Shelley Downs Email & Phone Number

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

I monitor and provide support to sub-grantees receiving the PreK Expansion Grant to ensure Pre-K programs in Maryland are providing high quality classroom environments that successfully prepare children for kindergarten. This involves providing technical assistance to Early Childhood Coordinators and teachers in public schools, child care centers and family child care. A requirement of my job is to keep abreast of current research in the field of Early Childhood through professional readings, attending, organizing and facilitating professional development/meetings hosted by Early Childhood agencies throughout Maryland.

I currently provide programmatic support and technical assistance to local school systems, infant toddler programs, and other early childhood programs to ensure that a comprehensive system of coordinated services for children with disabilities (birth-5) are established.

I monitor sub-grantees receiving the Preschool Development Grant to ensure that Pre-K programs in Maryland are providing high quality classroom environments that successfully prepare children for kindergarten. This involves providing technical assistance to teachers and working alongside Early Childhood Coordinators in four counties. A requirement of my job is to keep abreast of current research in the field of Early Childhood through professional readings, attending, organizing and facilitating professional development/meetings hosted by Early Childhood agencies throughout Maryland. I am also involved with Making Access Happen and State Inclusion meetings that help me keep abreast of the field of Special Education.

Bermuda

I have had 24 years experience working in the field of Early Intervention. Prior to becoming a Supervisor, I worked as a Special Educator home visitor in an Early Intervention Programme in Bermuda for 10 years. I then spent 14 years as a Supervisor of the Portage Programme ( a program for children with special needs and their families (Birth-4 years). I have also taught in public preschool and elementary school (K-2nd grade) for a total of 5 years. I have much experience leading professional development and parent support programs. I co-developed a program for families of premature infants (PIP) and have worked closely with pediatricians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, behavior therapists, child psychologists. I have also had much experience working with parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sat on the Board of a school for children with ASD (Tomorrow's Voices) in Bermuda. I have also received a certificate through Toronto's Children's Hospital in Infant Mental Health. I have had many other experiences related to the field of Early Intervention-too many to name.

Bermuda

Preschool Special Education Teacher (2 years) Learning Support Teacher/Reading Recovery Teacher K-Gr2 (3 years)

Master'S Degree, Education-Human Development

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Early Childhood Edication/Special Education