Melinda Gales
Harlem,GA
Summary
Forward-thinking Education Coordinator candidate experienced working in educational and museum settings. Focused on building connections with students to strengthen engagement by providing students with a unique on-site educational experience. Knowledgeable about planning projects to diversify instruction, immerse students in subject material, and promote continuous and real-world skill-building.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher
Just Add Sprinkles Homeschool Enrichment Program
Augusta, GA
11.2023 - Current
- Supervisor: Ms. Desria Seay, 615-564-0732, dseay@justaddsprinkles.org (Can contact)
- Paid position.
- Incorporated instructional best practices such as differentiated instruction into lesson plans.
- Engaged students through videos, lectures, and moderated discussions, increasing classroom interaction to build an inclusive learning environment.
- Prepared and maintained classroom environments appropriate for student learning and physical, social, and emotional development.
- Supervised students throughout the day, both in the classroom and outside during breaks.
Youth Leader
Unitarian Universalist Church Of Augusta
Augusta, GA
09.2023 - Current
- Supervisor: Ms. Desria Seay, 615-564-0732, cfm@uuaugusta.org (Can contact)
- Paid position.
- Educated and inspired church youth about UU principle-based instruction regarding issues facing young people of different backgrounds, including, but not limited to, neurodivergent youth, LGBTQIA+, and those who are homeschooled.
- Counseled youth on personal issues related to family dynamics, peer pressure, substance abuse prevention, and mental health awareness.
- Supported older youth in making positive behavior choices.
- Planned and completed group projects, working smoothly with others.
Teacher
SOAR Academy
Augusta, GA
03.2023 - 10.2023
- Supervisor: Kenisha Skaggs, 762-441-0411 (No contact)
- Created and utilized a child-based, hands-on curriculum to promote student interest and receptive learning.
- Planned and implemented lessons using various teaching strategies to meet diverse student needs.
- Created lesson plans and chose supporting materials to promote positive learning experiences.
- Engaged students through videos, lectures, and moderated discussions, increasing classroom interaction to build an inclusive learning environment.
- Differentiated instruction according to student skill level.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of all students.
- Encouraged critical thinking skills and problem-solving strategies among students.
- Incorporated instructional best practices such as differentiated instruction into lesson plans.
- Remained calm and patient in student interactions to support individual growth and development.
- Utilized behavior management skills to foster an environment conducive to student learning.
- Prepared and maintained classroom environments appropriate for student learning and physical, social and emotional development.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
Director of Religious Education
Unitarian Universalist Church Of Augusta
Augusta, GA
07.2017 - 08.2020
- Supervisor: Rev. Don Cameron (no longer employed there)
- Paid position.
- Tailored instruction to provide access and inclusion for children with special learning needs.
- Developed lesson plans following curricula and core UU Principles.
- Assessed the effectiveness of existing curricula used throughout different age groups, making suggestions for improvement when necessary.
- Oversaw development of new materials needed for Religious Education programs, including books, videos, and audio recordings, keeping costs within budget limits.
- Served as a mentor for young adults seeking guidance on matters related to their faith journey.
- Determined allocations of funds for classroom supplies and materials, authorizing purchases.
- Recruited, hired, and trained primary and supplemental teaching staff.
- Supervised nursery staff for infants, toddlers, and pre-school-aged children.
- Provided oversight and leadership to volunteers in charge of religious education classes.
- Created congregational awareness to encourage religious education program participation.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Planned and completed group projects, working smoothly with others.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new opportunities.
Registrar
Museum Of The Confederacy
Richmond, VA
12.2007 - 01.2011
- Supervisor: Robert Hancock, Director of Collections & Senior Curator, 804-649-1861 (Can contact)
- Coordinated care and historical interpretation of the White House of the Confederacy (built 1818) with the Curator and the Archivist.
- Coordinated with the Museum's Educational Department to develop accurate materials for programs, classes, and docent tour for the Museum and the White House of the Confederacy.
- Compiled registration, accession, and conservation records for new donations and the established collection of thousands of objects including flags, clothing, photographs, archives, weaponry, and the furnishings of the White House of the Confederacy.
- Provided exhibition support through research, object selection, and best practices for installation.
Collections Manager
Valentine Richmond History Center
Richmond, VA
06.2001 - 04.2004
- Supervisor: Suzanne Savery, Head Curator (No longer employed there)
- Paid position.
- Co-managed care and display of furnishings in the Wickham House (built 1812)
- Co-managed renovation of the Edward V. Valentine Studio (built 1830s; remodeled by Valentine 1871; restored early 2000s)
- Participated in the conservation of Edward V. Valentine's plaster sculptures.
- Managed registration, accession, and conservation records for the museum's collections, established in 1898.
- Wrote the museum's Disaster Plan, Data-Management manual, and grant proposals to fund both.
- Worked closely with the Education Department and Curatorial staff to research and select materials for exhibitions and supporting educational programs.
- Oversaw and trained new employees on acquisition procedures, documentation requirements, and object-handling strategies.
Assistant Archivist
James Branch Cabell Library, VCU
Richmond, VA
05.1997 - 06.2001
- Supervisor: Ray Bonis, Archives Coordinator, 844-352-7399
- Paid position.
- Organized and cataloged archival collections for efficient retrieval.
- Trained new staff members in proper methods for handling historic documents.
- Advised staff on best practices for handling fragile items in the archive collection.
- Developed organizational systems for newly digitized content to streamline usage.
- Prepared reports on the status of various archives projects.
- Researched existing collections to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within them.
- Created and maintained retrievable computer archives and databases.
- Created finding aids for historical documents and other collections.
- Provided reference assistance to patrons by answering inquiries about archival materials.
- Prepared recordkeeping systems and procedures for archival research and retention or destruction of records.
- Assisted in preserving and digitizing archival materials, including books, manuscripts, records, photographs, maps, audio-visual recordings, and artifacts.
- Supervised student interns working in the archives department.
- Scanned paper records into a digital format using specialized scanning software programs.
- Developed strategies to improve access to archival resources.
- Assisted with creating descriptive metadata for digital objects per established standards.
- Designed dynamic educational exhibits to showcase the Book Art Collection, the Comic Book Collection, and new acquisitions.
- Collaborated with the Valentine Museum (now the Richmond History Center) on the online visual database of glass plate negatives, Through the Lens of Time: Images from the Huestis Cook Collection (renamed - Black Virginians, White Lenses: Images from the Cook Photograph Collection).
Education
Master of Arts - Art History
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA05.1999
Bachelor of Science - Art Education
Radford University
Radford, VA05.1995
Some College (No Degree) - Fine Arts Track
Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA01-1992
High School Diploma -
Christiansburg High School
Christiansburg, VA06-1991
Skills
- Clear Public Speaking Skills
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Differentiated Instruction
- Cooperative Learning Experience
- Student-Centered Learning
- Creative Lesson Plan Development
- Student Rapport
- Student Engagement
- Reporting and Documentation
- Classroom Management
Timeline
Teacher
Just Add Sprinkles Homeschool Enrichment Program
11.2023 - Current
Youth Leader
Unitarian Universalist Church Of Augusta
09.2023 - Current
Teacher
SOAR Academy
03.2023 - 10.2023
Director of Religious Education
Unitarian Universalist Church Of Augusta
07.2017 - 08.2020
Registrar
Museum Of The Confederacy
12.2007 - 01.2011
Collections Manager
Valentine Richmond History Center
06.2001 - 04.2004
Assistant Archivist
James Branch Cabell Library, VCU
05.1997 - 06.2001
Master of Arts - Art History
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Science - Art Education
Radford University
Some College (No Degree) - Fine Arts Track
Virginia Western Community College
High School Diploma -
Christiansburg High School
References
References available upon request.
References
References available upon request.