Maria Velazquez
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record at the School District of Philadelphia, enhancing student engagement through innovative lesson planning and behavior management. Skilled in individualized instruction and fostering positive learning environments, I effectively supported diverse learners, resulting in improved academic performance and strong student rapport. Committed to continuous professional development and collaboration.
Professional educator with significant experience in fostering learning environments. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Adept at classroom management, lesson planning, and student engagement. Reliable, adaptable, and ready to support dynamic educational needs.
Experienced with educational support, fostering positive student interactions and aiding in lesson delivery. Utilizes effective communication to facilitate learning and support classroom management. Knowledge of instructional methodologies and student engagement strategies.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Teacher
School District of Philadelphia
11.2017 - Current
- Assisted lead teacher in developing and implementing lesson plans for diverse learning styles.
- Supported classroom management initiatives to enhance student engagement and behavior.
- Collaborated with teachers to assess student progress and adapt instructional methods accordingly.
- Facilitated small group activities, promoting peer interaction and cooperative learning experiences.
- Provided individualized support to students with special needs, enhancing their educational experience.
- Maintained a safe and organized classroom environment conducive to student learning.
- Participated in professional development workshops to improve instructional techniques and strategies.
- Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
- Supervised recess, lunch and daily student intake and dismissal.
- Ensured a safe and supportive learning environment by enforcing classroom rules and addressing behavioral issues promptly.
- Completed daily reports, meal count sheets, and attendance logs.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Assisted lead teacher in providing individualized attention to students, resulting in improved academic performance.
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating genuine care for their well-being and academic success.
- Monitored and reported student progress and development, offering mentoring as needed.
- Kept records of student progress for teachers and parents and made notes on behavior, grades, comprehension, and personal growth.
- Worked with teacher to identify and target opportunities for instructional improvements.
- Assisted in implementation of new learning tools, systems and materials.
- Provided one-on-one and group-based learning support focused on student progress.
- Increased student engagement by incorporating hands-on activities and group projects into the curriculum.
- Participated in professional development opportunities, staying informed of best practices for teaching strategies and educational technologies.
- Supported lead teacher in organizing field trips, enhancing real-world connections to classroom content for increased understanding.
- Implemented differentiated instruction techniques to address diverse learning needs of the students in the class.
- Promoted literacy and comprehension skills through guided reading sessions.
- Created visually appealing bulletin boards that showcased student work and reinforced key concepts from lessons.
- Supported students with special needs, implementing strategies to facilitate their participation and learning.
- Fostered positive and supportive classroom atmosphere, encouraging student participation and confidence.
- Enhanced student engagement by implementing interactive and multimedia teaching tools.
- Conducted educational games and activities to reinforce learning concepts in enjoyable manner.
- Assisted in organizing and supervising school events and field trips, ensuring safe and educational experience for all students.
- Participated in professional development workshops, staying abreast of best practices in education.
- Contributed to development of IEPs, tailoring educational plans to individual student needs.
- Facilitated small group learning sessions, providing personalized attention to students struggling with course material.
- Enhanced student motivation by recognizing and rewarding progress and achievements in timely manner.
- Supported use of educational technology in classroom, enhancing learning experience.
- 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.
- Supported classroom management and instructional strategies to enhance student engagement.
- Assisted in curriculum development and lesson planning for diverse learning needs.
- Implemented individualized education plans (IEPs) to support student progress.
General Manager
Caribbeans Restaurants , Inc
06.2000 - 07.2012
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to enhance operational efficiency and profitability.
- Led cross-functional teams to drive project initiatives and improve service delivery.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor strategies to inform business decisions.
- Mentored junior management staff, enhancing leadership capabilities within the organization.
- Managed budget allocation and financial performance, optimizing resource utilization across departments.
- Streamlined processes through the adoption of technology solutions, improving overall productivity.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Established comprehensive employee training programs to develop skills, improve productivity, and maintain compliance with industry regulations.
- Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.
- Drove the successful execution of numerous large-scale events/promotions while closely managing costs/budgetary constraints associated with event planning/management activities.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with introduction of customer feedback system, leading to service improvements and repeat business.
- Developed and executed comprehensive employee training program, elevating staff skills and improving service delivery.
- Improved operational efficiency by streamlining workflow processes and adopting cutting-edge technology.
- Enhanced team collaboration and communication by introducing new project management tool, leading to more efficient project completions.
- Led team to exceed sales targets, implementing motivational incentives and comprehensive training programs.
- Streamlined inventory management processes, minimizing waste and ensuring optimal stock levels for uninterrupted operations.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Monitored daily cash discrepancies, inventory shrinkage and drive-off.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
- Supervised creation of exciting merchandise displays to catch attention of store customers.
- Directed operational strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and streamline service delivery.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring budget adherence and optimal resource allocation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Labor Relations
University of Puerto Rico
Rio Piedras 06-1999
Skills
- Effective parent-teacher communication
- Effective behavior management
- Effective verbal communication
- Career advancement
- Interdepartmental collaboration
- Language learning
- Specialized educational assistance
- Building student relationships
- Collaborative teamwork
- Active student participation
- Academic support
- Community engagement
- Interpersonal skills
- Effective parent communication
- Student engagement strategies
- Strong verbal communication
- Support for special needs students
- Diversity initiatives
- Learner-focused education
- Bilingual proficiency
- Specialized education expertise
- Curriculum development
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Assistant Teacher
School District of Philadelphia
11.2017 - Current
General Manager
Caribbeans Restaurants , Inc
06.2000 - 07.2012
Bachelor of Science - Labor Relations
University of Puerto Rico