Kiana Amirifar

I am a recent Portland State University graduate with a strong passion for environmental sustainability, animal welfare, art, and plant-based living. I am a quick learner, dependable, and enjoy hands-on work and connecting with others. Through my environmental and art based coursework, experience as a toddler teacher, volunteering with animal rescue sanctuaries, and years of experience with art and ceramics, I have developed strong communication, creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

I am excited to find meaningful work where I can continue learning, use my creativity and practical skills, and contribute to a cause I care about.

Toddler Teacher at Vermont Hill Family Life Center VA (2023-07 – 2024-08)

• Created and implemented developmentally appropriate lesson plans supporting cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development.
• Collaborated with speech and behavioral therapists and parents to support individualized student needs and monitor progress.
• Developed individualized strategies to reduce challenging behaviors during classroom transitions, including structured classroom jobs, sensory supports, calming spaces, and breathing exercises.
• Implemented language-development strategies to help a student communicate emotions, needs, and personal boundaries.
• Maintained daily records of new vocabulary and language progress to monitor development.
• Participated in weekly meetings with a speech therapist and monthly meetings with a behavioral therapist and the child's parents to discuss progress and adjust strategies.
• Contributed to significant improvements in communication and behavior within one month; by the time the child transitioned from the classroom, language development had become one of the strongest in the class and aggressive behaviors were practically nonexistent.

Infant/Toddler Teacher at Pockets Full of Posies Child Development Center (2020-02 – 2021-08)

• Created and implemented activities for infants and toddlers using the Reggio Emilia approach.
• Documented children's daily developmental progress through an online platform for parents.
• Communicated regularly with parents regarding children's activities, development, and classroom experiences.
• Self-taught basic Spanish to communicate with a Spanish-speaking child in the classroom.

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies – Portland State University (PSU) (2026-08)

Associate of Child Development in Child Development – SafeGard Classes Online (2020-11)