Joel Frederick Kirk
Summary
Highly motivated and organized individual with 6+ years' experience in customer-facing roles. Committed to ensuring a positive customer experience. Accustomed to high pressure environments, people-management, and working to tight deadlines due to 7+ years' teaching experience.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Library Assistant
University of Huddersfield Library
Huddersfield
09.2015 - 07.2019
- Assisted patrons in locating library materials and resources.
- Answered patrons' questions and efficiently located requested materials to improve service satisfaction.
- Provided guidance on library services and technology use.
- Organized and shelved books to ensure easy access for patrons.
- Organized shelves, book displays, and other library areas according to established guidelines.
- Prepared materials and arranged spaces for library programs to enhance participant engagement.
- Collaborated with staff to enhance user experience and service delivery.
- Trained new staff on library procedures and customer service standards.
- Conducted inventory checks to maintain accurate collection records.
Administrative Assistant Intern
Gliding Stars of Western New York
Buffalo
05.2021 - 03.2023
- Managed daily office operations, ensuring organized filing systems for efficient retrieval.
- Supported program directors with research and documentation for project proposals.
- Handled correspondence, including emails and phone calls, with stakeholders efficiently.
- Tracked inventory of office supplies, facilitating timely reordering to maintain adequate stock levels.
- Created presentations and reports to enhance clarity and support decision-making in board meetings and strategic planning sessions.
Board of Trustees Member and Music Tutor
Duxford Saturday Music Trust
Cambridge
09.2023 - 12.2025
- Guided organizational governance and policy development to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Assessed program effectiveness through comprehensive evaluations and participant feedback to inform improvements.
- Facilitated discussions to drive consensus on key organizational decisions.
- Led engaging group music lessons on trumpet and ukulele to foster musical skills among adults and children.
- Coordinated discussions with parents on student development and lesson adjustments to support individual learning goals.
Teacher of Music (maternity cover)
Surrarrer Elementary School
Strongsville
02.2026 - Current
- Elementary school music teacher (Grades K-5).
- Delivered K-5 general music education curriculum, fostering students' musical skills and creativity.
- Adapted lessons for support needs groups, ensuring inclusive and accessible music education.
- Led school choir and organized end-of-year performances, showcasing student talent and building community engagement.
Teacher of Music
Chesterton Community College
Cambridge
09.2024 - 12.2025
- High school music teacher in the United Kingdom (grades 6-12).
- Classroom teaching; planning and delivering curricula in music theory and music technology.
- Band director (guitar/ukulele group, brass ensemble, steel pans, jazz bands).
- Grew guitar/ukulele group to 50+ students and jazz band to 30+ students, fostering a diverse musical environment.
- Coordinated school concerts featuring performances from 200+ students, enhancing community engagement and student participation.
- Co-led Easter concert with 200 student performers, ensuring continuity of department activities during head's absence.
- 100% pass rate for Seniors' end-of-high-school exams.
- Planning and assisting school trips (short and long-stay) to locations both in the UK and abroad.
Instructor of Record
State University of New York
Buffalo
09.2019 - 06.2023
- Supervised undergraduate and master's level composition students, fostering their development in musical composition.
- Developed and delivered course syllabi and lectures, enhancing curriculum engagement and student learning.
- Oversaw grader/assistant to ensure timely feedback on student work, supporting academic success and effective assessment.
- Lectured in composition, music theory, music in film, and popular music.
- Responsibilities included:
Music Theory Tutor
Self-employed
Huddersfield
03.2015 - 08.2019
- Instructed students (adults and children) in music theory for ABRSM Grades 1-5 examinations.
Academic advisor for international undergraduates
University of Huddersfield
Huddersfield
09.2018 - 07.2019
- Delivered lectures on student life and academic etiquette to enhance student understanding and integration.
- Held weekly office hours to mentor students on assignments and address academic issues, fostering academic success.
Education
BMus - Music
University of Huddersfield
Huddersfield06-2018
Skills
- customer service
- problem solving
- effective communication
- team collaboration
- organizational skills
- time management
- adaptability
Certification
- Full Ohio Driver's license, clean record
- US Green Card, permanent resident
References
- Elizabeth O'Donnell, Gliding Stars of WNY CEO (retired), eodonnell53@gmail.com
- Katharine Hutchinson, Assistant Headteacher, Chesterton Community College, khutchinson@CCC.tela.org.uk
- Arwen Gilbert, Duxford Saturday Workshop (director), director.duxsatwork@gmail.com
Affiliations
- Music, running, gym, museums
Timeline
Teacher of Music (maternity cover)
Surrarrer Elementary School
02.2026 - Current
Teacher of Music
Chesterton Community College
09.2024 - 12.2025
Board of Trustees Member and Music Tutor
Duxford Saturday Music Trust
09.2023 - 12.2025
Administrative Assistant Intern
Gliding Stars of Western New York
05.2021 - 03.2023
Instructor of Record
State University of New York
09.2019 - 06.2023
Academic advisor for international undergraduates
University of Huddersfield
09.2018 - 07.2019
Library Assistant
University of Huddersfield Library
09.2015 - 07.2019
Music Theory Tutor
Self-employed
03.2015 - 08.2019
BMus - Music
University of Huddersfield