Nuwandi Pelawatta
Silver Spring
Summary
Compassionate Early Childhood Educator with a background in creating engaging, educational, and nurturing environments for early childhood development. Skilled in lesson planning, classroom management, technology, media, and developmental assessments, fostering growth and learning among diverse student groups. Implemented innovative teaching strategies that enhanced children's social and intellectual growth, contributing to improved classroom dynamics, and positive feedback from parents and staff.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Pre-K Teacher
The Children in the Shoe
Olney
02.2018 - Current
- Full-time Lead Teacher.
- Created and enforced a play-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
- Met with administrators and department team members to work on curriculum planning and assessment methods.
- Organized and spearheaded annual graduation and promotion ceremonies for rising kindergartners since 2020.
- Also, I made end-of-year videos, special celebration videos, and many more digital presentations, including PowerPoint, for special events and families.
- Trained new teachers and guided floaters throughout the process.
- Collaborated with colleagues on developing new classroom projects and weekly themes.
- Conducted year-end Parent-Teacher Conferences since 2018.
- Met with parents and guardians to discuss students' progress and areas requiring improvement.
- Implemented strategies for managing challenging behaviors among students.
- Participated in professional development activities to stay abreast of current trends in early childhood education.
- Integrated technology into lesson plans.
- Identified early signs of emotional and developmental problems in children to bring concerns to parents' attention.
- Organized group projects to foster collaboration among peers.
- Provided assistance communicating, typing correspondence or obtaining information.
- Monitored and administered medication as listed in the Medication Administration Plans.
- Implemented organizational performance initiatives, clearly communicating standards and requirements.
- Delivered warm companionship with conversation, emotional reassurance and coordination of mentally stimulating activities.
Child Development Assistant
Family Discovery Center, Family Services, Inc.
01.2015 - 04.2015
- Represented the Family Discovery Center at the event of MFN Day in the Senate Office, Annapolis, MD.
- During the event, participated in discussion with Senators regarding Family Networks in the State of Maryland and how to promote a quality service and a safe environment for children and their families
- As a social worker, I documented everything that had happened related to my work, and those reports were reviewed monthly by the Director of Programs at FDC.
- Ensured that child observations are appropriately documented by completing weekly progress notes, age-appropriate screenings (ASQ-SE, ASQ-3, Peabody, goal settings), in a timely manner.
- Provided direct care and promoted the health, safety, and well-being of all children in the FDC.
- Assisted with the implementation of a developmentally appropriate program for 0 to 36 months old.
- Provided informal parenting education to participants to support their parenting role.
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with families by successfully resolving issues and responding promptly to phone inquiries.
Private Math Tutor
01.2008 - 12.2014
- Worked with first-generation, international, and basic college-level students; tutored mathematics for various students ranging from preschool to high school, and college students.
- Hands-on experience in creating and implementing individual student-based tuition programs.
- Successfully made three groups of grade D students acquire grades A and B in mock examinations.
- Designed and implemented special tuition programs for students suffering from a lack of foundation in mathematics.
Toddler Teacher
The Children in the Shoe
Olney
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Worked with 1- to 2-and-a-half-year-old children; organized curriculum plans, including social-emotional, language and literacy, art/sensory, and motor play activities.
- Planned various fun events and activities for children to have outdoor and group experiences.
- Recorded daily observations of children's behavior and activities; monitors behavioral patterns, and develops assessments and profiles (Healthy Beginning & Photo Observation).
- Scheduled and conducted children's transferring conferences and meetings with parents and teachers.
- I observed and evaluated assistant teachers' performance inside the classroom; I also trained them according to the classroom requirements and planned the curriculum by conducting meetings.
Basic Literacy & ESL Tutor
Literacy Council of Montgomery County
Montgomery County
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Helped adult learners to read, write, and speak in order to improve their quality of life, and ability to participate in the community.
- Qualified, patient, flexible, supportive, and able to relate to culturally and economically diverse individuals.
- I took part in many volunteer activities organized by The Literacy Council of Montgomery County.
Assistant Montessori Teacher
The Family Academy of Bethesda
Bethesda
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Worked with 2½ to 4-year-old children.
- I have studied and recorded the behavior and nature of all the children in my care.
- Maintained day care center rooms and play areas in a clean, orderly, and safe condition; set up rooms and areas for various activities such as lunch, snacks, naps, games, etc.
- Supervised and observed young children effectively, changed diapers, demonstrated excellent physical stamina (lifting children, bending, sitting on the floor, etc.), and interacted appropriately with young children.
- Maintained accurate attendance and enrollment records, and maintained appropriate confidential records.
Assistant Manager
Beautiful Works Flowers & Gifts
Washington
01.2008 - 12.2012
- Maintained the main accounting system with daily activities and monthly reports by using strong computer skills such as MS Office, QuickBooks, and specific online systems, including emails, faxing, scanning, printing, mailing, and purchasing.
- Assisted and supervised the staff in working toward professional goals by using the most applicable areas of industrial and organizational psychology.
- Organized a plan for the display and presentation of merchandise, with consideration to the established marketing plan and for effective support of sales; changed displays regularly, with consideration to the buying audience and season; supervised and worked with staff in stocking and displaying merchandise.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with customers and staff; meet, greet, and assist the public.
Teacher of Mathematics
Day Bridge International School
01.2006 - 12.2007
- I worked as a class teacher for grade 5 in one academic year and taught math for over a year from grades 1 to 7.
- I prepared the math lesson plans and provided them to the course material, so students can study by themselves as well.
- Observed, annotated, introspected, experimented, and indexed the study of each student throughout the academic year.
- Tutored after hours for many students who were having difficulties in making good grades.
- Inspired students, engaged them in discussions, and developed their skill sets by arranging fun games, so students can enjoy the teaching & learning process.
Education
Associate Degree - Elementary And Special Education
Montgomery College
MD05-2027
First Aide & CPR -
Red Cross
USA12-2025
Teacher Level 4+ -
Maryland Childcare Credential
06-2023
CDA -
National Credential Program
01.2014
Infant and Toddler Development and Curricular Planning -
Maryland State Department of Education
01.2013
Understanding Each Other: Families, Staff and Community -
The Maryland Institute for Teachers, Inc.
01.2012
Child Growth and Development and Curriculum Planning in Early Childhood Education -
Maryland State Department of Education
01.2009
High School Diploma -
St. Paul's Girls School
Colombo, Sri Lanka03-2003
High School -
Lindsay Girls School
Colombo, Sri Lanka12-2000
Skills
- Passionate about media
- Data-Driven Problem Solving
- Strategic Planning
- Independently Driven
- Quick Learner
- Clear verbal communication skills, including public speaking
- Mastery of Microsoft Office programs, using online resources, experience with QuickBooks, and maintaining office budgets
- Ability to adapt and become proficient in new technologies and applications
- Attention to Detail
- Ability to multitask while keeping cool in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent organizational skills
- Task Prioritization Expertise
- Critical Issue Assessment
- Effective Decision-Making
- Ability to solve problems efficiently
- Adaptable Mindset
- Consistent High Energy
Volunteer Experience
Basic Literacy & ESL Tutor, Literacy Council of Montgomery County, MD, 01/12, 12/13, Helped adult learners to read, write, and speak., Participated in volunteer activities organized by The Literacy Council.
Special Trainings Certificates
- Child Care Training Institute, Anne Arundel Community College - DCC-359-101 Working With Family Support System, 2.40 Continuing Education Units. Core of Knowledge: 10Hrs Community, 7Hrs Professionalism, 6Hrs Child Development, 1 Hr Health, Safety & Nutrition., 2015
- Maryland Family Network, Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Our FSC/EHS Centers 5 hrs, Family Support Network Orientation 24 hrs, 2015
- Relias Learning Certificates, Family Services, Inc, Confidentiality and HIPAA 1.25 hrs, Corporate Compliance and Ethics 1 hrs, Cultural Diversity 1.25 hrs, Identifying and Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect 1.75 hrs, Infection Prevention Part 1 2 hrs, Sexual Harassment/Discrimination- Prevention for Employees 2.5 hrs, Blood-borne Pathogens 1 hrs, 2015
Affiliations
- Member of Pi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
- Secretary of ECE Student Success HUB, Montgomery College, Rockville Campus 2021-2022.
Timeline
Pre-K Teacher
The Children in the Shoe
02.2018 - Current
Child Development Assistant
Family Discovery Center, Family Services, Inc.
01.2015 - 04.2015
Toddler Teacher
The Children in the Shoe
01.2013 - 01.2014
Basic Literacy & ESL Tutor
Literacy Council of Montgomery County
01.2012 - 12.2013
Assistant Montessori Teacher
The Family Academy of Bethesda
01.2012 - 12.2012
Private Math Tutor
01.2008 - 12.2014
Assistant Manager
Beautiful Works Flowers & Gifts
01.2008 - 12.2012
Teacher of Mathematics
Day Bridge International School
01.2006 - 12.2007
Associate Degree - Elementary And Special Education
Montgomery College
First Aide & CPR -
Red Cross
Teacher Level 4+ -
Maryland Childcare Credential
CDA -
National Credential Program
Infant and Toddler Development and Curricular Planning -
Maryland State Department of Education
Understanding Each Other: Families, Staff and Community -
The Maryland Institute for Teachers, Inc.
Child Growth and Development and Curriculum Planning in Early Childhood Education -
Maryland State Department of Education
High School Diploma -
St. Paul's Girls School
High School -
Lindsay Girls School
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