we love to ride bikes, draw and cook together. I love to bring my passion for art into the classroom and am committed to being a life long learner.