MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

In my classroom, I strive to provide a learning environment that cultivates individualization, freedom of choice, concentration, independence, problem solving abilities, social interaction, and competency in basic skills; an environment which fosters the fulfillment of the child's highest potential, not just academically, but spiritually, emotionally, physically, and intellectually - as members of a family, a community, and the world.

The children are encouraged to make decisions at an early age, helping them to become problem solvers and decision makers, who can make choices and manage their time well. I feel passionate about, and see the need and the importance of, educating the young child during their most formative preschool years. I believe as Maria Montessori does - that young children are like sponges and "soak up" learning if given the information and the opportunity to "experience" it.

I believe that the teacher should model the behavior in which she so desires from the child. The teacher's attributes should display integrity, honesty, and respect, in and for herself, the child, her world. I believe that educating the young child is a process and the process will determine the product. I believe that it is crucial for the parent to be involved in their child's education process. The best way for a parent to be involved and to help provide the child a successful school year, is to support the child's school and teacher, to communicate closely with the child's school and teacher, to support the school's philosophy, to show excitement toward the child's school work and homework, and to become an active parent, involved in the child's education, not only in the classroom, but continuing the education at home." - Lois

Lois ' Resume

Lois Jean Bray Zopff
DOB: 07/09/59
phone 941-380-5027
residence: NW Jacksonville, FL
EMAIL: aChildChildrenServiceNetwork@gmail.com
web: amontessorichild.blogspot.com

 

DEGREES and CERTIFICATIONS· MONTESSORI Teacher’s certification

• A.A. (Associate's of Arts degree) Graduated on Dean’s List, Edison State College, 2010
• Currently working toward (in last semester) Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and plan to continue on to UNF to pursue a Masters Degree in Exceptional Student Education.
• C.D.A. Equivalency certification (Child Development Associate)
• F.B.I. Background check / local law check
• C.P.R. - adult and infant/child
• First Aide - adult and infant/child
• W.S.I. (Water Safety Instructor / Swim Instructor)
• VPK Teacher's Credentials
• DCFS Staff Credentials
• DCFS Director’s Credentials

Courses taken related to this profession (with a final grade of "A" or "B")

• Diversity for Educators
• Teaching Profession
• Educational Technology
• Child Psychology
• Logic, Reasoning and Critical Thinking
• Speech
• Child Growth & Development I & II
• Intro to Early Childhood Education
• Overview of Early Childhood Curriculum
• Program Development in Early Childhood Education
• Special Needs in Early Childhood Education
• Classroom Management / Child Guidance
• Early Childhood Learning
• Understanding Young Children
• Positive Guidance Behavior Management
• American Sign Language
• Classroom Management in Early Childhood Education
• Cognitive Experiences for Young Children
• Children's literature in Early Childhood Education
• Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education

Curently taking courses:

• Observing and Recording Child Behavior
• Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Young Child 
• Creative and Affective Experiences for Young Children
• Relations across Family, School, Community
• Language Principals for Teachers
• American Sign Language II

Courses taking next semester:

• Integrated Science and Math for Young Children
• Teaching Internship

SPECIAL TRAINING & SKILLS
· Teaching children, Montessori Education
· Tutoring all subjects, grades Pre-K-6th
· The study of Brain development
· Brain injury research and assessment
· Teaching the learning disabled child
· Teaching the physically challenged child
· Parenting and nurturing facilitator
· Baby massage coach
· Swim and dive instructor and coach
· Sign language
· Teaching Art and Music
· Teaching Physical Education
· Reporting to children’s services
· Classroom Management
· Public relations and Fund raising
· Business Math
· Business Communications
· Business and Office Management
· General use of office equipment
· Typing and Computer Skills
· Telephone communication
· Technology, Digital media, software
· Applications, Web design
· Working with various media
· Building newsletters, spreadsheets
· Curriculum mapping
· Time Management and Organization
· Filing and record keeping
· Office Management
· Keeping records of clients and students

OTHER CHILD RELATED COURSES TAKEN:

• State required 40 hours (30+10), DCFS, prior to and up to year 1985.
• Staff Credential, Formal Education, DCFS. #4093385. 07/06/2012.
• Continuing Education. 10 hours, FAEYC, most recent - 2012, plus every year prior.
• (VPK) Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors, DCFS, 2012
• (VPK) English Language Learners in the VPK Classroom, DCFS, 2012
• (VPK) Language and vocabulary in the VPK Classroom, DCFS, 2012
• Director's Credentials, DCFS, 2012
• "Early Literacy for Children ages birth to three",  DCFS, 09/05/2011.
• “Behavioral Observation and Screening”. 6 hours. DCFS. #3848410. 10/08/2011
• "Child Care Facility Rules & Regulations”, “Health, Safety and Nutrition”, “Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect” &” Child Growth and Development” & “Behavioral Observation and Screening”. DCFS. 08/17/2010
• "Family Child Care Home Rules & Regulations”. 10 hours. DCFS. 08/17/2010
• “Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Children”. 10 hours. DCFS. #00502. 07/01/1998
• “Pre-School Appropriate Practices”. 10 hours. #3530746. 07/01/1998
• “Preschool Module”. 10 hours. DCFS. 06/15/1998
• “Introduction to Child Care” (Issued until Aug 2, 2006) 20 hours. #1541769. 08/01/1985
• "Child-care and Kindergarten workshop”. 23 hours. Weekday Early Education of Training. 07/17/1987
• "Child-care and Kindergarten workshop”. 28 hours. Weekday Early Education of training. 08/02/1985
• ·"Child-Care Training Course” (original state 20 hour course). 20 hours. HRS. #020436. 08/01/1985
• "Child Behavior Management Workshop”. 10 hours. Hillsborough College. 09/15/1984
• Many Annual In-Service hours (CEUs), yearly. 1977-2000

Member Affiliation:
`NAEYC
`Florida AEYC
`North FLorida AEYC
`Southern EC Association
`NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers)
`Find My Organizer.com
`Faithful Organizers
`NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization)
`QC Design school

EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND·

• 08/2012-12/2012 - Lead VPK teacher, Julington Creek Academy, Fruit Cove, FL
• 2012 - Nanny to 3 month old. Claire and John Casey, Jacksonville, FL.
• 2010-2011: Lead teacher - 3-yr. old classroom, Seacoast Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL.
• 2009-2011: Respite Care-giver for Family Network Respite Care, FL (caring for children with special needs, mostly Autism). Parents: Mr. Joe and Mrs. Lenor Scott &  Mr. Pete and Mrs. Margaret Azouz.
• Currently: Personal Organizer with ORGANIZIEITCOACH and Event & Wedding Planner with aTIME2 REMEMBER
• Currently: (part-time in summer) SWIM Instructor, Learn2SwimSafe
• Currently: (very little @ part-time) Infant Baby Massage Coach - MyInfantBabyMassage
• Currently: (very little @ part-time) Parenting/Nurturing Facilitator/Advisor - Parenting A Child
• Currently: (very little @ part-time) Tutoring, grades Pre-K - 6th grade
• Currently: (very little @ part-time) House sitting, extended care for children and pets.
• 2010-2011: Nanny to 3 children: ages 3 years, 3 years, and 8 months. Mrs. Rina Remmers.
• 2008–2010: Personal Assistant and au-pair to Physician’s family, Port Charlotte, FL
• 2008–2010: Assistant to Office Manager, Charlotte Cardiovascular Institute, Port Charlotte, FL
• 2004–2008: Owner & Director, A CHILD, Private Montessori school, Port Charlotte, FL  Directing a small private Montessori morning program with 11 children ages 3 & 4, managing Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, hiring and training teachers, public relations, record keeping.
• 1999-2004: Preschool department Head, Preschool Lead teacher, Laurel Oaks Academy, Port Charlotte, FL.  Job duties included:  Lead teacher, teaching children ages 2–3 years of age in a Montessori school, lesson plan development, hiring and training teachers, public relations, record keeping.
• 1995-1999: CEO, Director and manager, A Child’s Place Learning Center, Port Charlotte, FL. Directing a child-care center of 71 children ages 6 weeks-6th grade, managing Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, hiring and training teachers, public relations, record keeping.
• 1995-1999: President /CEO, A Child’s Place of Southwest Florida, Inc., Port Charlotte, FL
• 1989-1995: WORLD-BOOK school service district manager, S.W. FL.
• Teaching library, dictionary and encyclopedia skills to 3rd, 4th, 5th grade students.
• 1989-1991: Montessori Teacher, Montessori School of Charlotte County, Pt. Charlotte, FL    Job duties included: Lead teacher, teaching children ages 3–5 years of age in a Montessori school, lesson plan development, training assistant teachers, public relations, record keeping.
• 1989-1995: Parenting nurturing instructor/facilitator, baby massage coach, IDEAS, Inc., Ft. Myers, FL. Training parents of Preschoolers – teenagers in parenting skills, keeping records and filing reports to Children and Family Services and the court system.
• 1986-1988: Children's Supervisor, Child-care director, The Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa, FL. Directing a child-care center in a homeless shelter, training parents in parenting skills, reporting to and working closely with State Agencies and Services.
• 1986-1988: Parenting instructor and facilitator, State of Florida H.R.S., Tampa, FL
• 1985-1986: Special needs Teacher, National Academy of Child Development, Tampa, FL. Teaching children with learning and physical disabilities, assisting children in speech therapy and physical therapy.
• 1985: Physical Ed. coach, Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday School, Tampa, FL
• 1984-1985: Kindergarten Teacher, Art Teacher, Music Teacher, Palnez School, Tampa, FL
• 1983-1985: Tutor, all grades, Florida Baptist Children's Home, Lakeland, FL
• 1983-1984: Swim Instructor/ Swim Coach, Florida Baptist Children's Home, Lakeland, FL
• 1983-1984: Director, Child-care center, Cross Roads Baptist Church, Lithia, FL. Directing a child-care center of 50 children, managing Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, hiring and training teachers, public relations, record keeping.
• 1981-1983: Montessori internship, Montessori teacher, MIA, Tampa, FL. Teaching children ages 2 – 6 years in a Montessori school while I simultaneously studied the Montessori curriculum during my internship.
• 1980 – 1981: 1st grade special reading teacher, Pinecrest Elementary School, Lithia, FL
• 1979-1980: 2nd grade special reading teacher, Padgett Elementary School, Lakeland, FL
• 1978-1979: Assistant Kindergarten Teacher, Gibsonia Church Child Development Center, Lakeland, FL
• 1977-1979: Au-pair to Family with 2 children, ages 2 & 6, Lakeland, FL
• 1977–1978: Teacher to three year old children, Gibsonia Church Child Development Center, Lakeland, FL

COMMUNITY and CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
· American Cancer Society, National and Charlotte County, FL – 1994-2010
· Guardian Ad Litem Advisory Board member, Charlotte County Courts, FL – 1994-1996
· Guardian Ad Litem Advisory Board President, Charlotte County Courts, FL – 1995
· Healthy Start Board, Charlotte County, FL – 1993
· Junior Woman’s Club of Charlotte County, FL, Education President, - 1991- 1995
· Nursery coordinator, First Christian Church, Port Charlotte, FL – 1994-1998
· Preschool director, First Christian Church, Port Charlotte, FL – 1994-1998
· National MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) coordinator, Charlotte County, FL–1995-1998
· Associational (Tri-county) Acteens (Teen girls) Director, FL – 1992-1993
· Junior Woman’s League, Tampa, FL – 1987-1989
· Guardian Ad Litem Child Advocate, Hillsborough County Courts, Tampa, FL – 1987
· Youth Director, Alafia Baptist Church – 1980-1982
· Acteens (Teen girls) Director, Alafia Baptist Church – 1980-1982
· Girls Club, Big sisters, volunteer, mentor and sponsor, Lakeland, FL – 1977-1979
 

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

· Currently - Florida State College, Jacksonville, FL· 2007- 2010 and 1993-1994 - Edison State College, Punta Gorda, FL
· 1986 - The National Academy Of Child Development, Redlands, CA. Obtained certification in the Study of brain injury and Assessment.
· 1986 - The Institute for The Achievement of Human Potential, Philadelphia, PA. Obtained certification in Special Studies in the Field of infant development and brain research, specifically brain development and brain disorders.
· 1984-1986 - The National Academy Of Child Development, Tampa, FL . Studying brain development with extensive research in brain injury and assessment, Interning in an institution teaching brain injured children while pairing these children with gifted students in a Montessori classroom.
· 1984 - Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL. Child Development course.
· 1983 - Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL. Music Appreciation and Music Theory.
· 1983 - The University of South Florida, Tampa . Early Childhood Education.
· 1983 - Obtained Montessori Teacher certification: Montessori International Association.
· 1981-1983 - Montessori International Association, Tampa and Columbia, SC; St. Croix, Virgin Islands based.
· 1977-1980 - Hillsborough College, Tampa, FL

PERSONAL REFERENCES
- Mr. Joe & Mrs. Cristina Muskus - 414.248.4405 (current P/T nanny to 1 year old & 3 year old) old & - Mrs. Claire Casey - 847.269.2581, clairecasey@gmail.com (most recent F/T nanny job -6 mo. old)
- Mrs. Maria Heise – 941.258.2939, mheise17@gmail.com (I was Nanny to 3 year old)
· Mrs. Rina Remmers – 407.928.3529, redfishbluefish@aol.com (Was Nanny to 8 month & 3 yr old)
· Dr. Dana Planer - docplaner@yahoo.com (Was overnight Nanny to 8 month & 4 yr old twins)
· Mr. Russell and Mrs. Angela Kirshy - 941.456.2737 (taught children in preschool & overnight sat)
· Ms. Julie Killeen – 941.681.6251, jksnjuk@aol.com (tutored her 6th grade daughter)
· Rev. John & Mrs. Jennifer Jordan – 941.766.1776, celebratingchrist@comcast.net (my Pastor)
· Mrs. Chris Katz - 941.235.0930, KATZCORNER@comcast.net (taught child in preschool & overnight sat)
· Mr. Bob and Mrs. Tricia Stiekes – 941.625.0174 , btdl1@juno.com (taught their 3 children in private preschool)
· Mr. Joe and Mrs. Lenor Scott – 941.429.4242, 941.626.5902, . JoeandLenor24@verizon.net, (Respite care client – 3 year old daughter with autism and 2 year old sister)
· Mr. Pete and Mrs. Margaret Azouz– 941.240.6654, msazouz@verizon.net, (Respite care client – 3 year old son with autism and 2 year old sister)

Please feel free to contact my references or to contact me for any other information needed.

Lois J. Bray Zopff
phone 941-380-5027

EMAIL: aChildChildrenServiceNetwork@gmail.com