Karen Brooks
Roanoke,Va.
Summary
Proven ability to enhance learning and dining experiences, as demonstrated at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, where innovative lesson planning and relationship building led to significant improvements in classroom engagement. Skilled in multitasking and adaptability, ensuring high standards of health, safety, and customer satisfaction.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
First Evangelical Presbyterian Church
2101 Jefferson St. SW Roanoke Va. 24014
01.2022 - Current
- Engaged and entertained children through recreational and educational activities.
- Organized snack time and nap hours.
- Taught children with creative approaches, methods, and techniques.
- Interacted with children one-on-one and in small groups to enhance and support learning activities.
- Maintained tidy and clean classroom consistent with safety and health standards.
- Encouraged children to interact with each other and participate in group activities.
- Assisted teacher by developing lesson plans to meet educational goals for each child.
- Maintained well-controlled classrooms by clearly outlining standards and reinforcing positive behaviors.
- Supported children's social and emotional development by encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Educated students in foundational concepts such as shapes, numbers, and letters.
Server
Roanoker Restaurant
Closed
06.2019 - 01.2021
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Resolved guest and employee complaints to maintain complete customer satisfaction and workforce effectiveness.
- Supported needs of 10- person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for family restaurant with social relevancy and intentionality.
Human Resource Analyst
Advance Auto Parts Headquarters
Employees Have Been Working Remotely Since 2020
10.2017 - 06.2018
- Provided troubleshooting and technical assistance in use of PeopleAdmin system.
- Advocated for staff members, helping to identify and resolve conflicts.
- Administered employee benefits programs and assisted with open enrollment.
- Monitored employee attendance and performance, addressing issues in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Collected and analyzed information to monitor compliance outcomes and identify and address trends of non-compliant behavior.
Server
Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
110 Shenandoah Ave. NE Roanoke Va. 24016
11.1999 - 05.2017
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Upsold high-profit items to enhance sales numbers.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Supported needs of 10- person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for fine dining restaurant with social relevancy and intentionality.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Education
Virginia Western Community College
3094 Colonial Ave. SW Roanoke Va. 24015Some College (No Degree) - Phlebotomy
Fast Track Health Care Education
1792 Apperson Dr. Salem Va. 24153High School Diploma -
Staunton River High School
Moneta, VA06.1982
Skills
- Lesson implementation
- Health and safety
- Curriculum Planning
- Age-Appropriate Activities
- Positive Reinforcement
- Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
- Relationship Building
- Strong Work Ethic and Dependable
- Professional Demeanor
- Lesson Planning
- Multitasking
Affiliations
- First Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Roanoke
Timeline
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
First Evangelical Presbyterian Church
01.2022 - Current
Server
Roanoker Restaurant
06.2019 - 01.2021
Human Resource Analyst
Advance Auto Parts Headquarters
10.2017 - 06.2018
Server
Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
11.1999 - 05.2017
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Education
Virginia Western Community College
Some College (No Degree) - Phlebotomy
Fast Track Health Care Education
High School Diploma -
Staunton River High School