M E L A N I E L A W H O R N
Aurora,CO
Summary
Professional Support Specialist with expertise in meticulous organization and effective communication. Proven ability to manage schedules, correspondence, and records while upholding high standards and maintaining confidentiality. Focused on fostering team collaboration and achieving reliable results. Dedicated, diligent, and reliable professional committed to supporting the team, serving customers, and continuously learning and growing in my career.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal's Secretary /Administrative Office Manager
Aurora Public Schools
03.2014 - Current
- Supported 4 Principals and 8 Assistant Principals with their daily schedules, meetings, and day-to-day tasks spanning over 18 years
- Coordinated and collaborated with all additional office staff
- Maintained and submitted payroll for 300+ employees
- Received and screened telephone calls, visitors, and incoming correspondence
- Provide secretarial/customer service skills to principals, staff, substitute teachers parents, and students in a professional manner
- Composed and proofread correspondence, reports, and confidential documents
- Adhered to confidentiality procedures to protect sensitive data and information
- Prioritized busy workload to organize time and complete tasks to schedule
- Accepted deliveries and registered mail following internal policies and supervisory direction
- Maintained and re-ordered inventory of necessary office and individual classroom needs and supplies to avoid shortages
- Performed basic administrative tasks to support office workflow
- Assisted visitors by answering questions or providing policy and procedure information
- Monitored deadlines and reminded staff of upcoming due dates to ensure the timely completion of projects
- Operated and maintained standard office equipment such as printers, copiers, and fax machines
- Provided customer service by addressing concerns and offering solutions
- Handled incoming calls and emails, providing prompt responses to inquiries
- Processed invoices, payments, and expense reports for the accounting department
- Created databases and spreadsheets to track important information
- Answered multi-line phone system and enthusiastically greeted callers.
- Maintained daily report documents, memos and invoices.
- Scheduled appointments, meetings, and travel arrangements for supervisors
- Assisted in onboarding new employees by organizing orientation materials
- Updated school and office calendar with new meetings, events and appointments to avoid overbooking
- Assisted office staff with software, equipment and supplies
- Guaranteed payroll accuracy by tracking time, calculating extras and updating forms
- Addressed inquiries within area of expertise, escalating when necessary
- Handled sensitive information discreetly, maintaining confidentiality when managing personnel files or financial data.
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling appointments and meetings to optimize time management.
- Provided exceptional customer service by promptly addressing inquiries and resolving issues professionally.
- Contributed to a positive work environment by providing support to colleagues when needed in various tasks or projects.
- Maintained accurate records of office expenses, assisting in budget preparation and cost control efforts.
- Managed sensitive and confidential information with discretion, upholding integrity of executive communications.
- Oversaw inventory of office supplies, ensuring availability and cost-efficiency.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Completed forms, reports, logs, and records to quickly handle all documentation for human resources.
- Continually sought methods for improving daily operations, communications with clients, recordkeeping, and data entry for increased efficiency.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
Special Education Paraprofessional
Aurora Public School District
08.2007 - 03.2014
- Developed strong rapport with students by demonstrating empathy, patience, and understanding during daily interactions both inside and outside the classroom setting.
- Managed challenging behaviors using de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and productive learning environment for all students involved.
- Assisted in the implementation of effective behavior management techniques, resulting in a more focused and positive classroom environment.
- Collaborated with teacher to create customized classroom environment integral to students' needs.
- Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
- Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education instruction and support services.
- Supported students with various disabilities through one-on-one tutoring sessions, improving their understanding of course materials and concepts.
- Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
- Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Partnered with speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other related service providers to ensure comprehensive support for each individual student''s growth and progress.
- Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive support strategies for each student, contributing to improved academic performance.
- Facilitated social skills development through targeted group activities, promoting positive peer relationships and increased self-confidence among special education students.
- Encouraged students to participate in school activities and programs to promote well-roundedness and increase confidence.
- Provided necessary accommodations for testing situations, ensuring fair opportunities for all students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
- Utilized assistive technology tools strategically in order to facilitate increased independence among students with diverse learning needs.
- Assisted in the organization of field trips and extracurricular events that offered valuable real-world experiences for special education students, fostering skill-building opportunities outside the classroom setting.
- Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
- Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.
- Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
- Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
- Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
Dental Office Manager
Clear Dental Associates
01.1995 - 08.2007
- Supported 4 Dentists and multiple Dental Assistants over a 12-year period
- Set standard operating procedures for accepting new patients, appointment cancellations, and other common occurrences
- Established office workflow and team scheduling to adequately cover office hours
- Used updated dental software to document patient data and services performed
- Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in all operations
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices for management efficiency
- Managed inventory levels to prevent shortages or excessive surplus
- Scheduled shifts and assigned tasks to optimize workforce productivity
- Scheduled appointments, prepared bills and maintained records
Education
High School Diploma -
Hinkley High School
Aurora, COLicensure - Cosmetology
T.H. Pickens Technical College
Aurora, CO05.1986
Skills
- ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT - calendar/schedule management, setting appointments, maintaining reminders, managing administrative tasks, answering inquiries, organizing materials, maintaining records, and ensuring smooth school operations, as a crucial link between the principal, staff, students, and parents
- EXCELLENT WRITTEN, VERBAL, ELECTRONIC, AND INTERPERSONAL and INTER OFFICE COMMUNICATION
- CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION
- CUSTOMER SERVICE - Administration, Teachers, Parents/Stakeholders, Staff, and all District Departments/Vendors
- OFFICE MANAGEMENT/OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
- STUDENT REGISTRATION/WITHDRAWAL
- DOCUMENT AND FILE MANAGEMENT, DATA MANAGEMENT, REPORT AND SPREADSHEET CREATION
- HIPAA GUIDELINE COMPLIANCE
- SUPPLY INVENTORY/PURCHASE ORDERING
- WEBSITE UPDATING
- PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION AND PROCESSING
- OFFICE EQUIPMENT TRAINING, UPKEEP, SUPPLIES, AND STERILIZATION
Timeline
Principal's Secretary /Administrative Office Manager
Aurora Public Schools
03.2014 - Current
Special Education Paraprofessional
Aurora Public School District
08.2007 - 03.2014
Dental Office Manager
Clear Dental Associates
01.1995 - 08.2007
High School Diploma -
Hinkley High School
Licensure - Cosmetology
T.H. Pickens Technical College
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