Cheryl-Ann Beattie
Dunfermline,Fife
Summary
Dedicated professional and ambassador for nature and nurture, educating and inspiring the next generation through practical outdoor learning, with a strong foundation in health and safety compliance, risk assessments, and previous first aid qualification. Demonstrates exceptional soft skills, including empathy, observational abilities, interpersonal communication, and leadership, with particular focus on promoting healthy growth and development in children. Committed to fostering safe environments for children in nature, and being fully present in my interactions. With over 20 years experience working with children and animals, I am fully committed to support a choice driven learning environment within nature.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
DMZAA Assessor
Sparsholt College
Winchester, Hampshire
09.2024 - Current
- Assessing the Raptor Module in the Diploma of Zoo and Aquarium Animals grading 2nd year candidates work, and providing constructive feedback fostering a continued learning environment.
- Reviewed course assignment and provided feedback for City and Guilds to improve student understanding.
- Maintained up to date knowledge of assessment criteria and industry standards to ensure fair evaluations when assessing by attending Assessor training meetings and reviewing the DMZAA Assessor handbook.
Community volunteer (Treetots 5 years and under)
Rosyth EATS
Rosyth, Fife
06.2024 - Current
- Setting up outdoor play space for toddlers and babies with crafts, water play, things collected in nature and games to allow them to freely explore and use imagination.
- Providing and preparing healthy fun snacks for children and adults offering a welcoming environment.
- Helping children to plant and grow their own snacks.
- Providing care to the orchard's chickens involving children to help clean, feed and enrich them nurturing responsible citizens within a nature setting.
- Engaging with parents to gain feedback on potential new offerings and events at the orchard.
Experienced Animal Keeper
RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh, Midlothian
07.2012 - Current
- Responsible for the care and welfare of animals, including husbandry, training and enrichment, general health and well-being, and maintenance of enclosures of the Birds of prey, Xenarthrans (Sloths and Armadillos) Wallabies, Meerkats, and Reptiles, to ensure their physical and mental health remains top priority.
- Followed bio-security measures ensuring minimal risk of disease spread within the zoo population and staff.
- Ensured animal, staff and visitor safety by following working procedures and risk assessments.
- Delivered educational and interactive keeper experiences to all ages and abilities, as well as displays raising awareness about endangered species and conservation efforts.
- Tailored keeper experiences to children and adults with additional support needs, ensuring high levels of care, safety and encouragement to protect, inspire and empower them.
- Adhering to internal policies such as safe guarding and inclusivity.
- Provided nutritional diets to animals for their growth and well-being.
- Restrained and administered medication to animals under veterinary supervision, aiding recovery process.
- Trained new staff members, assessing their progress and updating their training files.
- Lead the team in the absence of the manager, creating rotas, attending senior management meetings to feedback information to the section.
- Collaborating with other teams on projects and maintenance issues communicating effectively to ensure positive outcomes and deadlines are met.
Animal Presenter
Deep Sea World
North Queensferry, Fife
10.2003 - 02.2012
- Delivered fun educational presentations to visitors and school groups on marine, reptilian and amphibian life to promote conservation inspiring the younger generations.
- Created and adapted presentations and education classes according to different target audiences to ensure all levels and abilities are engaged.
- Conducted marine team experience, empowering ages 8-13 to become involved in marine conservation by taking part in feeds, talks and animal handling.
- Followed risk assessments and working procedures ensuring the safety of animals, staff and visitors was paramount.
- Acting supervisor 2011-2012, leading the presentations team and creating rotas with the correct levels of staffing ensuring the smooth running of the aquarium.
- Trained new staff on presentations and animal handling following correct working procedures.
- Reception duties and general maintenance of the aquarium.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Diploma in Zoo and Aquarium Animals
Sparsholt College
Sparsholt, Hampshire 10.2014 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Design - Printed Textile Design
University of Dundee
Dundee 08.2005 - 06.2009
Certificate of Higher Education - Vocational Certificate in Working Globally (Hospitality and Tourism)
Adam Smith College
Kirkcaldy, Fife 01.2012 - 06.2012
Advanced Highers - Art and Design - A, Drama - B
Inverkeithing High School
Inverkeithing, Fife 08.2008 - 06.2009
Highers - Art and Design - B, Drama - A, Computing - C, English - B, History - C, Product Design - B
Inverkeithing High School
Inverkeithing, Fife 08.2007 - 06.2008
Skills
Hard Skills
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Risk Assessment writing
- Previous First Aid Qualified
Soft Skills
- Empathy and compassion
- Observational skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Creativity
- Planning
- Leadership skills
- Resourcefulness
Affiliations
- Drawing, Crafting (card making) and interior design.
- Gardening, I love growing food at home with my little girl.
- Scuba diving, hill walking and running.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
DMZAA Assessor
Sparsholt College
09.2024 - Current
Community volunteer (Treetots 5 years and under)
Rosyth EATS
06.2024 - Current
Diploma of Higher Education - Diploma in Zoo and Aquarium Animals
Sparsholt College
10.2014 - 06.2016
Experienced Animal Keeper
RZSS Edinburgh Zoo
07.2012 - Current
Certificate of Higher Education - Vocational Certificate in Working Globally (Hospitality and Tourism)
Adam Smith College
01.2012 - 06.2012
Advanced Highers - Art and Design - A, Drama - B
Inverkeithing High School
08.2008 - 06.2009
Highers - Art and Design - B, Drama - A, Computing - C, English - B, History - C, Product Design - B
Inverkeithing High School
08.2007 - 06.2008
Bachelor of Design - Printed Textile Design
University of Dundee
08.2005 - 06.2009
Animal Presenter
Deep Sea World
10.2003 - 02.2012
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