Early Childhood Educator & Family Advocate

Lizbeth Acosta

El Paso, TX 799**-*-***-*** **** ******.*********.**@*****.***

Professional Summary

Dedicated and compassionate Early Childhood Educator with experience supporting children from infancy through age eight. Skilled in creating safe, nurturing environments that promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Experienced in designing age-appropriate learning activities, guiding positive behavior, and collaborating with families and professionals to support each child’s growth. Bringing over 3 years of experience in social services as a Case Manager, with strengths in advocacy, resource coordination, and crisis intervention. Proven ability to build strong community partnerships and support individuals and families in improving their overall well-being.

Professional experience includes work in preschools, daycare centers, elementary schools, and with Workforce Solutions Borderplex through the Texas Rising Star (TRS) program. Career Goals:

• Enhancing Child Development: Foster children’s social, emotional, and cognitive skills through engaging learning experiences.

• Continuous Professional Growth: Stay updated with the latest early childhood education strategies, child psychology research, and teaching methodologies.

• Leadership & Advocacy: Advocate for quality early childhood education policies and possibly move into leadership roles such as program director or curriculum developer.

• Specialization: Develop expertise in areas such as special education, bilingual education, or behavioral intervention.

• Higher Education & Research: Pursue further certifications to contribute to early childhood education research and teacher training.

• Child development theories and best practices

• Creating interactive and play-based learning experiences

• Supporting children’s emotional and social well-being

• Collaborating with families and communities

• Incorporating technology and innovative teaching methods

• Promoting inclusive education for children with diverse needs

• Lifelong learning and professional development in early childhood education. Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Work Experience

Texas Rising Star Mentor/Coach

Workforce Solutions El Paso, TX

March 2023 to March 2026

As a Texas Rising Star Mentor I play a crucial role in supporting early childhood education providers in achieving and maintaining high-quality standards within the Texas Rising Star program. TRS is a quality rating and improvement system for Texas child care providers that participate in the state’s Workforce Solutions subsidy program. As a mentor, my primary focus is to guide, train, and support early learning programs to improve their quality of care and education for young children. Key Responsibilities:

• Program Support & Guidance: Assist child care providers in understanding and meeting the Texas Rising Star quality standards.

• On-Site Coaching & Training: Provide individualized mentoring and technical assistance, helping programs enhance curriculum, classroom environments, teacher-child interactions, and family engagement.

• Assessment Preparation: Help child care centers prepare for TRS assessments by conducting mock evaluations, identifying areas for improvement, and offering practical solutions.

• Professional Development: Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and hands-on learning opportunities for educators to enhance their teaching practices.

• Data Collection & Reporting: Track progress, document mentoring activities, and provide feedback on provider improvements.

• Collaboration: Work closely with Workforce Solutions, licensing agencies, and other early childhood professionals to support providers in achieving and maintaining TRS certification.

• Advocacy & Resource Sharing: Connect child care providers with community resources, funding opportunities, and best practices to improve program quality.

Paraprofessional Special Education

YISD El Paso, TX

October 2019 to March 2023

As a SpEd Paraprofessional I provided support to teachers and students in special education classrooms. Assisted with individualized instruction, behavioral management, and classroom activities to ensure students with disabilities receive the necessary accommodations to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. I worked closely with teachers, therapists, and other school staff to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and create an inclusive learning environment. Assisted special education teachers in implementing lesson plans, adapting instructional materials, and reinforcing learning concepts. Provided one-on-one and small-group support to students with disabilities, helping them stay engaged and complete tasks. Assisted in implementing behavior intervention plans

(BIPs) reinforced positive behaviors and using de-escalation techniques. Helped students with mobility, toileting, feeding, and other personal care needs as required. Track student progress, behaviors, and participation to provide feedback to teachers and support IEP goals. Monitor students in the classroom, hallways, lunchroom, playground, and other areas to ensure a safe and structured environment. Assisted with Communication needs by supporting students who would use alternative communication methods, such as visual schedules, speech devices, or sign language. Worked closely with teachers, therapists, and other school professionals to implement instructional strategies and provide student support. Special Education Paraprofessional

Jefferson High School El Paso, TX

March 2016 to October 2019

As a SpEd Paraprofessional I provided support to teachers and students in special education classrooms. Assisted with individualized instruction, behavioral management, and classroom activities to ensure students with disabilities receive the necessary accommodations to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. I worked closely with teachers, therapists, and other school staff to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and create an inclusive learning environment. Assisted special education teachers in implementing lesson plans, adapting instructional materials, and reinforcing learning concepts. Provided one-on-one and small-group support to students with disabilities, helping them stay engaged and complete tasks. Assisted in implementing behavior intervention plans

(BIPs) reinforced positive behaviors and using de-escalation techniques. Helped students with mobility, toileting, feeding, and other personal care needs as required. Track student progress, behaviors, and participation to provide feedback to teachers and support IEP goals. Monitor students in the classroom, hallways, lunchroom, playground, and other areas to ensure a safe and structured environment. Assisted with Communication needs by supporting students who would use alternative communication methods, such as visual schedules, speech devices, or sign language. Worked closely with teachers, therapists, and other school professionals to implement instructional strategies and provide student support. Early Head Start Teacher

Region 19 Head Start El Paso, TX

March 2010 to January 2015

As an Early Head Start Teacher my responsibility was to create a nurturing, educational, and developmentally appropriate environment for infants and toddlers in Early Head Start programs. My main focus was promoting social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development while building strong relationships with the children and their families. I also planned and implemented the curriculum, ensuring a safe and healthy classroom, and collaborating with families to support their child’s early learning.

Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate, research-based curricula that align with Head Start Early Learning. Provided individualized and group instruction to support infants’ and toddlers’ cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Fostered a secure, stimulating, and inclusive learning environment that encouraged exploration and learning through play. Maintained a clean, safe, and organized classroom to meet Head Start Performance Standards and state licensing regulations. Always ensured the health and well-being of children by following safety procedures, diapering/toileting routines, and feeding guidelines. Be very observant and make sure to always document children’s health, behaviors, and developmental progress, address concerns with parents and specialists when necessary. Make sure to build strong relationships with families, encouraged parental involvement in their child’s learning. Conducted home visits and parent-teacher conferences to discuss developmental progress and provide resources. Collaborated with families to develop and support individualized goals for their child. Conducted ongoing observations, screenings, and assessments using approved Early Head Start tools (e.g., Teaching Strategies GOLD, Ages & Stages Questionnaires). Maintained accurate records of children’s progress, attendance, and health information. Use data to adjust teaching methods and provide targeted support. Education

Education (Associate degree)

El Paso Community College El Paso, TX

August 2010 to December 2012

Early Childhood Education (Bachelor's

Walden University

Skills

Experience English Computer Literate Management Special Education Tutoring Classroom Experience Communication skills Infant Care Teaching Bilingual in Spanish Curriculum Development Autism Experience Event Planning Experience with Children Early Childhood Education Toddler Care Computer skills Computer literacy Program Development Childcare Classroom Management Customer service Spanish Organizational Skills Developmental Disabilities Bilingual Administrative Experience Math Special Needs Experience Working With Students

Certifications and Licenses

CPI Certification

Child Development Associate Certification

First Aid Certification

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