Heather Kokinda
Librarian Aide
Minot
Summary
Professional librarian aide with high standards and strong commitment to achieving results. Skilled in cataloging, reference services, and digital resource management. Reliable team collaborator who adapts seamlessly to changing needs and ensures effective service delivery. Known for strong organizational skills, effective communication, and positive attitude.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Librarian
Minot Public Schools - Memorial Middle School
08.2024 - Current
- Foster positive relationships with patrons from diverse backgrounds ensuring equal access to all information resources.
- Assist in budget management by tracking expenditures on books, materials, and supplies within established guidelines.
- Promote digital literacy among patrons by offering one-on-one assistance with e-resources and technology use.
- Aide librarian in collection development activities, using knowledge of patron needs to recommend relevant additions.
- Maintain a welcoming environment for patrons by keeping the library clean, organized, and well stocked.
- Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the library field.
- Contribute to overall library efficiency by assisting in circulation desk duties such as checking out materials and managing holds.
- Evaluate and adapted library practices to support the institution''s mission and adapt to evolving patron needs.
- Streamlined interlibrary loan process through effective communication with other libraries in the network.
- Collaborate with colleagues to design engaging displays that showcased new arrivals and promoted reading interests.
- Monitor library environments to maintain safe, hazard-free settings.
- Help students select appropriate reading level library books.
- Answered questions from patrons and help to find desired materials.
- Maintain and update patron records in library system database.
- Locate desired customer items through interlibrary loan system and coordinated deliveries.
- Keep library shelves and printed materials well-stocked and organized according to established system.
Substitute
Minot Public Schools
01.2022 - Current
- Assist additional teachers in building as able
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, ensuring a safe and respectful atmosphere for all students.
- Provided timely feedback on assignments, helping students identify areas of improvement and gain confidence in their abilities.
- Increased overall class participation by fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
STARBase
Minot Public Schools
08.2019 - 02.2021
- Created fast paced interactive hands on activities that exposes students to a variety of STEAM topics; co2 cars, CAD programs, robotics, fluidity, Newton’s Laws etc
- Participated in running STEAM activities for community events.
- Worked closely with community members on the Minot AFB to promote continuity between the Department of Defense and Minot Public Schools.
5th Grade Teacher
Minot Public Schools
08.2010 - 08.2019
- Administered assessments both locally and nationally to identify student skills and weaknesses.
- Created interactive lessons that focused on skills to synthesize information to promote executive function.
- Conducted parent/teacher conference to discuss student progress for future growth.
Reading Clinic
Minot State University
05.2010 - 08.2010
- Administered an Informal Reading Inventory to identify student skill and weaknesses.
- Created interactive reading lessons that focused on comprehension and fluency such as water balloon hop-scotch, sketch to stretch and eye-view rate.
- Conducted parent/clinician conference to discuss student progress during clinic and recommendations for future growth during the remainder of the summer.
Student Teaching, 1st Grade
Surrey Elementary School
01.2010 - 05.2010
- Conceptualized and integrated a unit on Nutrition that provided students with an understanding and appreciation for the food they consume through hands-on experiments and project-orientated exercises in all subject areas.
- Utilized computers (NEO Board) and visual aids as educational tools to furthering students’ understanding of course material, and to develop/reinforce computer and keyboarding skills.
- Extensive utilization of manipulatives in math and science.
- Participated in team planning and teaching.
- Demonstrated excellent classroom management skills and a passion for teaching.
- Participated in parent conferences discussing students’ progress and expectations.
- Communicated with parents through a weekly news letter.
Practicum, 4th Grade
Lewis and Clark Elementary School
09.2009 - 12.2009
- Incorporated cross-curricular components into lessons and units. Designed, planned and presented in-depth units on quadrilaterals, magnets and the Geography of North Dakota.
- Employed an integrated approach towards teaching by incorporating multiple teaching methods that included: cooperative learning, story mapping, compare and contrast, sequencing, charting, prediction, and discussion.
- Successfully used enrichment activities and behavior modification techniques as a motivator for completing homework and projects, and for improving overall class conduct.
Language Arts Pre-practicum, 6th Grade
Ramstad Middle School
08.2008 - 05.2009
- Co-taught lesson on the Reading Strategies of questioning by utilizing graphics and visual representation of a sandwich.
- Lead small group discussion focusing on the Reading Strategies of inferring, context clues, and identifying main idea.
- Initiated whole class teaching of Language Arts during cooperating teacher’s absence.
Science Pre-practicum, 3rd Grade & K
Surrey Elementary School
08.2008 - 05.2009
- Co-taught interactive science lesson for a Kindergarten class that focused on the principle of frequency distribution to predict a larger whole using the book How I Became A Pirate by David Shannon.
- Developed and facilitated Third Grade lesson on the scientific experiment by posing the question of toilet paper thickness and the process of discovery.
Reading Parent, 1st Grade
Edison Elementary School
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Provided one-on-one tutoring to students to achieve and sustain target levels in the area of word identification and reading.
Art Parent, Kindergarten
Edison Elementary School
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Created 7 interactive lesson that integrated Social Studies and the creation of art using a variety of mediums and the inspiration of famous works such as “Tableau I” by Piet Mondrian.
Manager
Sykes Inc
08.2004 - 02.2009
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
- Mentored junior team members for career advancement, fostering a pipeline of future leaders within the organization.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and implementing appropriate solutions.
- Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores by overhauling customer service protocols and training staff in customer engagement techniques.
- Boosted employee morale and reduced turnover through development and implementation of comprehensive rewards and recognition program.
- Organized professional development programs for staff, leading to improved performance and skill sets.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
Commission Specialist
Amerus Insurance
01.2003 - 10.2004
- Assisted HR department in developing clear job descriptions that accurately reflected responsibilities tied to variable compensation components.
- Conducted thorough audits of commission payments to ensure compliance with company policies and guidelines.
- Maintained detailed documentation on all aspects of the commission program, facilitating easy reference for team members when needed.
- Resolved complex commission issues through dedicated research and problem-solving skills, leading to increased satisfaction among sales staff.
- Streamlined reporting processes for both internal stakeholders and external partners, enhancing transparency and communication.
- Trained new hires on the commission system, ensuring smooth transitions and consistent understanding of processes.
- Participated in cross-functional projects aimed at improving overall business operations related to commissions management.
- Served as a trusted resource for colleagues across the organization, providing information and guidance on all matters related to commission management.
- Worked closely with IT department to enhance existing software tools for more efficient commission processing.
- Improved efficiency in the commission process by optimizing data entry and validation procedures.
- Maintained confidentiality of employee records and payroll information.
Compensation Specialist III
ING
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Participated in industry conferences and workshops to stay current on best practices in the field of compensation management and bring innovative ideas back to the organization.
- Analyzed data from internal sources and external benchmarks to continually assess the effectiveness of current compensation strategies.
- Streamlined salary administration process for increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Developed custom reports and dashboards to provide management with up-to-date information on key compensation metrics.
- Provided expert guidance on compensation-related matters to managers during recruitment, promotion, or reassignment processes.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state wage laws by regularly reviewing and updating compensation policies.
- Managed various compensation projects such as salary structure development, incentive plan design, and executive compensation analysis.
- Analyzed and evaluated existing compensation and benefits programs and recommended improvements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education, Elementary Education, Reading Endorsement
Minot State University
Minot, ND05-2010
Skills
Destiny
Follett
Friendly, positive attitude
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management
Excellent communication
Computer (Microsoft & Apple) skills
Customer service
Multitasking
Dependable and responsible
Calm under pressure
Certification
Teaching License, North Dakota, 08/13/23
Professional Organizations
- X- Family Fundraising, current
- Students of North Dakota Education Association, 2008-2010
- North Dakota Reading Association, 2008-2020
- Beta Sigma Phi International, Legacy
Accomplishments
- Achieved 50% increase in circulations by completing an overhaul to the Manga and Graphic Novel catalog with accuracy and efficiency.
- Achieved 90% decrease in late notices by completing school wide library schedule.
Timeline
Assistant Librarian
Minot Public Schools - Memorial Middle School
08.2024 - Current
Substitute
Minot Public Schools
01.2022 - Current
STARBase
Minot Public Schools
08.2019 - 02.2021
5th Grade Teacher
Minot Public Schools
08.2010 - 08.2019
Reading Clinic
Minot State University
05.2010 - 08.2010
Student Teaching, 1st Grade
Surrey Elementary School
01.2010 - 05.2010
Practicum, 4th Grade
Lewis and Clark Elementary School
09.2009 - 12.2009
Language Arts Pre-practicum, 6th Grade
Ramstad Middle School
08.2008 - 05.2009
Science Pre-practicum, 3rd Grade & K
Surrey Elementary School
08.2008 - 05.2009
Reading Parent, 1st Grade
Edison Elementary School
08.2007 - 05.2008
Art Parent, Kindergarten
Edison Elementary School
08.2007 - 05.2008
Manager
Sykes Inc
08.2004 - 02.2009
Commission Specialist
Amerus Insurance
01.2003 - 10.2004
Compensation Specialist III
ING
01.2000 - 01.2003
Bachelor of Science - Education, Elementary Education, Reading Endorsement
Minot State University