Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Mary Ortman

Dunlap

Summary

Dynamic Early Childhood Educator Assistant at St. Thomas Grade School, skilled in child development and emotional support. Successfully implemented engaging, age-appropriate activities that enhanced cognitive growth and fostered strong parent-teacher communication. Committed to maintaining a safe, organized environment while promoting health and hygiene standards for optimal learning experiences.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience

Work History

Early Childhood Educator Assistant

St.Thomas Grade School
08.2023 - Current
  • Assisted in implementing daily educational activities to foster children's development and learning.
  • Supported lead educators in maintaining a safe and engaging classroom environment for students.
  • Collaborated with team members to prepare instructional materials and resources for lessons.
  • Observed and documented children's progress, contributing to individualized learning plans.
  • Engaged children in play-based learning activities, promoting social and emotional skills.
  • Helped maintain cleanliness and organization of classroom spaces, ensuring a healthy learning environment.
  • Assisted with routine administrative tasks, including attendance tracking and inventory management of supplies.
  • Supported early language development through storytelling, reading books, and engaging children in interactive conversations.
  • Managed daily routines efficiently, ensuring smooth transitions between different activities throughout the day without any loss of instructional time.
  • Created a nurturing and safe environment for children to grow emotionally, socially, and academically.
  • Enhanced children''s learning experiences by incorporating engaging play activities and age-appropriate educational materials.
  • Established strong relationships with families through open communication channels and participation in school events.
  • Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
  • Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing education strategies.
  • Demonstrated specific skills and activities for students to improve understanding and take excess workload off teachers.
  • Maintained and operated classroom equipment to maximize use and lifespan.
  • Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.

Private Nanny

Private
05.2025 - 08.2025
  • Provided tailored educational activities to promote cognitive development and creativity.
  • Created daily schedules to ensure consistency and structure in routine.
  • Implemented positive discipline techniques to encourage good behavior and emotional growth.
  • Coordinated playdates and group activities to enhance social skills among children.
  • Monitored health and safety standards, ensuring a clean and secure environment.
  • Communicated regularly with parents regarding child progress and concerns.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents, maintaining open communication about each child''s progress and needs.
  • Oversaw household duties such as light housekeeping tasks or running errands when required.
  • Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
  • Prepared healthy, age-appropriate snacks and meals.
  • Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.
  • Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
  • Established clear expectations for behavior, setting boundaries to create a respectful atmosphere within the home.
  • Led indoor and outdoor activities to entertain and occupy children.
  • Enhanced children''s emotional well-being by providing consistent and nurturing care.

Private Nanny

Private
01.2021 - 08.2024
  • Assisted with homework and academic support, fostering a love for learning.
  • Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
  • Established lasting, professional connections with families and children by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback.
  • Communicated with children at age-appropriate levels to encourage understanding and foster relationships.
  • Promoted healthy eating habits by preparing nutritious meals and snacks on a daily basis.
  • Implemented daily routines for optimal child development and created a structured environment.
  • Conducted regular safety checks and maintained a clean, hazard-free environment for the children at all times.
  • Organized engaging activities that incorporated age-appropriate educational components for cognitive development.
  • Adapted caregiving approaches based on individual needs of each child to provide personalized support.
  • Assisted with homework and school projects, fostering a love for learning in the children.
  • Collaborated with parents to establish effective bedtime routines, resulting in improved sleep patterns for the children.
  • Supported emotional growth by helping children navigate conflicts with empathy and understanding while teaching problem-solving skills.
  • Provided safe transportation to and from school, extracurricular activities, and other events.
  • Monitored screen time usage to promote healthy balance between technology use and offline activities in daily life.
  • Encouraged social interactions through playdates, group outings, and community events.
  • Planned special outings or themed days around children's interests or areas of study in their school curriculum.
  • Taught children everyday skills and language.
  • Facilitated relationships with children and parents by developing caring and structured home environments.
  • Coordinated schedules between multiple families when working as a nanny share provider to ensure seamless childcare transitions throughout the week.
  • Managed medical appointments, ensuring regular check-ups and vaccinations were up-to-date for each child.
  • Taught children basic life skills, manners and personal hygiene.
  • Assisted with light housekeeping duties as well as running errands.
  • Transported children to and from school, medical appointments, and extra-curricular activities.
  • Provided developmentally appropriate activities for children.
  • Transported children to and from activities using personal or family vehicle.
  • Helped children complete homework assignments and school projects.
  • Supervised children on playground to help develop physical and social skills.

Daycare Teacher

Cadence Academy Preschool
06.2016 - 02.2023
  • Developed engaging lesson plans to promote cognitive and social development in children.
  • Implemented daily activities that fostered creativity and collaboration among students.
  • Monitored children's progress, providing feedback to parents regarding developmental milestones.
  • Led classroom management strategies to maintain a positive and structured learning environment.
  • Trained new staff on educational practices and classroom protocols to ensure consistency.
  • Evaluated teaching methods, enhancing curriculum effectiveness through innovative approaches.
  • Established strong relationships with families, promoting open communication about child development.
  • Sanitized toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
  • Provided a safe and nurturing environment for children, regularly monitoring indoor and outdoor spaces for potential hazards.
  • Actively encouraged children to develop their communication, problem-solving and social skills.
  • Maintained tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
  • Developed strong relationships with parents through regular communication about their child''s progress and needs.
  • Assisted in preparation of meals and snacks to provide children with proper nutrition.
  • Oversaw daily transitions between various activities such as snack time, outdoor playtime, naptime ensuring smooth operation of daily schedule.
  • Instructed children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toileting.
  • Utilized positive reinforcement strategies to encourage appropriate behaviors among students while minimizing disruptions or conflicts.
  • Gathered materials and resources to prepare for lessons and activities.
  • Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
  • Guided students through daily routines, instilling a sense of responsibility and independence within each child.
  • Improved classroom management by implementing clear expectations, consistent routines, and age-appropriate rewards systems.
  • Intervened in disruptive behavior, using positive reinforcement strategies to redirect and calm children.
  • Documented behavior, development and learning of children to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
  • Enhanced children''s emotional development through empathetic communication and active listening techniques.
  • Taught hand washing and proper use of utensils to promote good hygiene and etiquette habits.
  • Increased daycare students'' social skills by incorporating group activities and cooperative play into daily routines.
  • Maintained accurate documentation of student progress, behavior incidents, and parent-teacher conferences for review as needed.
  • Collaborated with fellow daycare teachers to create a cohesive educational experience across all classrooms within the center.
  • Implemented creative art projects to encourage self-expression and fine motor skill development among young children.
  • Led small group instruction tailored to each child''s unique abilities and interests, ensuring personalized attention during learning activities.
  • Maintained open lines of communication with other staff members regarding any concerns or updates on individual students'' progress.
  • Fostered critical thinking skills in daycare students through age-appropriate problem-solving exercises during circle time activities.
  • Supported diverse learners by adapting teaching methods to meet individual student needs and learning styles.

Private Nanny

Private
04.2019 - 06.2019
  • Provided personalized care and support for children, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
  • Developed and implemented engaging educational activities to promote cognitive development.
  • Coordinated daily schedules, balancing educational, recreational, and developmental needs of children.
  • Maintained open communication with parents regarding children's progress and well-being.
  • Managed household tasks including meal preparation, laundry, and organization to support family routines.
  • Fostered positive relationships with children through active listening and empathetic engagement.
  • Monitored behavioral patterns, implementing strategies to encourage positive habits and social skills development.
  • Mentored new caregivers on best practices in child care and safety protocols.
  • Facilitated creative expression through art projects, imaginative play, storytelling sessions, and more.
  • Maintained detailed logs of daily activities, milestones achieved, and any behavioral or health concerns that arose during care hours.
  • Monitored children's play activities to verify safety.
  • Developed games and activities using arts and crafts to support learning and verbal skills.
  • Organized activities that enhanced children's physical, emotional, and social well-being.
  • Supervised children engaged in physical activity, learning and social skills with peers.
  • Encouraged children to be understanding and patient with others.

Education

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Care And Education

Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Skills

  • Health and hygiene
  • Classroom organization
  • Age-appropriate activities
  • Emotional support
  • Special needs support
  • Child development expertise
  • Physical activity planning
  • Curriculum planning
  • Parent-teacher communication
  • Outdoor education
  • Artistic expression
  • Creative lesson planning
  • Child assessment
  • Health and safety

Timeline

Private Nanny

Private
05.2025 - 08.2025

Early Childhood Educator Assistant

St.Thomas Grade School
08.2023 - Current

Private Nanny

Private
01.2021 - 08.2024

Private Nanny

Private
04.2019 - 06.2019

Daycare Teacher

Cadence Academy Preschool
06.2016 - 02.2023

Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Care And Education

Illinois Central College

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Mary Ortman