Kirsten Hull

• Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning to guide tamariki as they explore their interests and deepen their understandings about the world around them as they explore their working theories.
• Consulted with parents to build and maintain positive support networks and support continuing learning strategies.
• Observed tamariki to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
• Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive social competency.
• Established positive respectful relationships with whānau based upon trust through excellent communication.
• Throughout my time at The Rabbit Patch I have been flexible and have worked in every room, moving to where I was needed to best support the centre and the teams.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Together as a team and individually I worked to provide tamariki with a range of learning opportunities that embrace the Reggio Emilia Philosophy- allowing children to experience clay, music and dance, storytelling and drama, wire and weaving, painting, drawing, charcoal, pastels, te reo Māori, construction , woodworking, loose parts, found materials, light and shadow, self portraiture, investigations and projects etc.
• Utilised effective time management and organisation skills during non contact time to ensure documentation is to a high standard. This is also the case for the daily reflections that we email to parents that document what their child has done each day through photos and narrative writing.

Having a strong passion for children, I embrace many opportunities for casual babysitting throughout high school, at university and also now while I am working. I provided ongoing childcare support for two families throughout my studies at university. I was a nanny for a 3 and a half year old girl who I looked after 3 evenings per week and the occasional Saturday while her mum worked (May 2020- January 2021). I also regularly babysit Kate and Dave's two girls- 2 and 4 year olds (from December 2019-present). I have also done casual babysitting for a large number of families over the past 10 years. This has provided me with many positive attributes and skills;

• Prepared meals and snacks for children based on dietary guidelines.
• Assisted with light housekeeping duties as well as running errands.
• Organized and cleaned the house after children finished playing/went to bed.
• Monitored schedules to maintain sleeping, eating, and school schedules for children.
• Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
• Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.

Please note; I had two teaching placements for University (first- 3 weeks in June, second- 7 weeks in September *both were in the same year 2 classroom)

• Collaborated with teaching staff to devise and implement coordinated educational strategies and student support networks.
• Kept records of student progress for teachers and parents, including details such as behavior, grades, comprehension and personal growth.
• Developed lesson plans that incorporated mandated topics and included immersive activities for student engagement.
• Investigated different teaching materials and techniques to understand my strengths and weaknesses.
• Assisted students of all ability levels develop life-long learning skills and good study habits.
• Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
• Developed constructive, effective professional relationships with colleagues, parents, and students

• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships based upon trust and respect.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations as I worked across the centre in each of the five different classrooms.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
• Exhibited a flexible nature and aimed to be available when I was required for relief work.

This was a fixed term job over the busy season.

• Interacted with customers professionally by phone, email or in-person to provide information and directed to desired staff members.
• Kept physical files and digitized records organized for easy updating and retrieval by authorized team members.
• Coordinated, scheduled and arranged meeting and travel calendars, including business and social events.
• Welcomed office visitors and alerted staff to arrivals of scheduled appointments.
• Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.

Part Time/Casual Jobs

Auckland/Chirstchurch 2014- 2018

While I was at high school and university I worked in a number of other part time/casual jobs. Some of these include;

• Cherry Seller for Eden Orchards - this included setting up stalls in a visually appealing manner and utilising my people/communication skills to provide customers with relevant information about the products and cherry orchards.
• Sales Merchandiser for Zeagold and Energizer/Eveready Batteries- this involved driving to different stores to restock these products on the shelves. This job required great organisation/time management skills and I made a big effort to maintain positive relationships with store managers and politely communicate with customers.
• Seed Solutions - this was a seasonal job that I did most university summer holidays. I worked very long days in the sun (often up to 12+ hours a day for 6 consecutive days) ensuring corn crops/fields were maintained to a high standard.
• Waitress/Barista at Columbus Coffee and The Barracuda Restaurant where I served customers, made hot/cold beverages, prepared food and helped clean. I worked hard to maintain order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
• Data Entry Processor at EnviroNZ in the Health and Safety Department. I used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications. I also tracked incoming and outgoing files and materials and maintained accurate records. Filing, laminating and organising folders/stationary etc. and other general office assistant jobs were completed too.