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, ILSkills
- 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