Olympia Vernon
Hammond,Louisiana
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to work in the Social Services field. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and understanding culturally-diverse and/or marginalized groups.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Transportation Service Representative
CareCar
Hammond, LA
05.2026 - Current
- Service transportation
- Coordinated transportation schedules for clients requiring medical and non-emergency services.
- Maintained accurate records of rides, client interactions, and service requests.
- Ensured safe transporting
- CPR-trained and certified
7th & 8th Grade ELA Teacher
GREENVILLE MIDDLE
Hammond, Louisiana
08.2022 - 01.2024
- Taught Common Core ELA Standards
- Encouraged higher-order thinking skills
- Vocabulary-building
- Academic scaffolding
- Taught in various learning styles
SPED 7th Grade ELA Inclusion Teacher
WOODLAWN MIDDLE
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
03.2020 - 08.2022
- Taught Common Core ELA Standards
- Encouraged higher-order thinking skills
- Vocabulary-building
- Academic scaffolding
- Taught in various learning styles
6th, 7th, and 8th SPED ELA
ROOSEVELT MIDDLE
Kenner, Louisiana
07.2017 - 02.2019
- Taught Common Core ELA Standards
- Encouraged higher-order thinking skills
- Vocabulary-building
- Academic scaffolding
- Taught in various learning styles
Upward Bound Instructor
SOUTHEASTERN LA UNIV.
Hammond, Louisiana
09.2015 - 07.2016
- Taught Common Core ELA Standards
- Encouraged higher-order thinking skills
- Vocabulary-building
- Academic scaffolding
- Taught in various learning styles
8th Grade ELA Teacher
ST. HELENA SCHOOLS
Greensburg, Louisiana
10.2015 - 05.2016
- Taught Common Core ELA Standards
- Encouraged higher-order thinking skills
- Vocabulary-building
- Academic scaffolding
- Taught in various learning styles
8th Grade ELA Teacher
ST. HELENA SCHOOLS
Greensburg, Louisiana
04.2015 - 08.2015
- Taught Common Core ELA Standards
- Encouraged higher-order thinking skills
- Vocabulary-building
- Academic scaffolding
- Taught in various learning styles
10th & 12th Grade ELA Teacher
ST. HELENA HIGH SCHOOL
Greensburg, Louisiana
10.2013 - 08.2014
Writer-in-Residence
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
Salem, Oregon
09.2006 - 05.2009
- Full-time faculty: teaching beginning, intermediate and advanced creative writing methods in fiction to undergraduate classes of 17-20 students.
- Designed a comprehensive curriculum for each course, with a full reading list, lessons, and exercises, focusing on the development of key literary techniques.
- Created and implemented workshops focused on the development of student writing.
- Developed and conducted on-campus community service initiative as a component of creative writing instruction.
- Directed prestigious Hallie Ford Reading Series, including recruitment of noted authors, publicity, promotion, and funding.
Writer-in-Residence
SOUTHEASTERN LA UNIV.
Hammond, Louisiana
08.2004 - 05.2006
- Taught advanced creative writing methods in fiction to undergraduate classes of 16-20 students, including a survey of American Literature.
- Designed a comprehensive curriculum for each course, with a full reading list, lessons, and exercises, focusing on the development of key literary techniques in creative writing and also focusing on critical interpretation and analysis in American Literature.
- Planned and led workshops focused on the development of student writing.
- Advised all 54 creative writing majors within the English department.
- Recruited on behalf of the University at high schools and at art venues throughout the state.
Education
M.A. - Mental Health and Wellness Counseling
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
New YorkMSW Program -
TULANE UNIVERSITY
New OrleansMaster of Fine Arts - Creative Writing
LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
Baton RougeBachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
SOUTHEASTERN LA. UNIV.
HammondSkills
- Safe transportation skills
- NYU counseling internship
- Dyad counseling training
- Cultural sensitivity
- Holistic understanding
- Effective communicator
- Strong speaking
- Strong writing
- Active listener
Awards
- 2008 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
- 2005 Governor's Award of Louisiana, Professional Artist of the Year
- 2004 American Academy of Arts & Letters, Rosenthal Foundation Award
- Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters nomination
- Robert Olen Butler Award Finalist for Fiction
- Louisiana State University Master of Fine Arts Thesis Award
- Louisiana State University Director's Award for Outstanding Achievement
- Rolex Mentor and Protégé Initiative for the Arts Award Finalist
- Matt Clark Memorial Award, Words and Music Award
Timeline
Transportation Service Representative
CareCar
05.2026 - Current
7th & 8th Grade ELA Teacher
GREENVILLE MIDDLE
08.2022 - 01.2024
SPED 7th Grade ELA Inclusion Teacher
WOODLAWN MIDDLE
03.2020 - 08.2022
6th, 7th, and 8th SPED ELA
ROOSEVELT MIDDLE
07.2017 - 02.2019
8th Grade ELA Teacher
ST. HELENA SCHOOLS
10.2015 - 05.2016
Upward Bound Instructor
SOUTHEASTERN LA UNIV.
09.2015 - 07.2016
8th Grade ELA Teacher
ST. HELENA SCHOOLS
04.2015 - 08.2015
10th & 12th Grade ELA Teacher
ST. HELENA HIGH SCHOOL
10.2013 - 08.2014
Writer-in-Residence
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY
09.2006 - 05.2009
Writer-in-Residence
SOUTHEASTERN LA UNIV.
08.2004 - 05.2006
M.A. - Mental Health and Wellness Counseling
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
MSW Program -
TULANE UNIVERSITY
Master of Fine Arts - Creative Writing
LOUISIANA STATE UNIV.
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
SOUTHEASTERN LA. UNIV.