Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Julie Johnson-Cheesman

Cedar Rapids,IA

Summary

Seeking a rewarding position in a setting that will utilize my 20 plus years of diversified customer service experience and provide opportunity for growth in the field.

Professional office support specialist with proven ability to manage administrative tasks efficiently and enhance workplace productivity. Strong focus on team collaboration, with adaptability to meet changing needs. Known for reliability, effective communication, and proficiency in scheduling, data management, and customer service, ensuring smooth operations and achieving results.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Office Assistant

Cedar River Insurance
Hiawatha, IA
01.2025 - 03.2026
  • Streamlined office operations by organizing files and documents for improved accessibility.
  • Coordinated scheduling and appointments, enhancing time management efficiency across departments.
  • Assisted in preparing reports and presentations, ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Managed incoming communications, directing inquiries to appropriate personnel promptly.
  • Led initiatives to digitize records, improving data retrieval speed and storage efficiency.
  • Maintained confidentiality in handling sensitive information while performing administrative tasks.
  • Enhanced office efficiency by managing schedules, organizing files, and maintaining a clean workspace.
  • Facilitated smooth operations by efficiently handling incoming mail, phone calls, and visitor inquiries.
  • Expedited document processing with accurate data entry and timely filing.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by providing professional and courteous front desk support.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment by fostering open communication among colleagues.
  • Prepared and edited documents to produce precise, accurate and professional communication.
  • Achieved high levels of accuracy in data entry tasks while adhering to strict deadlines.
  • Assisted in financial tasks such as invoicing, expense tracking, and budget preparation to ensure accuracy.
  • Supported executive staff with well-prepared reports, presentations, and meeting materials.
  • Ensured timely completion of projects by coordinating resources across multiple teams effectively.
  • Supported financial operations, processing invoices and payments, contributing to timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Managed incoming and outgoing correspondence, ensuring prompt and accurate delivery of information.
  • Improved data accuracy, entering and updating records in database with keen eye for detail.
  • Facilitated better customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and concerns via phone and email.

Teacher/Long Term Substitute

Cedar Rapids Community School District
Cedar Rapids, IA
03.2022 - 12.2024

ELA and Social Studies in 7th and 8th grades

Implemented behavior strategies for children with special needs

Strat2 BD classroom strategies

  • Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
  • Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
  • Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
  • Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
  • Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
  • Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
  • Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
  • Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
  • Worked with staff members and teachers to design comprehensive and individualized plans to optimize student education.
  • Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
  • Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
  • Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
  • Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.
  • Participated in department meetings to provide input to colleagues about student achievement and improvement.
  • Met with students, parents and administrators to address and resolve students' behavioral and academic issues.
  • Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
  • Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
  • Identified struggling students early on and provided additional support through tutoring sessions and modified lesson plans.
  • Scheduled conferences with parents to discuss students' progress and classroom behavior.
  • Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning.
  • Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
  • Completed student progress reports mid-term to notify students and parents of strengths and areas of improvement.
  • Designed detailed learning plans for struggling students based on test, homework and assignment records.
  • Increased educational expertise and knowledge by participating in instructor-oriented workshops.
  • Utilized data-driven instruction to tailor lessons for improved academic performance.

Paraprofessional

CRCSD
Cedar Rapids, IA
08.2015 - 08.2022
  • Supervised students during non-instructional periods such as lunch, recess, or field trips, ensuring safety at all times.
  • Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
  • Improved classroom management by assisting teachers with behavioral interventions and monitoring student progress.
  • Supported special education teachers in implementing accommodations and modifications for students with diverse learning needs.
  • Enhanced student support by delivering one-on-one and small group assistance in various subjects.
  • Implemented behavior management techniques effectively to maintain a structured learning environment conducive to student success.
  • Fostered a positive learning environment by establishing strong rapport with students, parents, and faculty members.
  • Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
  • Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
  • Promoted a respectful classroom culture by modeling appropriate behavior and reinforcing positive interactions among peers.
  • Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
  • Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
  • Enhanced classroom efficiency through organizing instructional materials, managing daily schedules, and preparing resources for lessons as needed.
  • Collaborated with teachers to develop and implement individualized education plans for students with special needs.
  • Assisted in the collection and analysis of data on student performance, contributing to ongoing progress monitoring efforts.
  • Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
  • Took part in professional development workshops to boost skills.
  • Reported on student progress, behavior, and social skills to parents.
  • Facilitated communication between general education and special education staff, promoting effective collaboration on behalf of students'' best interests.
  • Supported school initiatives by participating in professional development opportunities and collaborating with colleagues on best practices for student growth and achievement.
  • Assisted teachers in the development of engaging lesson materials aligned with curriculum standards for various subject areas.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to improve student engagement.
  • Demonstrated specific skills and activities for students to improve understanding and take excess workload off teachers.
  • Tailored lesson plans for students with emotional and cognitive disabilities.
  • Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate student progress and adjust instructional strategies as needed.
  • Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining thorough documentation of services provided to students with disabilities.
  • Strengthened student literacy skills through targeted reading intervention programs tailored to individual needs.
  • Assisted in the administration of standardized testing, ensuring accurate assessment of student performance levels.
  • Administered tests and assessments to evaluate student progress and performance.
  • Graded and provided feedback on assignments.

Customer Service Representative

Aegon Group, USA
11.2005 - 02.2007
  • Satisfied customers, policyholders, and agents requests in a timely manner
  • Researched information to assure customers were given accurate and complete responses concerning their fixed and variable annuities
  • Successfully completed between 60 to 90 calls from customers per day in busy call center

Office Manager

Farmers Insurance Group, Terryann Best Agency
04.2000 - 05.2005
  • Managed 1500 plus policy agency
  • Implemented sales and marketing strategies to maintain and increase agency growth
  • Maintained constant customer service and product knowledge to help sell property and casualty and life insurance products
  • Supervised Producer Agents in monthly sales quotas

Education

Bachelor Of Arts - Special Education

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
02.2022 - 03.2024

High School - General Studies

Marion High School
Marion, IA
08.1983 - 05.1987

Associate of Arts - Education

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
08.2020 - 01.2022

Skills

  • Critical thinking
  • Public speaking
  • Conflict resolution
  • Learning strategies
  • Technology integration
  • Performance assessments
  • Program development
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Team building
  • Task prioritization
  • Record keeping
  • Data analysis
  • Flexible and adaptive
  • Customer service
  • Data entry
  • Administrative support
  • Office administration
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Document management
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Calendar management
  • Multi-line phone proficiency
  • Payment processing
  • Customer relationship management (CRM)
  • Spreadsheet management
  • Database management
  • Problem resolution
  • Call center experience
  • Computer proficiency
  • Complaint resolution
  • Account management
  • Spreadsheets
  • CRM software
  • Email management
  • Attention to detail
  • Multitasking and organization
  • MS office applications
  • Customer account management
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Microsoft office
  • Administrative and office support

Timeline

Office Assistant

Cedar River Insurance
01.2025 - 03.2026

Teacher/Long Term Substitute

Cedar Rapids Community School District
03.2022 - 12.2024

Bachelor Of Arts - Special Education

Western Governors University
02.2022 - 03.2024

Associate of Arts - Education

Kirkwood Community College
08.2020 - 01.2022

Paraprofessional

CRCSD
08.2015 - 08.2022

Customer Service Representative

Aegon Group, USA
11.2005 - 02.2007

Office Manager

Farmers Insurance Group, Terryann Best Agency
04.2000 - 05.2005

High School - General Studies

Marion High School
08.1983 - 05.1987
Julie Johnson-Cheesman