- Interior Design
- Mindfulness Practices
- Team Sports
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
Denise Middlebrook
Jacksonville,AZ
Summary
To obtain employment with a company that will seek candidates skilled in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Sociology, Health, Management, and Customer Service.
Experienced with strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership. Utilizes these skills to drive organizational efficiency and achieve goals. Track record of fostering collaboration, effective teamwork and delivering results in dynamic environments. Professional leader with strong record of driving organizational success and fostering team collaboration. Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills that ensure consistent achievement of goals.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Director
University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Head Start Early Head Start
10.2021 - Current
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting collaboration, transparency, and open communication among team members.
- Coordinated with HR to refine recruitment strategies, attracting top talent and reducing turnover.
- Data analysis.
- Established and updated objectives and tools for overall program and each department to enhance operations.
- Represent agency at regional and state conferences, events and trainings.
- Prepared and submitted accurate, timely management and payroll reports in Kronos and UKG Workforce System.
- Build and maintain client/customer relationships.
- Researched, organized and conducted professional development trainings on topics such as classroom management, differentiated instruction, and assessment strategies.
- Organize and deliver presentations to key stake holders and community organizations.
- Enhanced communication within the organization through regular interdepartmental meetings and updates.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven approaches, making adjustments as needed to optimize results.
- Developed strategic plans to achieve organizational goals, ensuring alignment with company's mission and vision.
- Ensured regulatory compliance across all departments through diligent monitoring of policies, procedures, documentation requirements. Ensuring compliance with State/Local licensing and OHS Performance Standards.
- Collaborated with other department heads and community partners to ensure smooth functioning of organizational activities.
- Optimized productivity by providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities for staff members through targeted training programs designed to build skills essential for success in their roles.
Education Program Manager
University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Head Start Early Head Start
08.2019 - 01.2021
- Oversaw implementation of all aspects of the education service area and coaching component.
- Led curriculum review and revision processes to ensure that instructional materials remained up-to-date with current research and best practices in teaching methods.
- Coordinated extracurricular programs that enriched the educational experience for students while promoting school spirit.
- Improved overall program quality by conducting thorough evaluations of teacher performance and providing targeted feedback for improvement.
- Conduct informal and formal observations and administer classroom quality assessments (using standardized tools such as CLASS or ECERS & the Fidelity Tool)
- Monitor the quality and ensure the reliability of program data at the child, coach, center levels.
- Analyze data and make program development recommendations to leadership teams.
- Provides individual and group support for center directors in implementing educational initiatives and coaching plans.
- Plans and implements comprehensive professional development of educators through coaching, training, and mentoring initiatives.
- Ensure that centers & classrooms are equipped with developmentally age-appropriate material and equipment.
- Collaborate and coordinate with local public schools, Arkansas Head Start Association, National Head Start Association and School Readiness Programs.
- Implement research based curriculum that complies with Head Start Performance Standards and best practice.
- Developed customized learning plans to address individual student needs, resulting in improved academic performance.
- Contributed to the professional development of educators through coaching, training, and mentoring initiatives.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills of education staff.
- Conducted regular assessments of student progress, using data-driven strategies to inform instruction and improve outcomes.
Coach-Mentor/Education Coordinator
University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Head Start Early Head Start
07.2018 - 08.2019
- Assist center staff in implementing curriculum to fidelity.
- Support education leads and teachers in understanding child outcomes data and use results to plan and individualize curriculum to the specific needs of children.
- Coach and mentor teaching staff, providing constructive feedback to help them reach their goals.
- Utilized various coaching models and techniques to maximize teacher success.
- Facilitated individual and group coaching sessions and providing support to educators.
- Conduct CLASS observations using CLASS assessment tool.
- Participate in leadership activities and meetings
- Facilitate trainings.
- Record keeping and recording.
- Assist with classroom coverage.
- Assist education team in planning and implementing professional development for staff.
- Provide support to teachers needing assistance implementing IEP's and IFSP's .
Center Manager
Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA) Head Start
07.2015 - 08.2018
- Managed daily operations for optimal efficiency.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration across departments.
- Comply with Office of Head Start Performance Standards state requirements, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations, maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff members and clients alike.
- Recruiting, completion of applications; and intake for families and children
- Supervision of staff and children.
- Provide ongoing training, mentoring, and technical assistance to staff
- Conduct weekly staff meetings, working effectively and productively with all staff members.
- Monitor/Maintain licenses and permits at centers
- Make sure learning material and equipment is age appropriate and safe for children
- Maintain, monitor, and requisition supplies and material
- Conduct CLASS observations using CLASS assessment tool
- Monitor and analyze assessments.
- Ensure the completion of family and child data entry into the data base.
- Ensure curriculum is fully implemented and utilized in the classroom.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Collaborated closely with other department managers to align goals, share knowledge, and boost overall center performance.
- Checked facility, employee work and service levels to maintain compliance with agency standards.
- Promoted a culture of teamwork through effective leadership, open communication channels, and regular team-building activities.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Increased community engagement with center by organizing and promoting local events that resonated with community interests.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Center Coordinator/Director
Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission (MCAEOC) Head Start
08.2010 - 02.2013
- Provide instructional leadership and managed the day to day operations of the Early Head Start, Head Start and Migrant Seasonal Program
- Supervise staff and maintain accurate records of attendance.
- Ensured compliance with local regulations and requirements pertaining to licensing or permits related to facility use or programming.
- Building and facilities management
- Monitor/Maintain licenses and permits at centers
- Maintain current resource file for staff and parents
- Conduct Performance appraisals
- Maintain proper child/staff ratio
- Build and maintain effective relationships with parents and staff and community members
- Maintained accurate record keeping system.
- Attend professional developmental trainings and conferences.
- Provide support to families, staff, and community.
- Provide lesson feedback and curriculum support.
- Organized special events such as workshops or guest speakers that aligned with center goals while strengthening community involvement.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning, escalating major problems to manager.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring deadlines were met.
- Provided backup to front desk to step in to assist with various tasks whenever employee was absent or at lunch.
- Collaborated with department heads to develop strategic plans aligning with overall company objectives, fostering a unified approach toward shared goals.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for employees.
- Established policies and procedures for the center, creating a consistent framework for staff members to follow.
- Monitored facility maintenance needs, scheduling repairs as needed to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for participants.
- Facilitated regular staff meetings where progress updates were shared among team members.
- Maintained a clean and inviting facility by coordinating regular cleaning schedules with janitorial staff.
- Boosted team morale and productivity by organizing team-building activities and maintaining open-door policy for feedback and concerns.
Teacher
Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission (MCAEOC) Head Start
06.1995 - 08.2010
- Experienced Infant Toddler and Preschool Teacher
- Effective observation, documentation, and assessment of students progress which is critical to child outcomes.
- Provided quality teacher-student interaction.
- Maintained accurate records and data.
- Planned and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs, adapted teaching methods and materials to meet students' varying needs.
- Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and redirection.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities and exploration.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students, and the education team to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Collaborated multidisciplinary team to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
- Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through implementation of IEP and modified lesson plans.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
- Scheduled home visits and parent conferences to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
- Maintained overall safe work environment for students and staff that was conducive to learning.
Education
M.S. - Early Childhood Services
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR01.2010
B.S. - Interdisciplinary Studies
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR01.2008
A.A.S - Early Childhood Education
Arkansas Northeastern College
Blytheville, AR01.2005
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Change management
- Program management
- Program implementation
- Organizational development
- Staff management
- Relationship and team building
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Recruitment and hiring
Accomplishments
- Professional Development Specialist for Council for Professional Recognition
- PreK CLASS Reliable
- Notary Public
- Entrepreneur
- Founder of Shooting Stars Youth Group
- Efficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Virtual platforms: Zoom and Teams
Hobbies and Interests
- Spending time with family and friends
- Attending culturally diverse events
- Volunteering
- Decorating
- Cooking
- Gardening
- Listening to music
- Reading
Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate
Interests
Professional Development Specialist
I am a Professional Development Specialist for the Council for Professional Recognition. I observe CDA candidates who are in the process of earning their CDA credential.
Affiliations
- American Association of Notaries
- Council for Professional Recognition
Timeline
Deputy Director
University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Head Start Early Head Start
10.2021 - Current
Education Program Manager
University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Head Start Early Head Start
08.2019 - 01.2021
Coach-Mentor/Education Coordinator
University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) Head Start Early Head Start
07.2018 - 08.2019
Center Manager
Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA) Head Start
07.2015 - 08.2018
Center Coordinator/Director
Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission (MCAEOC) Head Start
08.2010 - 02.2013
Teacher
Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission (MCAEOC) Head Start
06.1995 - 08.2010
B.S. - Interdisciplinary Studies
Arkansas State University
A.A.S - Early Childhood Education
Arkansas Northeastern College
- CPR/AED Certification
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate
M.S. - Early Childhood Services
Arkansas State University
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