Michelle Empson
Brighton,MI
Summary
Proactive and goal-oriented professional with time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Director
Learning Care Group
10.2022 - Current
- Managed a team of 20-25 Teachers, 100 families, and collaborated with 10 different school leaders weekly.
- Managed multiple incoming phone calls and emails
- Managed Kitchen details- Cooked nutritious meals daily, followed recipes and worked with the company registered Dietician
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Recruited and trained staff and volunteers to upgrade collective team skills.
- Mentored team members for professional development, resulting in increased productivity and job satisfaction.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Collaborated closely with executive leadership to develop strategic plans for long-term growth.
- Coordinated budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
- Promoted an inclusive environment by actively engaging diverse populations in all aspects of programming.
- Held monthly training meetings to support continued growth and develop skills.
- Implemented best practices in project management to optimize workflow efficiencies across the organization.
- Coordinated with regulatory bodies to ensure program compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
- Oversaw staff schedules and assignments to handle programming demands.
- Monitored programming trends to keep content relevant and up-to-date.
FCSV Supervisor
Orchards Children's Services
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Managed a staff of 4 Parenting coaches that services 4 counties.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Resolved conflicts among team members promptly, maintaining a harmonious working environment conducive to productivity.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Demonstrated commitment to the organization's core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Mentored junior staff members in their career development, sharing knowledge from years of experience in the field.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Implemented safety protocols to minimize workplace accidents and maintain compliance with industry standards.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and providing ongoing feedback to staff members.
- Developed staff skills through targeted training programs, resulting in improved performance and career growth opportunities.
- Implemented rewards and recognition program that significantly increased employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Managed diverse team, promoting inclusive work environment that leveraged individual strengths.
- Led successful project completions under tight deadlines, coordinating effectively across multiple teams.
- Boosted team morale and performance, organizing regular training sessions and motivational meetings.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.
Foster Care Supportive Services Parenting Coach
Orchards Children's Services
07.2018 - 08.2021
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary members and other Social workers to provide multiple services that supported a successful completion of the program.
- Continuously expanded knowledge of industry best practices by attending relevant conferences, workshops, and trainings.
- Provided crisis intervention support to struggling families, working closely with mental health professionals when necessary.
- Built strong relationships with community partners to expand available resources for foster families.
- Developed comprehensive care plans for each child in the program, ensuring their needs were consistently met.
- Advocated for the best interests of each child during court proceedings and family meetings.
- Enhanced the well-being of foster children by providing ongoing support, resources, and guidance to foster families.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by actively participating in staff meetings, sharing ideas, and offering constructive feedback on program initiatives.
- Monitored progress of children in placements, adjusting care plans as needed for optimal outcomes.
- Attended proceedings and testified for reunification and permanent placement cases.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Lead individualized and group counseling sessions with children and families.
- Provided in-home training and support to foster parents during weekly meetings to help mitigate problems arising from child behavior.
- Assisted clients with developing strategies to manage stress and increase productivity.
- Developed rapport with clients during interviews, creating a comfortable environment that encouraged open communication.
Lead Teacher, Toddler Room
Learning Care Group- Tutor Time
07.2016 - 08.2018
- Lead a classroom of 12 toddlers daily.
- Developed strong relationships with families, fostering trust and creating a welcoming atmosphere within the classroom.
- Adapted lessons to accommodate individual needs, supporting diverse learners in reaching their full potential.
- Assisted in maintaining a clean, organized, and inviting classroom environment that encouraged exploration and learning.
- Mentored and Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop a cohesive and consistent curriculum for the Toddler Room.
- Led enriching outdoor activities that promoted physical fitness, coordination, and exploration of the natural world.
- Supported language acquisition efforts by introducing new vocabulary words during daily conversations.
- Conducted regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss each child''s progress and address concerns or suggestions.
- Improved fine motor skills among toddlers by designing engaging arts and crafts projects.
- Achieved high levels of parental satisfaction through open communication and timely updates on their child''s growth and development.
- Enhanced toddler development by implementing age-appropriate learning activities and playtime experiences.
- Administered developmental assessments to evaluate each child''s progress and identify areas for targeted intervention.
- Fostered independence among toddlers by guiding them through self-help tasks such as dressing themselves or cleaning up after snack time.
- Partnered with parents in addressing challenging behaviors, developing effective strategies for improvement.
- Promoted social-emotional learning by facilitating group activities that encouraged teamwork and cooperation.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships and promote learning.
- Instructed children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toileting.
- Maintained tidy environment to comply with cleanliness and sanitation standards.
- Guided students to develop social, emotional and physical skills.
- Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
- Modeled positive behavior and communication skills for students.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
- Incorporated music, art and literature into curriculum.
Social Worker Assistant
Autumn Woods Health Care
06.2008 - 08.2015
- Managed 80-100 Short-term residents
- Discharge Planning
- Increased access to resources by building partnerships with local organizations that provide essential services.
- Upheld ethical standards of social work practice, ensuring that all actions were in the best interest of clients and their families.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of social work.
- Empowered individuals by assisting them in setting realistic goals for personal growth and self-sufficiency.
- Assisted social workers in developing comprehensive care plans for clients, improving their quality of life.
- Aided clients in navigating complex systems such as housing assistance, healthcare, and employment services.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Assisted in crisis intervention situations, providing immediate support and coordinating appropriate responses.
- Supported social workers in case management tasks, streamlining processes and increasing efficiency.
- Monitored client progress through regular check-ins and updates with supervising social workers.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure cohesive and effective support for clients and families.
- Promoted positive relationships between clients and service providers by acting as a liaison when necessary.
- Completed comprehensive psychosocial evaluations for new residents to identify needs and strengths.
- Completed detailed charts to summarize interactions with patients and booked follow-up sessions.
- Transitioned residents and supporting family members to facility protocols and operational standards, answering questions and resolving problems during onboarding processes.
- Conducted client assessments to identify needs, strengths, and areas for improvement, facilitating targeted interventions.
- Assisted in conducting needs assessments to identify key areas of service needs.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community organizations and agencies.
- Developed and implemented strategies to enhance quality of social services.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Baker College
Clinton Township, MI05-2018
Skills
- Relationship building
- Program leadership
- Staff development
- Task delegation
- Personnel supervision
- Policy implementation
- Operations oversight
- Customer service experience
- Group and individual instruction
- Innovation and creativity
- Accounts payables/receivables
- Curriculum development/Lesson planning
- Student records management
- Student/Family counseling
- Conflict resolution
- Child development
- Business management
- Classroom management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Recruitment and hiring
- Training and development
- Community engagement
- Administration
- Performance evaluation
- Program planning
- Needs assessments
- Multitasking
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Dependability and cooperation
- Program scheduling
- Team building
- Inventory management
- Hiring Scheduling
Timeline
Program Director
Learning Care Group
10.2022 - Current
FCSV Supervisor
Orchards Children's Services
08.2021 - 06.2022
Foster Care Supportive Services Parenting Coach
Orchards Children's Services
07.2018 - 08.2021
Lead Teacher, Toddler Room
Learning Care Group- Tutor Time
07.2016 - 08.2018
Social Worker Assistant
Autumn Woods Health Care
06.2008 - 08.2015
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Baker College
Similar Profiles
Makenzie JenkinsMakenzie Jenkins
Lead Infant Teacher at Learning Care GroupLead Infant Teacher at Learning Care Group
Linda LilienthalLinda Lilienthal
Lead Teacher/ Safety Captain at Learning Care GroupLead Teacher/ Safety Captain at Learning Care Group
Kimberly FKimberly F
Team Lead/Administrative Assistant at Learning Care GroupTeam Lead/Administrative Assistant at Learning Care Group