Reese Francis
Midrand
Summary
I am a dedicated and compassionate Teacher with a strong passion for helping children complete tasks, learn new concepts, and develop a love for learning. My experience and skill set in evaluating student progress, adapting lesson plans, and fostering individual growth ensure that each child receives the tailored support they need to succeed. With a deep commitment to the overall well-being and development of students from diverse backgrounds and learning styles, I am quick to assist teachers with both student-focused tasks and administrative responsibilities. As a hardworking and detail-oriented educator, I have honed my organisational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience in the classroom. My ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with teachers, administrators, and the wider school community has been key in creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. I am committed to promoting an inclusive and productive classroom atmosphere where every child feels valued and encouraged. As an enthusiastic and dedicated Assistant Teacher, I bring a wide range of skills that support the educational and emotional growth of young learners. My strengths in behaviour modelling and skills development help foster a positive and engaging learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, learn, and grow. I excel in classroom management and lesson plan implementation, tailoring each lesson to the individual needs of students while ensuring that it aligns with the curriculum. I am proficient in technology integration to enhance the learning experience and am comfortable using educational tools to promote interactive and hands-on learning. I have a strong foundation in learning support, providing tailored guidance to students, including those with special needs, helping them to achieve their full potential. My communication and interpersonal skills are vital in fostering strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. I maintain open lines of communication, providing parent updates and addressing any concerns or questions effectively. Empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of social skills development allow me to build strong connections with students, ensuring they feel valued, heard, and supported. I consistently demonstrate leadership by contributing to a collaborative environment, where I support fellow teachers and share best practices. My skills in organisation, time management, and problem-solving ensure that the classroom operates smoothly, with an emphasis on creating a safe, effective learning space. Through ongoing learning assessments, I regularly monitor student progress and adjust my teaching strategies to meet their evolving needs.
Overview
1
1
Certification
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Toddler Directress
Dibber Montessori kikuyu
Johannesburg , South Africa
03.2024 - Current
- Created and maintained a meticulously organised Montessori environment, ensuring it is clean, safe, and filled with developmentally appropriate materials that encourage independent exploration and learning.
- Supported toddlers in developing critical skills in self-care, language, motor coordination, and cognitive abilities, encouraging them to engage in activities at their own pace and take ownership of their learning.
- Presented Montessori materials and activities to toddlers, providing individualised guidance as they explored foundational concepts in numbers, language, shapes, and sensory development, facilitating an engaging and enriching learning experience.
- Conducted ongoing observations to track each child's development, documenting milestones and adjusting activities to meet the unique needs of every child, ensuring that all learners receive individualised support.
- Social and Emotional Development: Fostered a supportive and respectful classroom atmosphere that nurtured emotional regulation, social skills, empathy, and conflict resolution, utilizing gentle guidance techniques to promote positive social interactions.
- Introduced new vocabulary and language structures through meaningful conversations, storytelling, and reading, laying the foundation for early literacy and encouraging expressive communication.
- Provided abundant opportunities for sensory exploration through hands-on activities such as pouring, sorting, and tactile play, helping toddlers refine their fine motor skills and sensory perceptions in a Montessori-inspired setting.
- Actively encouraged toddlers to take on self-care tasks such as dressing, feeding, cleaning, and organising their personal space, promoting their independence and confidence while instilling responsibility for themselves and their environment.
- Fostered a nurturing environment where toddlers felt safe, respected, and valued, promoting positive behaviour, good manners, and respect for others as integral parts of classroom culture.
- Designed and facilitated activities to enhance both fine and gross motor skills, such as cutting, building, climbing, and engaging with Montessori materials that promote hand-eye coordination and physical strength.
- Maintained regular communication with parents to provide updates on their child's development, offer tailored suggestions for reinforcing learning at home, and address any concerns or observations in a proactive and supportive manner.
- Demonstrated keen awareness in recognising signs of developmental delays or special needs and collaborated effectively with parents and specialists to provide targeted support, ensuring each child's developmental needs were met.
- Classroom Safety and Organization: Ensured the classroom remained a clean, organised, and safe environment, monitoring materials for safety, maintaining a clutter-free space, and adhering to Montessori principles to enhance learning.
- Encouraged toddlers to express their needs through language, guiding them in peaceful communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution to promote social harmony in the classroom.
- Worked closely with fellow Montessori educators to share best practices, strategies, and insights, ensuring a cohesive and consistent approach to Montessori education across the learning community.
- Consistently upheld Montessori principles in all aspects of teaching, fostering a child-centred environment that supports freedom within limits, encourages autonomy, and nurtures a deep sense of responsibility.
- 18 months- 3 years old
Administrator
Springboard Techno School
01.2024 - 02.2024
- Managed daily administrative operations and staff scheduling.
- Assisted with recruitment, onboarding, and staff support.
- Maintained parent communication and handled queries professionally.
- Oversaw billing records, tuition follow-ups, and basic budgeting.
- Ensured health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Supported curriculum coordination and learner progress tracking.
- Administrative Duties
Teacher
Little People's Montessori School
01.2023 - 12.2023
- I focus on teaching foundational skills to young learners, helping them identify colours, shapes, numbers, and letters, and laying a strong foundation for their future academic success and cognitive growth.
- I provide both individualised and group instruction, tailoring my teaching strategies to meet each child's unique needs, ensuring that every student receives the support they require to thrive.
- I design and implement a well-rounded curriculum that nurtures various aspects of child development, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth, ensuring a holistic approach to their learning.
- I encourage creativity and self-expression by guiding children in independent drawing activities, helping them develop fine motor skills and fostering confidence in their artistic abilities.
- I introduce basic mathematical concepts, such as addition, using both concrete materials and abstract methods, ensuring that children gain a tangible and engaging understanding of math.
- I incorporate hands-on learning experiences, using real-life objects and interactive activities, to help children connect abstract concepts to their everyday world and make learning relevant.
- I adapt my teaching methods to suit each child's individual learning style, providing individualised support and creative approaches that ensure each child understands and succeeds in their foundational learning.
- I carefully track and assess each child's progress, adjusting lesson plans and activities to meet their evolving developmental needs, ensuring their continuous growth across all areas of learning.
- I promote social and emotional development alongside academic skills, fostering a supportive environment where children can learn collaboration, communication, and essential life skills.
- Reason for leaving: Resigned
- 4 years to 5 years old
Grade R Teacher
Little People's Montessori School
01.2021 - 12.2022
- I carefully monitor and track each child's progress, providing consistent and constructive feedback to support their individual growth. By regularly assessing their academic and developmental milestones, I adapt my teaching strategies to meet the evolving needs of each student, ensuring continuous progress and engagement.
- I present Montessori materials in a dynamic, hands-on manner, ensuring that children are fully engaged in their learning process. I encourage exploration, creativity, and independent thinking by presenting activities that stimulate curiosity and foster a deep love for learning.
- Through thoughtful, play-based learning, storytelling, and interactive activities, I expose children to language in a natural and meaningful way. This incidental language exposure supports both receptive and expressive communication skills, promoting confidence and fluency in language development.
- I teach number recognition and writing skills for numbers 1-100, laying a solid foundation for numeracy. I encourage students to enjoy mathematics through hands-on activities, nurturing their understanding of numbers and fostering a positive attitude toward learning math.
- I prepare and assign homework for my Grade R students each Wednesday, ensuring the tasks are clear and support their learning. On Fridays, I provide structured review sessions to help them prepare for spelling tests, reinforcing their learning and boosting their confidence.
- I assess each child's progress through individualised evaluations, creating detailed reports that highlight both academic and developmental achievements. By closely tracking their growth throughout the year, I ensure that each student is supported in meeting their full potential.
- Using the Montessori movable alphabet, I introduce Grade R students to three-letter words, setting the foundation for phonics and sentence construction. This gradual approach empowers children to read sentences with confidence, laying the groundwork for lifelong literacy skills.
- I ensure that children develop in all areas of life, including personal and social well-being, creative arts, physical education, and conflict resolution. My goal is to nurture well-rounded, confident individuals with the skills they need for social success and emotional health.
- I provide clear, individualised guidance for students as they navigate their CAPS workbooks. I ensure they understand the instructions, helping them engage with the material independently and confidently, fostering both self-sufficiency and academic growth.
- I create opportunities for children to explore, experiment, and reflect on their ideas, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving. These activities help students develop the ability to think independently, make decisions, and explore their world with curiosity and confidence.
- By fostering a supportive and safe classroom environment, I ensure that students feel secure in expressing their emotions and building positive relationships. I guide them through conflict resolution and encourage empathy, helping them develop strong social skills and emotional intelligence.
- I implement effective classroom management strategies that promote positive behaviour, mutual respect, and responsibility. I create a calm and focused learning environment where each child understands the importance of kindness, respect, and self-regulation.
- I provide individualised support for students with varying learning needs, adapting my lessons to accommodate different learning styles. By offering targeted assistance, I ensure that every child, regardless of their abilities, can succeed and thrive in my classroom.
- I maintain an open line of communication with parents through regular updates, parent-teacher meetings, and progress reports. I believe in a strong partnership between home and school, ensuring that parents are actively involved in supporting their child's educational journey.
- I actively collaborate with my fellow Montessori educators to exchange best practices and new teaching strategies. I also participate in professional development opportunities to continually enhance my teaching effectiveness and stay informed about the latest Montessori methodologies.
- One-year temporary contract (relieving teacher on maternity leave)
- 5 years to 6 years old
- Joined the school in January 2021 to support transition planning before the lead teacher's maternity leave. Responsible for lesson planning, monitoring numeracy development, preparing learners for formal schooling, and maintaining strong parent communication. Retained by the school after the teacher's return due to strong performance and contribution.
Assistant Teacher
Country View Montessori
01.2020 - 12.2020
- I successfully oversee the daily operations of the preschool, ensuring an environment that is not only well-organised but also conducive to optimal learning. By maintaining a balance of structured routines and flexibility, I create a space where children feel free to explore, discover, and grow.
- I take great pride in offering individualised attention to each child while also maintaining a holistic view of the group's collective needs. I work to ensure that every child feels valued and supported, promoting an atmosphere where each child can develop at their own pace and feel confident in their abilities.
- I design and implement daily routines that foster independence, self-regulation, and positive behaviour in students. By guiding children to manage their own time and responsibilities, I help them build essential life skills and encourage them to make meaningful choices, all while cultivating a nurturing environment.
- I take a proactive approach to building strong, trusting relationships with both students and their parents. Through regular communication and updates on a child's development, I ensure that parents are well-informed and actively involved in supporting their child's progress at home.
- I carefully track each child's academic, behavioural, and developmental progress through regular observations. I use this data to adjust my teaching strategies, ensuring that each child's unique needs are met. I also collaborate closely with parents and administrators to promptly address any concerns, ensuring continuous growth for all students.
- I consistently demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with colleagues, parents, and students. My leadership approach is rooted in teamwork, mutual respect, and a commitment to creating a positive, welcoming school culture for both children and staff.
- I maintain a clean, organised, and inviting classroom that encourages children to take ownership of their surroundings. Through consistent routines, I involve children in tidying up, fostering habits of personal responsibility, respect for shared spaces, and pride in their environment.
- I guide children in the process of cleaning up after meals and activities, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and self-sufficiency. These routines help instil lifelong habits of cleanliness and organisation while fostering a sense of accomplishment.
- Ages: 3 to 6 years old in one classroom
- Reason for leaving: Retrenched
Kyalami Montessori
09.2016 - 11.2016
- Cleaning the play area, cleaning the babies, changing diapers, feeding them food and water.
- Volunteered
Education
Higher Certificate - Early Childhood Development
Montessori Centre South Africa
JohannesburgSkills
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Parent communication
- Learning environment setup
- Progress reporting
- Child safeguarding
- Individualised instruction
- Willingness to learn
- Team building
- Task collaboration
Certification
Achieving a Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Development from the Montessori Centre South Africa in 2018, with a strong foundation in Montessori principles and practices., Completing a Montessori Professional Teaching Placement at Maloodas Montessori School, where I contributed 150 hours of hands-on teaching experience as part of my Higher Certificate course in March 2018., Acquiring Provisional Registration as an ECD Practitioner with the South African Council for Educators (SACE), demonstrating my commitment to maintaining professional standards in early childhood education. With my experience, credentials, and passion for Montessori education, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your school's commitment to excellence. I am eager to discuss how my skills can align with and exceed your expectations. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to speak further. Sincerely, Reese Francis
Timeline
Toddler Directress
Dibber Montessori kikuyu
03.2024 - Current
Administrator
Springboard Techno School
01.2024 - 02.2024
Teacher
Little People's Montessori School
01.2023 - 12.2023
Grade R Teacher
Little People's Montessori School
01.2021 - 12.2022
Assistant Teacher
Country View Montessori
01.2020 - 12.2020
Kyalami Montessori
09.2016 - 11.2016
Higher Certificate - Early Childhood Development
Montessori Centre South Africa