Merrilou Russell
Edna,Texas
Summary
Accountable Insurance Representative with excellent customer service and people skills Highly effective juggler of multiple competing tasks,proven history of exceptional time management and customer service. (New business must be attended to, claims filed, renewals of existing policies obtained or rewritten with new carriers, invoices mailed all done simultaneously.
Retired Certified Educator and School Librarian with many years experience interacting with students, administration, and working in teams with other members of the faculty
Registered Texas Longhorn owner, breeder. Own Cactus Rose Longhorns along with spouse
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
Work History
Insurance Agent/Owner/Agent/Owner/Customer Service Representative
Russell And Russell Insurance
02.2012 - 10.2023
- Built strong relationships with clients through consistent communication and excellent customer service.
- Responded to customer calls swiftly to resolve issues and answer questions.
- Efficiently managed policy renewals, ensuring timely processing and accurate coverage updates.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by building relationships with clients.
- Educated clients on the importance of adequate insurance coverage, fostering trust and loyalty among the existing client base.
- Cross-sold insurance products to existing clients to reach sales targets.
- Maintained accurate records of all transactions, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Prepared and reviewed insurance applications to verify compliance with regulations.
- Increased client satisfaction by providing personalized insurance solutions tailored to individual needs.
- Expanded client base by actively prospecting for new business opportunities and generating referrals.
- Provided prompt responses to inquiries from both prospective and existing clients, demonstrating a commitment to exceptional service.
School Librarian
Calhoun County ISD
08.2009 - 06.2011
- Increased library usage by developing engaging reading programs and promoting library resources to students, teachers, and staff.
- Fostered a positive learning environment conducive to group study sessions as well as quiet independent work spaces.
- Monitored and analyzed library usage data to identify trends and areas for improvement in service offerings.
- Collaborated with faculty to design curriculum-aligned research projects, fostering critical thinking among students.
- Selected and maintained books, software, and periodicals for children's collection within budget of 10,000 per year.
- Maintained accurate records of all library transactions using integrated library management software systems efficiently.
- Boosted reading interest among students by creating themed book displays featuring diverse genres, authors, and topics.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by actively participating in staff meetings, professional development trainings,
- Managed a team of student assistants
School Lilbrarian
Victoria ISD/Hopkins Elementary
08.2005 - 06.2009
- Increased library usage by developing engaging reading programs and promoting library resources to students, teachers, and staff.
- Fostered a positive learning environment conducive to group study sessions as well as quiet independent work spaces.
- Monitored and analyzed library usage data to identify trends and areas for improvement in service offerings.
- Collaborated with faculty to design curriculum-aligned research projects, fostering critical thinking among students.
- Selected and maintained books, software, and periodicals for children's collection within budget of 10,000 per year.
- Shelved books and staffed both circulation and reference desks for library.
- Streamlined the library collection by conducting regular inventory checks and updating materials
- Improved student access to resources by maintaining an organized, user-friendly library space
- Coordinated special events such as author visits and book fairs to heighten community engagement
- Boosted reading interest among students by creating themed book displays featuring diverse genres, authors, and topics.
Middle School Educator
Calhoun ISD / Travis Middle School
08.1998 - 06.2005
- Developed and implemented a positive classroom management system, fostering a respectful and inclusive learning environment.
- Enhanced overall student engagement by incorporating interactive activities and group work into lessons.
- Participated in professional development workshops to enhance teaching techniques and stay current with educational trends.
- Monitored and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback to guide improvement.
- Cultivated critical thinking skills among students through inquiry-based learning methods.
- Organized extracurricular clubs and activities to enrich the students'' educational experience outside the classroom setting.
- Effectively communicated with parents about their children''s academic performance
- Coordinated student-led conferences, empowering students to take responsibility for their own learning process.
- Prepared engaging multimedia presentations that complemented lesson content while sparking student interest in various subjects.
- Contributed to the development of annual school goals focused on academic achievement, implementing action plans for improvement accordingly.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Prepared instruction materials, constructed bulletin boards, and set up work areas.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
Elementary School Teacher
Calhoun County ISD/JR Campus
08.1996 - 08.1998
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Established a positive classroom environment through effective classroom management strategies, fostering respect and cooperation among students.
- Communicated effectively with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication regarding student progress and addressing concerns as needed.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social, and emotional growth.
- Collaborated with fellow teachers to develop interdisciplinary lesson plans, enhancing students'' understanding of various subjects.
- Improved student comprehension by utilizing differentiated instruction techniques customized for diverse learning needs.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Designed and presented lesson plans in one or more academic subjects using variety of teaching techniques to appeal to various learning styles within assigned grade level.
- Taught core subjects of math, science, technology, and history.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
- Implemented engaging hands-on activities to reinforce fundamental concepts, resulting in increased student motivation and participation.
- Maintained knowledge of school curricula, standards and policies to correctly prepare students for higher grade levels.
Middle School Teacher
Industrial ISD
01.1996 - 05.1996
- Provided one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Insurance Agent/Customer Service Representative
Russell And Russell Insurance Agency
08.1982 - 01.1996
- Built strong relationships with clients through consistent communication and excellent customer service.
- Responded to customer calls swiftly to resolve issues and answer questions.
- Efficiently managed policy renewals, ensuring timely processing and accurate coverage updates.
- Maintained high standards of customer service by building relationships with clients.
- Educated clients on the importance of adequate insurance coverage, fostering trust and loyalty among the existing client base.
- Cross-sold insurance products to existing clients to reach sales targets.
- Maintained accurate records of all transactions, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Prepared and reviewed insurance applications to verify compliance with regulations.
- Increased client satisfaction by providing personalized insurance solutions tailored to individual needs.
- Expanded client base by actively prospecting for new business opportunities and generating referrals.
- Provided prompt responses to inquiries from both prospective and existing clients, demonstrating a commitment to exceptional service.
- Developed comprehensive knowledge of various insurance products, enabling effective recommendations for clients'' unique situations.
- Participated in ongoing professional development activities, staying current with industry trends and regulatory changes affecting insurance products and services.
- Assisted clients in navigating the often complex claims process, ensuring they received fair and timely resolutions.
Middle School Teacher
Calhoun ISD/ Travis Middle School
08.1979 - 08.1982
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Assigned daily lesson plans designed to motivate students and allow for creativity.
- Enhanced classroom management and fostered a positive learning environment through consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Identified signs of emotional or developmental problems in students.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance, resulting in increased accountability among students.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
Middle School Teacher
Industrial ISD/ Industrial Jr High
08.1978 - 05.1979
- Provided one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on entire group.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Enhanced classroom management and fostered a positive learning environment through consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework.
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance, resulting in increased accountability among students.
- Implemented creative assessment tools to measure student understanding and growth throughout the academic year accurately.
Middle School Teacher
Refugio ISD/ Refugio Jr High
08.1976 - 05.1978
- Kept classroom organized, clean and safe for students and visitors.
- Completed in-service and additional training to maintain professional growth.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Enhanced classroom management and fostered a positive learning environment through consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
- Taught subject matter based on information compiled from textbooks, online sites, and other educational materials.
- Established positive rapport with all students and parents through home calls, emails, and Parent Teacher Club.
- Established clear expectations for behavior and academic performance, resulting in increased accountability among students.
- Implemented creative assessment tools to measure student understanding and growth throughout the academic year accurately.
Elementary School Teacher
Livington ISD
01.1976 - 05.1976
- Created lesson plans to correlate with state curriculum standards and devised educational programs to meet educational objectives.
- Evaluated and assessed student progress regularly, providing constructive feedback and adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Established a positive classroom environment through effective classroom management strategies, fostering respect and cooperation among students.
- Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
- Maintained knowledge of school curricula, standards and policies to correctly prepare students for higher grade levels.
Education
Master of Arts - Curriculum of Instruction
Univsity of Houston
Victoria Campus08.1978
Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX12.1975
Skills
- Customer Service
- Licensed Insurance Agent
- Professionalism and Ethics
- Quotes and sales
- Customer follow-up
- Client Relations
- Client needs analysis
- Client Retention
Insurance Licenses
Property and Casualty Insurance (State of Texas)
Life and Health Insurance (State of Texas)
Summation
My husband and I sold our family business October, 2023. After six months home, I find myself missing my customers
and feel a part time job would be great for me. I have much to offer in customer service and dealing with folks and feel I would be a great fit for your organization.
Lastly, I love Splashway!
Timeline
Insurance Agent/Owner/Agent/Owner/Customer Service Representative
Russell And Russell Insurance
02.2012 - 10.2023
School Librarian
Calhoun County ISD
08.2009 - 06.2011
School Lilbrarian
Victoria ISD/Hopkins Elementary
08.2005 - 06.2009
Middle School Educator
Calhoun ISD / Travis Middle School
08.1998 - 06.2005
Elementary School Teacher
Calhoun County ISD/JR Campus
08.1996 - 08.1998
Middle School Teacher
Industrial ISD
01.1996 - 05.1996
Insurance Agent/Customer Service Representative
Russell And Russell Insurance Agency
08.1982 - 01.1996
Middle School Teacher
Calhoun ISD/ Travis Middle School
08.1979 - 08.1982
Middle School Teacher
Industrial ISD/ Industrial Jr High
08.1978 - 05.1979
Middle School Teacher
Refugio ISD/ Refugio Jr High
08.1976 - 05.1978
Elementary School Teacher
Livington ISD
01.1976 - 05.1976
Master of Arts - Curriculum of Instruction
Univsity of Houston
Bachelor of Arts - Secondary Education
Sam Houston State University
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