Toccara Taylor
South Holland
Summary
Dedicated education professional with a strong background in student development and restorative practices, seeking to leverage expertise in fostering a positive school culture. Seeking a career where my strong leadership skills will be utilized.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Aftercare Director
St John De La Salle Catholic Academy
01.2023 - Current
- Program Development: Successfully designed and implemented engaging aftercare programs that promote academic tutoring, physical activity, and creative arts.
- Staff Leadership: Led a team of educators and support staff, providing training and professional development to enhance program effectiveness and team collaboration.
- Child Safety and Well-being: Ensured compliance with safety regulations and best practices, prioritizing the health and well-being of all children in the program.
- Parent Communication: Established strong communication channels with parents and guardians, fostering a collaborative environment and maintaining transparency regarding program activities and student progress.
- Behavior Management: Developed behavioral guidelines and intervention strategies to support children’s social and emotional development in a group setting.
- Budget Management: Oversaw budget planning and resource allocation for aftercare programming, ensuring efficient use of funds while meeting program goals.
- Community Engagement: Built partnerships with local organizations to enhance program offerings and provide additional resources for students and families.
- Assessment and Evaluation: Implemented assessment tools to monitor student progress and program effectiveness, making data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
- Inclusive Environment
- Crisis Management
Kindergarten Teacher
St John De la Salle Catholic Academy
01.2023 - Current
- Curriculum Development: Experience in developing engaging and age-appropriate lesson plans and educational activities.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, essential for interacting effectively with students, parents, and staff.
- Creativity: Ability to implement creative teaching methods and incorporate arts, music, and play into the learning process.
- Empathy and Patience: Understanding and patient approach when addressing the social and emotional needs of young learners.
- Assessment Techniques: Knowledge of observational assessment methods to evaluate student progress and adapt teaching strategies accordingly.
- Team Collaboration: Experience working collaboratively with other educators, support staff, and parents to enhance the school community.
- Behavioral Support: Skilled in identifying and addressing individual student needs, including those with behavioral challenges.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Appreciation and respect for diversity, ensuring an inclusive environment for all students.
- Technology Integration: Familiarity with educational technology tools to enhance learning and engage students.
Preschool Lead Teacher
Families Together Cooperative School
Chicago
09.2019 - 04.2023
- Designed engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles.
- Managed classroom activities to foster a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with parents to support child development and school initiatives.
Project Assistant
Life Directions
07.2019 - 07.2020
- Mentored Youth
- Collected Aspen Documents
- Developed peer motivation Curriculum
- Created and managed campaigns in Sales Force
- Coordinated relationships with the Students and Community partners
Lead Preschool Teacher
Ravenswood Community Child care Center
07.2013 - 06.2019
- Create and Develop Lesson Plans
- Manage Team of Teachers and Assistants
- Input documentation into Teaching Strategies
- Support Parents and Children
- Determine CCAP eligibility
- File students demographic information
- Develop linkage agreements with the community
Owner/ Teacher
Rose Lee Home Daycare
11.2011 - 07.2013
- Created a home environment that allowed young children to thrive in education
- Designed creative lesson plans for children 6 weeks to 12yrs.
- Established relationships with parents and children.
- Maintained a safe environment
- Determined CCAP eligibility
Toddler Teacher /Assistant Director
Aunt Nancy’s Child Care
Frankfort
10.2010 - 10.2011
- Provided a safe and nurturing environment for young children.
- Developed and implemented themes for early learners.
- Classroom Management
Early Head Start Home-based Coordinator
Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Near South Side C.D.C
10.2007 - 05.2010
- Build relationship with parents and children.
- Provide support and assistance to parents in the home.
- Coordinates and implements parental involvement activities for families.
- Mentor and train parents in the field of early childhood education.
- Monitor and support Home-visitors.
- COPA Entry
- Worked with Early intervention Specialist
- Developed and created activities for children with special needs.
- Determined eligibility for CCAP families.
Family and Community Partnership Manager
Easter Seals Metropolitan Gilchrist March man Center
Chicago
06.2007 - 10.2007
- Created Partnerships with local organizations.
- Set up Linkage Agreements with Local businesses.
- Established relationship with parents and provided support.
- Organized systems for tracking overdue forms in COPA.
- Determined eligibility for CCAP parents.
Associate Teacher
Baker Demonstration School, Preschool
Wilmette
09.2004 - 06.2007
- Worked with lead teacher to establish student’s routines.
- Developed and implemented themes for early learners.
- Collaborated with lead to organize and create curriculum.
- Integrated Math and Science with a dinosaur unit for preschoolers.
- Provided a safe and nurturing environment for young children.
Co-Director
Salvation Army Camp
Evanston
06.2006 - 08.2006
- Mentored Counselors in training towards becoming successful senior counselors.
- Organized and developed weekly meeting for staff.
- Created a behavior management system for the summer program.
- Coordinated team building Activities.
Co-Artistic Director
Mission Control Enrichment camp
Chicago
06.2005 - 08.2005
- Designed and coordinated the summer curriculum.
- Assisted with the designed of the program.
- Worked with families to establish goals for students.
- Provided behavioral management through consequential behavior management systems.
Residential Counselor
YMCA Camp Benson
Mt. Carroll
06.2004 - 08.2004
- Supervised adolescent girls.
- Outreach counselor for young women.
- Taught life skills to adolescent girls and boys.
- Coordinated and executed many of the campers events.
Front Desk Receptionist
National Louis University
Evanston
08.2002 - 08.2004
- Registered students for housing and room assignment.
- Signed students and guest in and out of dormitory.
- Utilized customer service skills.
- Assisted students with special needs.
Education
Masters of Education - Educational Leadership
National Louis University
04.2026 - 04.2026
Bachelor of Arts and Science - Psychology
National Louis University
Skills
- Program development
- Team leadership
- Child safety
- Parent communication
- Behavior management
- Curriculum design
- Classroom management
- Community engagement
- Family support
- Training and mentoring
- Proficient in [software]
Certification
- Maria Wheln Leadership Program
Illinois Action for Children
Volunteer Experience
- Reading to Achieve - Tutor
- AEYC - Volunteer and training seminar attendee
- Revival Tabernacle Ministries - Teacher
- Progressive Education Conference - attendee
- CCAP Training
- QRS Training
- Infant Toddler Specialist Training
References
Available upon request.
Practicum And Observations
Baker Demonstration School, Grade 1, 10/07, 11/07, Evanston, IL, Assessed individual students to determine their understanding of a particular subject., Observed small reading groups., Supported lead teacher in teaching and classroom management.
Timeline
Masters of Education - Educational Leadership
National Louis University
04.2026 - 04.2026
Aftercare Director
St John De La Salle Catholic Academy
01.2023 - Current
Kindergarten Teacher
St John De la Salle Catholic Academy
01.2023 - Current
Preschool Lead Teacher
Families Together Cooperative School
09.2019 - 04.2023
Project Assistant
Life Directions
07.2019 - 07.2020
Lead Preschool Teacher
Ravenswood Community Child care Center
07.2013 - 06.2019
Owner/ Teacher
Rose Lee Home Daycare
11.2011 - 07.2013
Toddler Teacher /Assistant Director
Aunt Nancy’s Child Care
10.2010 - 10.2011
Early Head Start Home-based Coordinator
Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Near South Side C.D.C
10.2007 - 05.2010
Family and Community Partnership Manager
Easter Seals Metropolitan Gilchrist March man Center
06.2007 - 10.2007
Co-Director
Salvation Army Camp
06.2006 - 08.2006
Co-Artistic Director
Mission Control Enrichment camp
06.2005 - 08.2005
Associate Teacher
Baker Demonstration School, Preschool
09.2004 - 06.2007
Residential Counselor
YMCA Camp Benson
06.2004 - 08.2004
Front Desk Receptionist
National Louis University
08.2002 - 08.2004
Bachelor of Arts and Science - Psychology
National Louis University