MELISSA BAUER

• Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher.
• Assisted in maintaining engaging and respectful educational environment by promoting discipline and cooperation.
• Relieved classroom teacher during breaks and maintained order and structure in classroom.
• Kept classrooms clean, neat and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
• Reported on student progress, behavior and social skills to parents.
• Graded tests and papers and recorded grades for teaching staff.
• Assisted classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play.
• Tailored lesson plans for students with emotional and cognitive disabilities.
• Maintained head count and attendance sheets.
• Implemented practice exercises and group assignments to assist students in quick information grasping.
• Handed out classroom materials, like pencils, paper and crayons.
• Set up visual aids, equipment and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
• Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards and set up work areas.
• Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
• Prepared learning materials, helping teachers prepare for daily instruction.

• Leader in helping to launch Nitori US operations (Aki Home) including market and product strategy to ensure successful brand launch
• Worked with international buying leadership to create product strategy, craft product strategy, source product options through product design boards and material boards
• Created product portfolio through building relationships with manufacturers and suppliers
• Developed pricing strategy and structures for assorted product categories
• Oversaw ordering and procurement as well as working with teams on packaging, warehouse planning and logistics for my product portfolio
• Established buying division and buyer hiring practices for different product categories
• Began creation of new product assortment to better fit US trends and grow business

• Developed successful customer experience program to improve customer service quality, client retention, and provide best in class experiences throughout all client interaction points
• Created staff education program to promote best practices, improve sales, and increase product knowledge as well as provide thought leadership to sales staff
• Contributed to Brand experience project creating team of strong brand advocates and implemented sales focused brand goals through enriched merchandising and visual design treatments
• Consistently a top three sales leader, with personal sales of over $1 million per year
• Established successful relationships with Entertainment Studios for business interiors division.

• Product Development
• Forecasted new design trends and developed several dozen successful new product ideas for the Jamie Young Product Line that created new avenues for revenue growth
• Key contributor to all projects and product development coordination and management
• Launched multiple products for each season for the Jamie Young Line, which entailed: coordinating design, product prototyping, UL testing, overseas production, shipping and warehousing
• Created Jamie Young’s forecasted product cost plan and successfully negotiated to lower costs with vendors resulting in 10% cost savings
• Managed Key Account Clients, including Buyers and Merchandising teams for nationally known retailers, including development of exclusive seasonal product assortments from initial product development thru to shipping to client distribution centers
• Managed select marketing functions including setup of product for photography shoots / catalog layout and product set up and selection for trade shows.

• Successfully brought store sales and reputation out of a downward cycle by revamping store merchandising, introducing new products and increasing customer satisfaction
• Established new relations with upscale vendors, which increased rate of sale by 20% and solidified customer loyalty through increased product variety
• Designed and merchandised store floor plan, with increased floor moves leading to increased revenue
• Maintained and tracked purchase order status with eye towards improving efficiency and accuracy, helping to reverse the reputation of poor customer service
• Interviewed, hired, and trained professional sales staff that resulted in higher sales and lower turnover
• Scheduled and priced sale periods and created exciting new promotional events.

• Opened two high-profile furniture stores (Sacramento & The Grove)
• Hired, trained and managed entire staffs of 20+ individuals
• Created and instituted store procedures and goals
• Consistently in top 3 performing store managers; exceeded revenue and profit goals by as much as 40% to budget plan
• Responsible for purchasing and inventory forecasting; created and maintained store financials
• Coordinated with regional managers and buyers regarding product lines and current design trends
• Directed floor planning, planograms and merchandising decisions; adjusting store design based on rates of sale, customer base and market trends
• Successfully created sales, marketing and merchandising plans to counter downward sales trends
• Managed and developed professional, commissioned sales staff, guiding their performance for improvement
• This included developing million + $ dollar sellers and leading sales person globally
• Created plan for new home store coordinator position that was successfully implemented in Southern California Home Stores.

• Created programs to increase sales through creative, fun sales competitions and training, resulting in 15-20% increases in sales per year
• Negotiated with vendors regarding custom designs and quality issues, reducing customer returns
• Responsible for staff scheduling, creating, and presenting weekly meetings.

• Responsible for all customer service personnel and customer issues
• Implemented plan to recoup costs by streamlining vendor claims, resulting in some of the lowest post-sale expenses within the company.

• Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
• Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
• Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
• Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
• Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
• Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
• Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
• Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
• Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
• Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.
• Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
• Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.

• Inspiring creative passion in others towards creative wellness
• Through guided art techniques one can open up new depths of self awareness and recognition
• Assess needs of each client and develop art therapy practices to meet needs
• Observe, monitor and document client behavior and responses to wellness practices
• Translate client's goals into art therapy practices and communicate outcomes
• Manage inventory and order new art supplies
• Volunteered and conducted sessions for USHS clients
• Donated art supplies to USHS

Goals:

• Visit homes for adults and seniors with developmental challenges to provide individual and group therapy
• Create art therapy galleries to promote increased self-esteem and accomplishments
• Schedule Workshops within different modalities
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Oversee smooth drop-off/pick-up transitions by maintaining open communication with parents and ensuring a safe environment for children.
• Enhance children''s social skills by organizing group activities and promoting positive interactions.
• Promoted physical fitness by incorporating active play into daily schedules, encouraging healthy habits from an early age.
• Assisted children in developing fine motor skills through play-based learning activities such as puzzles and stacking blocks.
• Foster creativity with various arts and crafts projects, stimulating imagination and self expression.
• Ensure child safety through vigilant supervision, maintaining proper ratios during indoor and outdoor activities.
• Support emotional well-being by addressing individual needs and providing a nurturing environment for growth.
• Maintain clean home by following sanitation protocols, ensuring a healthy environment for children.
• Document children's growth and development.
• Handle daily tasks efficiently
• Provide support and guidance to children in conflict resolution.
• Prepare group and friend activities to enhance socialization, communication and problem-solving skills for children.
• Developed lessons and activities to promote children's physical and emotional development.
• Helped children develop motor skills in preparation for preschool and kindergarten.
• Continue to help children develop motor skills based on age progressions through promotion of physical activities
• Handle schedule of medical visits, extracurricular activities including sports, school appointments, naps, feedings, and any medications administered.
• Read stories, sing songs and facilitate creative play.
• Liaise with parents to encourage social environments
• Working with children to develop good cognitive, physical and language skills.
• Assisted in potty training and other daily hygiene activities to support child development.
• Provide emotional support and guidance to children during difficult times.
• Utilized positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior.
• Prepared healthy foods and beverages for children based on optimal dietary guidelines and individual restrictions.
• Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline.
• Introduced children to educational games and activities to boost learning.
• Maintained effective schedule balance between rest periods, active play, and instruction.
• Sanitize dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
• Administer first aid when needed to ensure children's safety and wellbeing
• Manage behavior issues effectively using positive reinforcement techniques, fostering a respectful atmosphere for children
• Implement daily routines to establish consistency, helping children transition smoothly
• Collaborated with teachers and parents for continuous improvements in curriculum development