Lana Craig
Pollock,LA
Summary
Goal-oriented and self-motivated professional with solid experience in leadership roles. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Collaborative and dedicated to building and leading talented and motivated individuals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Parish Chair and Assistant Extension Agent
LSU AgCenter
08.2021 - Current
- Manage financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Maintain meticulous records of meetings, decisions, and action items to ensure accountability and follow-through.
- Organize staff meetings, foundation meetings, and hiring committees
- Maintain impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making.
- Represent the organization at public events, advocating for its mission and values in the community.
- Mentor new Extension Agents, providing guidance on roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the position.
- Support and supervise extension agents, and support staff
- Promote and communicate diverse marketing strategies to create awareness about the programs, services, and educational opportunities available through in-person interactions, addressing local government meetings and events, with the aim of fostering stronger community connections and understanding of the Extension's impact
- Identify, recruit, train, and empower adult volunteers to take lead in different aspects of the extension program
- Develop programs for youth 3rd-12th grades, based on research-based information, and ensure programs are inclusive and nondiscriminatory, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds
- Optimize community engagement and expand outreach work to optimize community engagement and expand outreach by offering wide array of well-planned experiences and opportunities
- Increase 4-H member engagement by introducing monthly newsletters highlighting key achievements, opportunities, and upcoming events.
- Create appropriate educational materials, provide leadership for programs delivered by volunteers, and use variety of effective teaching methods to reach diverse audiences
Teacher
LaSalle and Grant Parish School Boards
08.2009 - 07.2021
- Taught Kindergarten, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades
- Created and implemented innovative, rigorous, differentiated, and engaging lessons to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success
- Promoted digital literacy by integrating technology into curriculum
- Maintained accurate and complete records of students' progress and development based on test scores and data points from DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills), DRC (Data Recognition Corporation) testing, and Fluency test
- Worked closely with Inclusion and Special Education Teachers to insure that all Individualized Education Program accommodations are met within the regular classroom
- Collaborated daily with co-workers to develop rigorous engaging classroom environment and activities and to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students
- 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
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child's educational journey
- Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings
- Served on school committees focused on curriculum development, teacher evaluations, or community outreach initiatives to contribute positively to the overall school climate
- Developed and executed formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, adjusting teaching strategies accordingly.
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
Junior League of Alexandria
01.2008 - 05.2009
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality of company documents and personnel records.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing client inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email correspondence.
- Maintained accurate financial records by reconciling accounts payable/receivable transactions regularly to ensure balanced budgets.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Coordinated office events and meetings, ensuring timely execution and optimal scheduling for all participants.
Verification Specialist
United State Investigative Service
06.2005 - 01.2008
- Prioritized workload efficiently, managing multiple cases simultaneously without compromising on quality or accuracy.
- Maintained a high level of professionalism when interacting with external parties during the verification process.
- Demonstrated excellent attention to detail while handling sensitive client information, ensuring confidentiality at all times.
Staff Accountant
Media General/KALB-TV 5
06.2000 - 05.2002
- Maintained general ledger accuracy through regular account reconciliations, journal entry adjustments, and transaction reviews.
- Monitored accounts receivable, accounts payable and other account balances to track transactions, avoid discrepancies and maintain accuracy.
- Prepared and processed journal entries to record in general ledger and maintain consistent documentation.
- Monitored cash flow closely to ensure sufficient funds were available for operational needs.
- Executed financial reporting, managing prepaid accounts, schedules, reconciliations, event settlements, and month-end accruals.
- Set up new vendors into Peoplesoft (specialized accounting software)
- Prepared both state and parish tax forms
- Prepared salesmen’s commissions each payroll
- Responsible for preparing month end accounting reports
- Collected and arranged financial information and entered details into Encoda financial management system.
Education
Master of Arts of Teaching -
Louisiana College
Pineville, LA12.2011
Bachelor of Science | Business Administration -
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA05.2000
Skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Organized and Efficient
- Attention to Detail
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Deadline Adherence
- Documentation And Reporting
- Ability to adapt to changes quickly
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Strategic leadership
- Staff Development
- Organizational Development
Accomplishments
- Teamwork and Collaboration Award 2023
- Teacher of the Year 2020-2021
- Aspiring Leaders Certification 2021
- Singapore Math: Number Sense and Computational Strategies Certification 2013
- Phi Beta Lambda - State Vice President, April 1999-May 2000 and Chapter President, August 1999-May 2000; Took part in the restructuring of the organization
- Baptist Student Union - mission field work
- Dean's Student Advisory Board - Met with President of NSU and Dean of the College of Business and discussed ideas for improvement in the College of Business
Professional Boards and Memberships
- 2023-Present State Food and Fitness Board Advisor
- 2022-Present Junior Ag Leadership Board Advisor
- 2022-Present 4-H Food Challenge Board Advisor
- 2021-Present LAE4-HYDP Member (Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals)
- 2021-Present NAE4-HYDP Member (National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals)
- 2023-2024 4-H University Advisory Board Member
- 2022-2024 District Livestock Advisory Board Member
- 2022-2024 4-H Summer Camp Advisory Board Member
- 2019-2021 Leadership Committee for Fellowship Elementary
Hobbies
- Spending time with family; hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping
- Singing in Church choir
- Reading
References
- LaTasha Hamilton, (318) 542-9240
- Madison Marien, (318) 541-2344
- Kimberly Deville, (337) 459-8483
- Brooke LaFargue, (337) 274-6364
Timeline
Parish Chair and Assistant Extension Agent
LSU AgCenter
08.2021 - Current
Teacher
LaSalle and Grant Parish School Boards
08.2009 - 07.2021
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
Junior League of Alexandria
01.2008 - 05.2009
Verification Specialist
United State Investigative Service
06.2005 - 01.2008
Staff Accountant
Media General/KALB-TV 5
06.2000 - 05.2002
Bachelor of Science | Business Administration -
Northwestern State University
Master of Arts of Teaching -
Louisiana College
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