Michael Finkelman
Teacher
Owings Mills,MD
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated professional with strong interpersonal skills, ideal for providing support to grieving families and coordinating funeral services. Detail-oriented multi-industry professional with a proven ability to assist in situations requiring empathic communication and a deep understanding of human needs. Experienced firefighter/paramedic/police officer/soldier with excellent communication skills, capable of assessing any situation and responding appropriately. Highly adaptable to changing work conditions, known for unwavering reliability, loyalty, and compassionate funeral assistance. Skilled in family counseling, assisting funeral directors with graveside services, and providing consultation to families during over 100 funerals and visitations. Proficient in driving funeral home vehicles for transporting families to services, chapel services, and more.
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Baltimore County Public School System
Towson, MD
11.2025 - Current
- Implemented lesson plans in diverse classroom settings to ensure continuity of education.
- Adapted teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles and student needs.
- Maintained classroom management to foster a positive learning environment for all students.
- Collaborated with full-time teachers to align instructional strategies and classroom activities.
- Developed rapport with students and staff, contributing to a supportive school community.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing clear expectations and consistent consequences for all students.
Funeral Assistant
Sol Levinson & Bros Inc
Pikesville, MD
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Supported funeral director with all facets of funeral service coordination.
- Greeted funeral guests and coordinated seating.
- Drove company vehicles to transport remains or families to services.
- Welcomed families and visitors into facility and guided into appropriate visitation rooms or chapel.
- Provided personal assistance, emotional support and personal care to clients.
Retail Associate Manager
PetSmart
Owings Mills, Maryland
04.2021 - 11.2023
- Managed store operations, including customer service, staff training, and inventory management.
- Supervised a team of sales associates to exceed sales goals and provide exceptional customer service.
- Developed and implemented training programs for new hires to ensure consistent quality service.
- Handled cash transactions and managed cash register operations.
Retail Manager
Petco
Frederick, Maryland
02.2016 - 04.2021
- Managed daily operations of a retail store, including inventory management and employee scheduling.
- Implemented strategic sales techniques to increase revenue and meet sales goals.
- Provided exceptional customer service to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Trained and mentored a team of retail associates to improve product knowledge and sales skills.
Senior NOC Operator
Ho Chunk Inc.(Contract)
Fort Detrick, Maryland
01.2010 - 12.2015
- 3 years of experience as a Network Engineer with expertise in configuring and troubleshooting network devices.
- 5 years of experience managing and monitoring network infrastructure for a large-scale organization.
- Proficient in analyzing and resolving network issues to ensure minimal downtime.
- Hands-on experience with network security protocols and tools such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Police Officer
Baltimore City Police Department
Baltimore, MD, USA
03.1998 - 03.2004
- Provided courtroom testimony and expert witness statements as a Law Enforcement Officer for 6 years.
- Enforced all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations as a Patrol Officer for 5 years.
- Investigated crimes and conducted interviews as a Missing Person Detective for 1.5 years.
- As a Crime Analyst Officer for the district provided detailed information on crime trends, locations, and clearance of said crimes.
Soldier
U.S. Army
Landstuhl, Germany
01.1981 - 06.1985
- Maintained physical fitness and readiness for combat at all times.
- Received accolades for exemplary service and dedication to duty.
- Participated in overseas deployments and peacekeeping missions.
- Trained in advanced combat tactics and marksmanship.
- Highly trained Combat Medical Specialist providing top notch medical care for the soldiers of assigned company.
- Overseas in Germany, responsible for Ambulance Section of 2nd General Hospital a military hospital specializing in trauma.
Education
M.S. - Cybersecurity
Hood College
Frederick, Maryland 01.2015 - 06.2027
B.S. - Information Systems Operations
Kaplan University
Hagerstown, Maryland01.2014
A.A.S. - Computer Forensics
Kaplan University
Hagerstown, Maryland01.2011
Skills
- Customer assistance
- Guest assistance
- Grief support
- Compassionate communication
- Religious customs
- Empathetic
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Reliability
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Team building
- Interpersonal skills
Languages
English | Native
German | Elementary
Timeline
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Baltimore County Public School System
11.2025 - Current
Funeral Assistant
Sol Levinson & Bros Inc
08.2024 - 05.2025
Retail Associate Manager
PetSmart
04.2021 - 11.2023
Retail Manager
Petco
02.2016 - 04.2021
M.S. - Cybersecurity
Hood College
01.2015 - 06.2027
Senior NOC Operator
Ho Chunk Inc.(Contract)
01.2010 - 12.2015
Police Officer
Baltimore City Police Department
03.1998 - 03.2004
Soldier
U.S. Army
01.1981 - 06.1985
B.S. - Information Systems Operations
Kaplan University
A.A.S. - Computer Forensics
Kaplan University