Karen McKiernan
Griffin,QLD
Summary
Dynamic Senior Educator at Goodstart North Mackay, adept at curriculum design and fostering inclusive learning environments. Proven track record in mentoring educators and enhancing student engagement through innovative teaching strategies. Committed to holistic child development and building strong relationships with families to support student success.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Educator
Goodstart North Mackay
North Mackay, QLD
02.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans that enhanced student understanding and fostered a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with colleagues to assess student progress, ensuring targeted support and tailored instruction for diverse learning needs.
- Mentored junior educators, sharing best practices and promoting professional development to strengthen teaching strategies across the team.
- Utilized educational technology to facilitate interactive learning experiences, resulting in increased student engagement and participation.
- Established strong relationships with families, providing ongoing communication and support to enhance student success and well-being.
- Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in the learning process.
- Participated in professional development workshops, continuously refining instructional techniques and staying current with educational trends and methodologies.
- Facilitated effective communication among faculty, staff, administrators, parents and community members.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to meet the needs of all learners in the classroom setting.
- Collaborated with colleagues on research projects related to education topics such as literacy and numeracy initiatives.
- Created and managed lesson plans to ensure student engagement and learning objectives were met.
- Provided guidance to teachers on pedagogical approaches based on best practices.
- Monitored class performance through observations, assessments and feedback loops.
- Promoted a positive environment that encourages creative thinking and problem solving skills.
- Communicated with parents and guardians about student daily activities, behaviors and related issues.
- Designed curriculum, lesson plans and instructional materials for classroom teaching.
- Planned classroom activities to enable students to work independently, in small groups and in large groups.
- Encouraged students to explore learning opportunities while persevering through challenging tasks.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Engaged students through lecture and discussion, increasing classroom interaction to build inclusive learning environment.
- Performed student background reviews to ascertain learning deficiencies and strengths to develop tailored lessons based on student needs.
- Identified and documented learning achievements by reporting outcomes, performance information and program adjustments used to boost comprehension.
OSHC Educator
Mary McKillop Childcare NQ
Proserpine, QLD
06.2023 - 02.2024
- Developed and implemented engaging educational programs, enhancing children's social skills and creativity in group settings.
- Facilitated inclusive activities that promoted teamwork and cooperation among diverse age groups, fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Monitored and assessed children's progress, providing individualized support to ensure developmental milestones were met effectively.
- Collaborated with parents and caregivers to communicate children's achievements and areas for improvement, strengthening community relationships.
- Trained and mentored new educators, sharing best practices to enhance overall program quality and team performance.
- Organized and led recreational activities that encouraged physical health and emotional well-being, contributing to holistic child development.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment, adhering to health and safety standards to ensure student well-being at all times.
- Supervised a group of 10-15 children in an after school program setting.
- Provided emotional support to children struggling with social or academic difficulties.
- Encouraged positive behavior through rewards and incentives.
- Implemented behavioral intervention plans to reduce negative behaviors.
- Instructed students on safe and proper use of supplies and equipment.
- Organized and set up classrooms in preparation for lessons.
- Implemented classroom rules and regulations in order to maintain order during class time.
- Provided guidance on how to apply critical thinking skills when solving problems.
- Participated in professional development sessions related to best practices in education.
- Adapted instructional materials according to the individual needs of each student.
- Fostered a culture of respect, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning among students.
- Encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving through project-based learning.
- Developed and enforced classroom rules to maintain order and promote positive behavior.
- Implemented strategies to meet the needs of students with different learning styles.
- Designed and implemented engaging after-school educational programs to reinforce core academic subjects for students.
- Conducted regular parent-teacher meetings to discuss student progress and concerns.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to parents and guardians.
- Prepared lesson plans based on student needs and interests.
- Managed classroom resources and supplies, ensuring availability for all activities.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
- Created lesson plans and chose supporting materials to promote positive learning experiences.
- Created and enforced child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Introduced and encouraged debate-style classroom setting to increase student active participation and critical thinking.
Educator
Lillie’s Cubby House
Ayr, QLD
09.2020 - 06.2023
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans that enhanced student participation and fostered a positive learning environment.
- Utilized assessment tools to track student progress, adapting instruction to meet diverse learning needs effectively.
- Collaborated with colleagues to design interdisciplinary projects, promoting teamwork and critical thinking among students.
- Led classroom activities that encouraged social skills development, resulting in improved peer interactions and group dynamics.
- Provided mentorship and support to new educators, sharing best practices and enhancing teaching methodologies within the team.
- Created a safe, comfortable learning environment for students by establishing positive relationships with them.
- Organized activities and resources to promote student engagement in learning.
- Communicated with parents and guardians about student daily activities, behaviors and related issues.
- Conveyed and utilized strong communication and interpersonal skills to establish positive rapport with students, parents and fellow educators.
- Collaborated with colleagues to share best practices in teaching methods.
- Planned classroom activities to enable students to work independently, in small groups and in large groups.
- Attended professional development workshops and seminars to stay abreast of new trends in education.
- Encouraged positive self-esteem and mutual respect for others while instilling joy of learning and discovery.
- Identified weakness and strengths to create strategic student improvement plans.
- Assessed student progress regularly through formal and informal assessments.
- Engaged parents in their children's education by providing regular updates about academic performance and classroom activities.
- Incorporated cooperative learning strategies into daily instruction whenever possible.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback on a regular basis.
- Built and strengthened positive relationships with students, parents, and teaching staff.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
Education
Diploma - Early Childhood Education And Care
Australian College of Teacher Aide And Childcare
11.2025
Certificate III - Early Childhood Care And Education
TAFE Queensland
06.2023
Skills
- Lesson planning
- Student assessment
- Differentiated instruction
- Classroom management
- Curriculum design
- Communication with parents
- Mentorship of educators
- Holistic child development
- Inclusive education practices
- Social-emotional support
- Safe learning environment
- Parent communication
- Teaching strategies
- Program development
- Positive reinforcement
- Empathy and patience
- Cultural awareness
- Curriculum development
- Collaborative learning
- Goal setting
- Practical learning
- Child development
- Parent interaction
- Relationship building
Timeline
Senior Educator
Goodstart North Mackay
02.2024 - Current
OSHC Educator
Mary McKillop Childcare NQ
06.2023 - 02.2024
Educator
Lillie’s Cubby House
09.2020 - 06.2023
Diploma - Early Childhood Education And Care
Australian College of Teacher Aide And Childcare
Certificate III - Early Childhood Care And Education
TAFE Queensland