Carla Duffy

Dedicated Early Childhood Education Leader with 20 years of experience serving children and families in preschool, infant/toddler, Head Start, and school-age programs. Passionate about creating and sustaining high-quality early learning environments that support the development of the whole child while ensuring children and families from all backgrounds have access to meaningful educational opportunities. Experienced in classroom leadership, staff supervision, curriculum development, child assessment, family engagement, licensing compliance, and continuous quality improvement.

Strong advocate for partnering with families as children's first and most important teachers and fostering collaborative relationships that support children's growth, learning, and well-being.

Lead Teacher at COMMUNITY ACTION HEAD START (2025-08 – 2026-05)

Led a preschool classroom while ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and Oregon licensing requirements.

• Collaborated with and supported teaching staff to maintain high-quality educational practices and positive classroom environments.
• Planned and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum supporting school readiness and whole-child development.
• Conducted ongoing child assessments and used data to individualize learning experiences and support developmental goals.
• Partnered with families through conferences, home visits, family engagement activities, and ongoing communication, recognizing families as children's first teachers.
• Connected families with community resources and maintained accurate documentation required for federal funding and program accountability.
• Fostered a collaborative classroom culture promoting inclusion, teamwork, and positive relationships among children, families, and staff.

Preschool Teacher at COMMUNITY ACTION HEAD START (2024-08 – 2025-05)

• Developed and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences.
• Conducted child assessments and documented developmental progress.
• Partnered with families through conferences, wellness checks, and educational activities.
• Maintained compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, CACFP requirements, and state licensing regulations.
• Conducted 1:1 meetings and collaborated with co-teachers to support classroom quality and child outcomes.
• Planned family engagement activities and connected families with community resources.

Preschool Teacher at COMMUNITY ACTION HEAD START (2023-10 – 2024-05)

• Developed and implemented developmentally appropriate learning experiences for preschool children.
• Maintained a safe, nurturing, and inclusive classroom environment.
• Conducted assessments and documented children's developmental progress.
• Collaborated with families and colleagues to support children's learning and development.

Infant Teacher at VALLEY CATHOLIC EARLY LEARNING CENTER (2022-10 – 2023-08)

• Provided care, safety, nutrition, emotional growth, well-being, and physical development for eight infants/young toddlers with a co-teacher.
• Collaborated with families to meet children's needs and schedules.
• Provided an enriched environment supporting emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development.

Nanny/Teacher at IN-HOME NANNY/TEACHER (2020-10 – 2022-10)

• Provided daily care for two children and created enriched, developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
• Prepared meals, organized and rotated learning materials and the environment, and communicated with family regarding concerns, needs, and future goals.

Associate Teacher / Floating Associate Teacher at NIKE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (2014-10 – 2020-10)

• Supported classrooms center-wide from infants through preschool, helping maintain ratios and providing responsive care and interaction.
• Provided developmentally appropriate activities for children from birth to age three and supported health, safety, and developmental needs.
• Recorded anecdotal observations for assessments and conferences and documented children's learning using PowerPoint, Word, and Office.
• Communicated and partnered with families and collaborated with teaching teams to reflect on best practices and plan for future learning.

Site Supervisor, Preschool & School-Age Programs at CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT, INC. / CATALYST FAMILIES (2008-10 – 2014-08)

• Led preschool and school-age programs serving children ages 2.8–12 and ensured health, safety, licensing, and program compliance.
• Created center-wide Program Action Plans using DRDP, ECERS, and parent survey results and monitored implementation and outcomes.
• Planned and implemented school-year and summer curriculum and engaged families through parent meetings, family nights, and workshops.
• Conducted SACERS and ECERS assessments, maintained center budgets using Excel, and completed enrollment, attendance, food program, licensing, and purchasing reports.
• Interviewed, hired, and evaluated staff; facilitated individual and group meetings; and created and conducted training for site supervisors and company staff.
• Completed Foundational Supervisory Skills Training in 2009, 2011, and 2013.

Preschool Teacher at CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT, INC. / CATALYST FAMILIES (2006-03 – 2008-10)

• Planned developmentally appropriate curriculum based on children's interests and needs with a focus on the whole child.
• Implemented HighScope curriculum including ELSA, Growing Readers, and Numbers Plus.
• Completed developmental assessments and portfolios based on observations and work samples.
• Maintained developmentally appropriate environments using ECERS and DRDP results as guidelines.
• Collaborated with teachers to share best practices, participated in NAEYC accreditation, and trained company staff during annual Inservice.

Contractor at FIRST 5 / VENTURA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION (2009-01 – 2013-12)

• Collaborated with partner agencies to evaluate and debrief preschool programs throughout Ventura County using the ECERS assessment tool.

Early Childhood Education Major – California State University Channel Islands (2012-03 – 2013-03)

Child Development Major – Cerro Coso Community College (2004-03 – 2009-03)

A.A. in Liberal Arts – Ventura/Oxnard College (1995-01)