Communicative Family Advocate with respect for diverse values and cultures. Determined professional with 15 years of experience supporting families with disabled children and fostering strong partnerships. Remains calm and poised in all types of situations.
Offering compassionate approach with genuine interest in family advocacy, and eager to learn and develop in this environment. Brings strong ability to understand and navigate family dynamics, along with effective communication and conflict resolution skills. Ready to use and develop these skills in Volunteer & Community Relations Coordinator role.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
Hooked On Sweets
02.2023 - Current
Managed day-to-day business operations.
Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
Negotiated contracts with suppliers for better pricing and terms, reducing overall costs for the business.
Established a positive workplace culture that fostered employee engagement, collaboration, and loyalty.
Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
Ensured regulatory compliance by staying abreast of industry-related changes and implementing necessary policies or procedures as needed.
Evaluated industry competition regularly to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
Developed and implemented strategic plans for revenue growth, focusing on diversification and market expansion.
Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
Bakery Clerk
Publix Bakery
04.2018 - Current
Checked expiration dates and rotated products to verify freshness and avoid spoilage.
Balanced multiple tasks simultaneously during busy periods while still delivering exceptional customer service experiences.
Arranged bakery displays to showcase baked goods, cakes, and pies to drive product sales.
Maintained tidy and organized work area to comply with cleanliness standards.
Ensured compliance with food safety regulations by maintaining a clean and organized workspace at all times.
Assisted in inventory management by accurately tracking stock levels and promptly replenishing supplies as needed.
Helped train new employees on proper baking techniques, equipment usage, and customer service best practices.
Inspected goods to establish accurate pricing and labeling.
Recommended new bakery items to customers based on taste preferences, building rapport and boosting sales.
Helped customers locate ideal menu items by listening to needs and recommending specific products or services.
Communicated effectively with store management regarding bakery operations, addressing potential issues proactively before they escalated into larger problems.
Engaged with customers to gather feedback on bakery products, using insights to guide future product development.
Addressed customer inquiries with knowledge and courtesy, building trust and enhancing shopping experience.
Lead Bilingual Family Advocate
Child Care Group / Head Start Of Greater Dallas
07.2010 - 07.2016
Empowered families by providing them with tools and resources needed to make informed decisions about their futures.
Identified available community resources and programs for families of disabled children.
Enhanced family support by conducting thorough assessments and identifying specific needs.
Built trusting relationships with clients through active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity during interactions at work or home visits.
Visited homes of families and maintained appropriate contact as directed by agency procedures.
Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and provide personalized guidance on parenting challenges.
Facilitated support groups for parents, fostering a sense of community and shared learning experiences.
Maintained timely documentation of case progress, ensuring clear communication among all involved parties.
Organized community outreach events, raising awareness about available resources for struggling families.
Connected families with essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education opportunities to improve overall quality of life.
Developed individualized service plans for families, resulting in improved well-being and stability.
Managed heavy caseload using well-developed time management, organizational, and task prioritization skills.
Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex issues impacting families'' lives.
Assessed progress towards goals regularly, adjusting service plans accordingly based on family feedback and professional observations.
Provided comprehensive case management services to ensure coordinated, effective interventions.
Trained new Family Advocates in best practices to ensure consistent service delivery across the organization.
Observed security measures to maintain confidentiality and restrict access by unauthorized individuals.
Collaborated with families to assist in growth, development, and education to increase potential.
Led educational workshops for parents on topics such as child development and positive discipline techniques to strengthen parent-child relationships.
Coordinated referrals from other agencies, streamlining access to supportive services for clients in need.
Created a safe environment for open dialogue between family members during mediation sessions leading towards conflict resolution.
Monitored and evaluated program outcomes, utilizing data to inform future strategies and continuously improve service delivery.
Developed strong partnerships with local organizations while actively identifying gaps in services, thereby bridging the resources to meet family needs.
Partnered with local schools to facilitate communication between parents and educators regarding individual student needs.
Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
Planned, promoted and managed parent workshops on assisting children in attaining academic success.
Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss, anger management and social skills.
Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
Developed and implemented programs to support children's mental health and well-being.
Lead individualized and group counseling sessions with children and families.
Arranged medical and psychiatric tests to identify difficulties and indicate potential remedial approaches.
Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
Translator and Interpreter
Las Vegas 1031 Club
09.2004 - 04.2010
Translated documents from English to Spanish.
Enabled smoother negotiations for clients with foreign counterparts by offering real-time interpretation support.
Provided verbal summaries of non-English documents for immediate use.
Upheld strict confidentiality guidelines when handling sensitive information or classified documents for clients.
Maintained high linguistic standards across all translations through rigorous proofreading and editing processes.
Improved cultural understanding among colleagues by providing language training sessions and workshops on foreign customs and practices.
Enhanced client satisfaction by delivering accurate translations and interpretations within tight deadlines.
Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and adaptability during interpretation assignments, fostering positive relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Enabled effective communication between doctors and patients with limited English proficiency by interpreting medical appointments accurately.
Received positive feedback from clients for exceptional attention to detail in translated documents and interpreted conversations.
Researched cultural etiquette and specific use of slang words.
Interpreted spoken and written languages other than English and vice versa.
Reviewed final work to spot and correct errors in punctuation, grammar, and translation.
Interpreted conversations simultaneously to help both parties conduct business, handle medical needs or manage personal concerns.
Interpreted conversations between foreign language-speaking clients and others.
Assisted foreign language-speaking clients with inquiries.
Reviewed, edited and proofread translated documents for accuracy.
Completed precise translations of official documents with correct words and phrasing to meet legal standards.
Proofread, edited and improved documents of different sizes.
Collaborated with team to translate series of documents from English to other languages.
Created detailed reports on accuracy of translated documents.
Maintained message content, tone, and emotion as closely as possible.
Developed strategies to perform accurate and consistent translations.
Facilitated communication between law enforcement personnel and individuals involved in crimes such as witnesses, persons of interest, and suspects.
Monitored progress of translation projects and reported issues to appropriate personnel.
Early Childhood Bilingual Special Ed. Teacher
Clark County Public Schools
08.2002 - 08.2004
Designed engaging activities that targeted specific skill gaps for struggling learners, resulting in increased academic achievement over time.
Promoted parent involvement in their child''s education by organizing workshops on topics such as positive reinforcement strategies at home or ways to support academic success outside of school hours.
Enhanced student learning by implementing differentiated instruction techniques tailored to individual needs.
Improved student engagement and retention through creative lesson planning and consistent feedback.
Served as a liaison between general education teachers and special education staff to ensure seamless integration of accommodations for students with disabilities into mainstream classrooms.
Developed strong relationships with parents, fostering open communication about student progress and goals.
Evaluated student performance consistently, using various assessment methods to measure growth and inform future instruction.
Implemented data-driven instruction, analyzing assessment results to identify areas of improvement for both individual students and overall curriculum planning.
Created a safe and inclusive learning environment that promoted respect, empathy, and understanding among students.
Participated in professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in special education teaching techniques.
Supported students'' social-emotional growth through one-on-one counseling sessions focused on conflict resolution, self-awareness, and goal-setting strategies.
Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.
Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
Taught multiple subjects to students with intellectual or emotional disabilities.
Instructed students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Led activities that developed students' physical, emotional, and social growth.
Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
Assisted struggling students to maintain progress levels by designing individualized lesson plans focused on areas for improvement.
Coordinated special education students and teacher assistant schedules with master schedule.
Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
Facilitated small group instruction to address individual learning needs.
Planned daily activities to keep students engaged and on track with learning goals.
Implemented behavior modification techniques to improve student social and academic performance.
Collaborated with other educators to develop instructional strategies.
Conducted assessments of students to determine individual needs.
Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance.
Monitored student performance to evaluate effectiveness of instructional strategies.
Developed and implemented behavior management plans to improve student behavior.
Coordinated regular meetings to share and analyze student performance data and success plans with colleagues and parents.
Designed individual education plans to encourage student growth according to different learning abilities and needs.
Worked closely with parents and guardians to address students' issues on multiple fronts.
Developed Individual Education Plans for students with special needs.
Helped students with special needs integrate into general classroom environments by advocating for individual requirements and helping teachers solve problems.
Provided professional development training to educate faculty and staff on laws and regulations governing special education.
Mentored new teachers on student progress monitoring and legal document preparation.
Bilingual 1st Grade Teacher
Chicago Public Schools CPS
08.1996 - 07.2001
Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring all students made progress towards academic goals.
Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need for individual students and adjust teaching methods accordingly.
Assessed student progress regularly using formative assessments and modified instruction accordingly for optimal growth.
Established strong relationships with parents through effective communication about their child''s academic progress and social-emotional development.
Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
Increased parent involvement in their child''s education by conducting regular parent-teacher conferences and providing resources for at-home learning support.
Developed students'' critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning activities and group projects.
Implemented positive behavior support strategies, promoting a respectful and inclusive classroom culture.
Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lessons that connected subjects such as math, science, and social studies.
Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication.
Contributed to the development of the school improvement plan by analyzing data trends, setting goals, and implementing targeted interventions.
Led professional development workshops on best practices in elementary education for fellow educators within the school district.
Participated in professional development workshops to stay current with educational best practices.
Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles within assigned grade level.
Reinforced positive behavior by encouraging efforts through affirmation statements and praising accomplishments.
Maintained knowledge of school curricula, standards and policies to correctly prepare students for higher grade levels.
Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
Pursued professional development during summer months to maintain certification and extend skills.
Prepared and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
Administered various reading tests and determined student reading levels based on assessment findings.
Met with parents to review Individualized Education Plans for at-risk students.
Coached, mentored and evaluated student teachers for progress against program objectives.
Created supportive and inclusive learning environments, fostering positive classroom atmospheres supporting student growth and learning.
Integrated technology and multimedia tools into lessons to enhance student learning.
Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance.
Retained student interest and maximized receptive learning.
Attended students' concerts, sporting events and performances to offer support and encourage extracurricular activities.
Chicago Teacher Union Steward
Chicago Teachers Union
04.2000 - 04.2001
Enhanced member satisfaction by addressing grievances promptly and effectively.
Enhanced the visibility of the union''s mission, values, and accomplishments by regularly updating communication materials such as newsletters, websites, or social media channels.
Negotiated favorable agreements for union members by participating in collective bargaining sessions.
Promoted a culture of solidarity among workers by organizing social events and opportunities for both union members and non-union employees to engage in team-building activities.
Maintained compliance with union contracts through careful review and communication of relevant information to members.
Promoted collaboration between union members and management, fostering a positive workplace culture.
Supported the development of strong workplace policies by collaborating with management and employees.
Educated new employees on their rights, benefits, and responsibilities as union members during orientation sessions.
Assisted in the resolution of conflicts involving both union members and non-union employees, maintaining harmony in the workforce.
Led training programs for new stewards to ensure they were equipped with the knowledge necessary to represent their constituents effectively within their respective workplaces.
Provided guidance to fellow stewards in handling challenging situations or navigating difficult decisions within their roles as representatives of their peers.
Organized regular meetings to communicate important updates and gather feedback from union members.
Maintained accurate records related to member concerns, grievances filed, resolutions achieved, and other pertinent data for future reference or analysis purposes.
Improved labor relations by mediating disputes and promoting a supportive work environment.
Facilitated open communication channels between union leadership, membership, and management teams to ensure transparency in decision-making processes.
Participated in labor-management meetings to discuss labor issues.
Reduced grievances and arbitration needs by educating frontline managers on techniques for enhancing interactions between labor and leadership.