Nikkole Blackwood
Shreveport,LA
Summary
Experienced Team Leader and Educator with expertise in team management, training, curriculum development, and data annotation in artificial intelligence contexts. Specialized in leading data labeling teams for video and image domains, ensuring high-quality curated data for AI model training. Demonstrates strong organizational skills, a proactive problem-solving mindset, and the ability to maintain strict performance standards while fostering positive team environments and promoting continuous improvement.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Tutor Team Lead- Video and Image
xAI
11.2024 - Current
- Oversaw and participated in labeling and reviewing tasks within assigned projects in the video and image domains to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to guidelines.
- Managed quality assurance processes, including taxonomy management and resolution of operational bottlenecks to enhance efficiency.
- Reported project outcomes using dashboards and conducted performance oversight for team members.
- Performed performance management, including reviews, record maintenance, shadow sessions, action plan creation, and documentation of outcomes.
- Supported training and development by creating and updating materials from practice tasks to certification benchmarks.
- Handled resource planning, workforce adjustments, certification management, hiring, coaching, and disciplinary actions.
- Served as Domain Scheduling Coordinator (2025-12 - Present), coordinating interview schedules for nearly 1,000 candidates within a two-month timeframe, demonstrating intense organizational capabilities.
- Acted as Onboarding Team Lead, managing training and onboarding for hundreds of xAI tutors in the video and image domain, including certification creation, onboarding coordination, benchmark checks, and process iterations.
xAI Tutor Generalist
xAI
08.2024 - 11.2024
- Utilized proprietary software to provide labels, annotations, and inputs on projects involving images, videos, and multimedia elements, contributing to the refinement of AI models like Grok.
- Supported the delivery of high-quality curated data that captured visual nuances, cinematographic techniques, and artistic insights to enhance AI understanding of visual content.
- Adapted to evolving project requirements in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing tasks and collaborating with teams to meet deadlines.
Writing Instructor/Trainer
Providence Classical Academy
07.2020 - 07.2024
- Trained other employees 1st-12th grade in how to teach writing effectively.
- Adapted instructional methods to meet individual needs and help students of varying cognitive abilities.
- Reviewed written work from students for clarity, coherence, organization, grammar, punctuation, spelling errors before submission.
- Adapted writing style to cater to different target audiences across various mediums.
- Provided constructive feedback on colleagues' work as part of collaborative editing process.
English Language Teacher - 3rd-7th Grade
Providence Classical Academy
05.2019 - 07.2024
- Texas State Certified EC-6, Special Education EC-12.
- Conducted standardized assessments to evaluate student progress.
- Incorporated opportunities for students to collaborate, think critically and problem-solve.
- Planned lessons to meet learning needs of groups and individuals.
- Documented student progress and attendance records using established methods.
- Evaluated student work to identify learning gaps, monitor effort and give written feedback.
- Administered formal and informal educational assessments, recording findings appropriately.
Team Lead
Providence Classical Academy
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Helped mitigate and resolve issues by analyzing situations and implementing appropriate solutions.
- Fostered positive work environment to encourage productivity.
- Recognized outstanding contributions from individual team members.
- Collaborated with management to achieve goals.
- Trained new employees and provided ongoing support.
- Facilitated regular meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions.
Pre-K Teacher/Reading Teacher - 2nd Grade
J.K. Hileman Elementary
01.2017 - 05.2019
- Conducted assessments of student reading levels, abilities, and progress.
- Developed lesson plans and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Integrated appropriate technology into the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning objectives.
- Maintained accurate records of student assessment data and progress reports.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education
Letourneau University
Longview, TX12.2016
Skills
- Curriculum Development
- Team Building
- Creative Writing
- Document Editing
- Creative Collaboration
- Idea Brainstorming
- Data Annotation
- Quality Assurance
- Project Management (Notion, Axiom, Starfleet)
- Strategic Problem-Solving
- Leadership in Training
- Proficiency in Data Analysis Tools
- AI and Machine Learning Concepts
Timeline
Tutor Team Lead- Video and Image
xAI
11.2024 - Current
xAI Tutor Generalist
xAI
08.2024 - 11.2024
Team Lead
Providence Classical Academy
07.2021 - 07.2022
Writing Instructor/Trainer
Providence Classical Academy
07.2020 - 07.2024
English Language Teacher - 3rd-7th Grade
Providence Classical Academy
05.2019 - 07.2024
Pre-K Teacher/Reading Teacher - 2nd Grade
J.K. Hileman Elementary
01.2017 - 05.2019
Bachelor of Science - Education
Letourneau University