Ifthika F. “Shine” Nissar, M.A.

27-691 San Martin Street

Cathedral City, CA 2234

760-408-4321 (Cell), 760-322-9697 (Home)

ifthikanissar@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL GOAL STATEMENT To serve as a faculty member of a University or Community College and enhance the knowledge of students pursuing their higher education in the profession of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and or Early Childhood Special Education (ESCE) along with Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) for young children. EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) Doctoral student in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) Anticipated completion/graduation – June 2016 Research Topic – Assessing inclusive practices of Head Start programs to improve access of the preschool curriculum for children with special needs. Master of Arts in Educational Administration – December 2011 California State University – Northridge (CSUN) Master of Arts in Special Education - Spring 2001 Bachelor of Arts in Child Development - Spring 1997 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program - Completed 21units
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Certificate of Eligibility for the Administrative Service Credential (Document # 120018938, Auth. Code – R54C) Clear Level II Education Specialist Credential (Document # 140053847,Authorization Code - R3EC, Exp. 04/01/19) Child Development Program Director Permit (Document # 101126812,Authorization Code - 12F, Exp. 05/01/15) EXPERIENCE IN ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION AND ADULT EDUCATION
Administration: (1) Early Learning System Specialist – Program Specialist II: 09-2012 to Present First 5 Riverside – Riverside County Children and Families Commission, Riverside, CA 92507 Serve in the Advisory Panel of the Frist 5 California Learning Communities Provide PD2GO training developed by e4 (early, education, effectiveness, exchange) of WestEd. Provide leadership and work with early childhood programs throughout Riverside County to improve the quality of early education and care through the Child Signature Program (CSP) of First 5 California. This is a statewide effort to increase the quality of early care and education. Coach and support staff members of the 34 CSP preschool classrooms in Riverside County-- Provide resources, support to complete the Readiness Assessment, develop and implement agency and county wide Improvement Plans and Action Plans based on the data of readiness assessments. Provide support, training and technical assistance with instructional support on curriculum, social emotional development, behavior support, inclusion support, parent involvement, staff development and other elements to improve the quality of early childhood education. (2) Program Director – Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program: 07 -2011 to 09-2012 Family YMCA of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA 92260 Leadership - Was Responsible for the overall management and operation of the ECE program with an annual budget of two million dollars (state contract for the California State Preschool Program and fee for service participants). Provided leadership and supervised 50 staff members (Site Supervisors, Teachers, Administrative, Nutritional, Clerical and Custodial and maintenance and operations staff), 350 students and their families in three child development centers cross the Coachella Valley: Palm Desert, Indio and La Quinta. Budget - Prepared the ECE program budgets (state contract and fee for service) and was fiscally responsible in generating income, managing expenses and earning the state contract by enrolling children according to guidelines. Allocated additional funds at the end of the fiscal year to purchase much needed instructional supplies, computers to promote technology in ECE and dish washers to promote the use of place settings and cutlery and teach children to be responsible and protect our earth by being environmentally responsible. Researched and obtained supplemental funding and grants for the ECE program. Human Resources - Was responsible for hiring, orientating, training and evaluating staff members. Worked with the Director of Human Resources in revising job descriptions. Used the guidelines of FRISK model in documenting coaching and mentoring staff members. Training and Development - Provided staff development trainings on a variety of ECE related topics to teaching staff, administrative staff, food and nutrition staff, clerical and custodial staff: Topics: Creative Curriculum, Nutrition, Eligibility, Early Literary, Math, Science, Challenging Behaviors, Assessments - DRDP, ECERS, Safety, Customer Relations etc… Parent Involvement – Identified needs of the families and provided trainings to parents from a diverse Implemented a parent volunteer program Student Success/Education - Was responsible for providing quality early care and education for 350 students 2 – 5 years. Emphasis was placed on safety, assessment, individualizing of instruction, intervention, developmentally appropriate curriculum focusing on hands-on learning Implemented a Student Study Team (SST) process in identifying and helping students with developmental concerns in order to receive further services from community partners: ECE programs of the school districts, Mental Health services offered by Frist 5 Riverside etc… Laws and Regulations - Followed regulations of California Department of Education and Community Care Licensing (Title V and XXII). Completed the annual agency self-evaluation according the requirements of CDE using the Categorical Program Monitoring (CPM) tool. Revised parent handbook with new policies and procedures with input from the ECE team members. Educated staff and parents of the new policies (i.e. Nutritious meals, holiday celebrations that are developmentally and culturally appropriate etc…) Created new forms, Revised existing forms and developed enrollment packets and registration packets Health and Nutrition - Revised the monthly menu to include fresh fruits, vegetables, non-processed food and worked with the nutritional team in offering children balanced healthy meals (breakfast, lunch and snack) according to the guidelines of the California Adult and Children Food Program (CACFP) and USDA. Public Relations and Community Involvement- Was responsible for public relations and promoting the ECE program: Created a brochure for the ECE Program, Designed and created the literature of the ECE program on the Y website, Revised the parent handbook, Developed press releases, Worked with the local media personnel, represented the Y at many community projects and networked with ECE Program Directors Other - Attended trainings organized by California Child Development Administers Association (CCDAA) and RCOE, Served as Secretary of the East County Child Care Council (ECCCC) and Co-President of the Coachella Valley Autism Society of America (CVASA). (3) Program Development Specialist: 04 -2006 to 06 - 2009 Riverside County Office of Education, Regional Office, Indio, CA Monitored state funded early education programs (center base and state preschool) throughout Riverside Provided training and technical assistance based on regulations of California Department of Education, Title V, Funding Terms and Conditions, Title XXII and Environment Rating Scales (ERS) Implemented and facilitated Professional Learning Communities (PLC) to the leadership team of the Early Childhood Education program of the Desert Sands Unified School District Provided support to teaching staff on Inclusion support, Behavioral intervention, accommodations and modifications to the curriculum to meet the needs of students with disabilities and their IEP Provided training and technical assistance to Administrators and staff for the Annual Agency Reviews with California Department of Education using the Categorical Program Monitoring (CPM) tool Provided trainings to teaching staff, administrators, child care providers and parents from a diverse and a multicultural background on curriculum and assessments to enhance student achievement. Topics: Challenging Behaviors, Inclusion, Visual Support, DRDP access , Creative Curriculum, Early Literary, Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD), Math, Science, DRDP-R Managed and monitored the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) - Completed student assessments (infants through school age), monitored student educational portfolios and Conducted Parent Teacher Conferences, Assessed the quality of family child care homes using the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale (FCCERS), Case management for eligibility of subsidized child care using the CARE system, responsible for program budget. My responsibilities included hiring, orienting, training, supervising, documenting and evaluating staff in the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) state funded program of the Children Family Services. Adult Education: Adjunct Faculty Member/Instructor: 04 -2010 to Present University of California Davis – Extension, The Center for Excellence in Child Development, Davis, CA Teach early childhood education courses to child care providers, teachers, parents and administrators Adjunct Faculty Member - School of Health Sciences and Education: 08 - 2004 to Present College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA • Develop course syllabus with Student Learning Outcomes and assess students for mastery • Provide instructions in child development courses (i.e. Including Children with Special Needs in ECE Settings - ECE 033, Curriculum and Strategies to work with Children with Special Needs – ECE 035) and other ECE courses. Instructions comprise of power point presentations, use of the internet, Journals, discussions, small group projects, and tests. • Collaborate with Administrators and teachers of special education and early childhood programs of Coachella Valley, Desert Sands and Palm Springs Unified School Districts with regard to referrals, observations of programs and job placement of my students. • Instruct students of diverse backgrounds and meet the needs of students i.e. career guidance • Use a variety of instructional methodologies to accommodate learning styles such as: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners and attend staff meetings, advisory committee meetings staff development trainings and collaborate with colleagues LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES Professional Panel Member – CSUSB PDC - USTD Professor Maria Haigh’s class – 11/2014 & 11/2013 Mentor – Student at Palm Springs H.S. to develop a project to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award – ‘12-‘14 Professional Panel Member – CSUSB PDC – Autism Awareness Event–Represented CVASA 4/21/2012 Co-President – Coachella Valley Autism Society of America (CVASA) – 2010-2012 Coordinator of the Young Adult Group, Chair of the Annual Teachers’ Appreciation Luncheon, Education Specialist and Representative to school districts Committee Member – Week of the Young Child (WOYC) Celebration Committee – 2009-2012 Member – Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee at College of the Desert - currently Secretary – East County Child Care Council (ECCCC) – 2008—2009 and 2011 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Conference Presentations Family Service Association –14th Annual Child Development Conference, March 21st 2014 Family Service Association –13th Annual Child Development Conference, March 16th 2013 Family Service Association – 40th Annual Children’s Conference, May 7th 2013 Early Childhood Educators Conference – University of Riverside Extension - 2012 Stan Little Conference for Educators, Coachella Valley - 2010, 2008, 2004 Presenter/Trainer Child Development and related topics in the Coachella Valley and throughout Riverside County Consultant – California Behavior Inclusion Consultants (CIBC) Provide on-site consultation to support ECE educators of stafunded programs to respond effectively to children with special needs or challenging behaviors. Advisor CARES Plus Advisor – UC Riverside Extension – 2011 to 2012 Advice candidates to pursue their higher education in ECE Professional Growth Advisor – California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Advise candidates to obtain their Child Development Permits Advisor – Council for Professional Recognition/ National Credentialing Program Advise candidates pursing Child Development Associate (CDA) credential Professional Trainings Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) – Interrater Reliable Certification University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Beginning Together (Module V - Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC), WestEd – Certified Trainer Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC – Modules 1-IV), WestEd – Certified Trainer Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) - Teachstone Developing Your Leading Edge, Management Team Leadership Academy –Riverside County Office of Education Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM) – San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) – Certification as validator/observer Professional Assessment Scale (PAS) – Certification in PAS - Assessor Reliability Trainer Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) – Orange County Department of Education Early Language & Literacy Classroom Observation (ELLCO) – OCDE Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) training for ITERS, ECERS and FCCERS – RCCCC Desired Results Developmental Profile-Revised (DRDP-R) – West Ed. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Training – Autism Partnership From ICON to ICAN –Visually based Instructional Approach – Barbara Bloomfield Heads Up! Reading – National Head Start Association and Council for Professional Recognition Governor’s Reading Initiative Program – Governor’s Professional Dev. Institute and UCLA Links to Language (I & II) – Pamela C. Payne, M.S., & Social Stories and conversational Strip Training – Carol Gray Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Training – Pyramid Ed. Consultants Inc., Professional Assault Response Training (PART) Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children (TEACCH)–UNC Chapel Hill ELEMENTARY EDUCATION - TEACHING AND SUPERVISING: Special Education Teacher: Autism Preschool Program, 08 - 2005 to 03 - 2006 Mabel Paine Elementary School, Yorba Linda , CA - Placentia Yorba Linda USD Planned and implemented curriculum for students with special needs by incorporating ABA, Discrete Trial Teaching DTT, PECS, TEACCH, floor time and social skills methodologies by using an eclectic approach to diverse needs and learning styles. Conducted assessments, monitored progress and individualized instruction for and mastery of skills Planned and Implemented the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Implemented the “Neighborhood Kids Program”- Reverse mainstream program Collaborated with parents, staff members, disability specialists, administrators, agencies community members Special Education Teacher: Special Day Class, 08 – 2003 to 06 - 2005 Bubbling Wells Elementary School, Desert Hot Springs, CA - Palm Springs USD Planned and implemented Developmentally Appropriate curriculum for students with special needs Incorporated Applied Behavior Analysis, Discrete Trial Teaching and the Creative Curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners Conducted student assessments, monitored progress and individualized instruction for and mastery of skills Planned and Implemented the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Collaborated with parents, staff, disability specialists, administrators, agencies and community members Served as a team member of the Early Childhood Assessment team Supervisor: Early Childhood Autism Program (ECAP) , Pre-K to 1st grade, 11-2003 to June 2005 Developed and implemented individualized curriculum for students with autism Conducted ongoing assessment in order to modify curriculum and charted student progress Prepared students for mainstream and inclusion programs Supervised and managed a staff of 10 behavior therapists. Provided ongoing training for staff Members Conducted monthly clinic meetings with families and therapist to discuss student progress and challenges Reported to the Autism Specialist of Palm Springs Unified School District Special Education Teacher: Preschool Intensive Program (PSI), 07 - 2001 to 06 2003 Victory Blvd. Elementary School, North Hollywood, CA - Los Angeles USD Encompassed an eclectic approach teach atypical students & Individualized curriculum according to IEP Implemented and monitored parent volunteer program & Served on Interdisciplinary assessment team Conducted home visits to enhance the learning experience and to strengthen home school connection Served as a Mentor Teacher for the CSUN teaching credential program of and supervised students Intern Early Intervention Specialist: 03 - 2000 to 06 2001 California State University Northridge, CHIME Infant Toddler Program, Chatsworth, CA Worked with children with special needs and their families at the center and home Supervised university students who completed their field work experience at the Center Worked with assessment teams members of the LAUSD, Early Start and of NC Regional Center AFFILIATIONS Coachella Valley Autism Society of America (CVASA) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) AWARDS Pat and Dr. Ward Fredericks Graduate Fellowship CSUSB Palm Desert Campus Education Doctorate Program Lucille M. Wilson Memorial Award for dedication to the cause of autism, 5-21-2011 - CVASA Cross Cultural Language and Academic Development, Department of Special Education - CSUN LANGUAGES and HOBBIES English, Sinhala, Tamil, Arabic (read and write) and knowledge of ASL and Spanish Cycling running, tennis, hiking, reading, traveling, gardening and music REFERENCES: Attached on page 5 Ms. Laurie Schoenberg, M.A & M.S, Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) (Previously ECE & Health Administrator of Frist 5 Riverside – RCCFC) 44777 Quixote St Temecula, CA 92592 951-514-5744 lschoenbergmft@verizon.net (Previous Supervisor – known since 2012) Mr. Rob Ballew, CEO Family YMCA of the Desert 43-930 San Pablo Ave Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-9622 desertymcaceo@aol.com (Previous Supervisor – known since 2010) Dr. Diana Walsh – Reuss, Associate Superintendent of Schools Division of Special Education & Children and Family Services Riverside County Office of Education 3939 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501 951-826-6320 dwalshreuss@rcoe.us (Ed.D. Dissertation Committee Member and Previous Supervisor – known since 2006) Dr. Leslie Young, Dean School of Health Sciences and Education College of the Desert 43-500 Monterey Avenue Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-773-2580 lyoung@collegeofthedesert.edu (Current Supervisor – known since 1998) Dr. Doris Wilson, Associate Dean California State University San Bernardino – Palm Desert Campus 37500 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 92211 760-341-2883 dwilson@csusb.edu (Ed.D. Dissertation Committee Chair – known since 2009) Ms. Debra Loukatos, Coordinator Early Childhood Education Program Desert Sands Unified School District 47-950 Dune Palms Road La Quinta, CA 92253 760-771-8675 debra.loukatos@dsusd.us (Supervisor of the Administrative Credential Practicum – known since 2000)