SAMMI HESTER
Cairo
Summary
Results-driven management professional with proven ability to lead teams to success. Experienced in non-profit, public and private sector work. Strong focus on team collaboration, operational efficiency, and achieving measurable outcomes. Adept at strategic planning, process improvement, and fostering culture of accountability and excellence. Known for adaptability and consistently meeting changing organizational needs.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
TAPS Young Adults Manager
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
01.2023 - Current
- Develop and implement all Young Adults events and programming
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
- Oversaw & monitored grant expenditures against budgets, ensuring funds were utilized appropriately and within scope of grant
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Developed strategic partnerships with other organizations working within the same sector, expanding networks and increasing access to resources.
- Managed budget allocations to prioritize spending on high-impact engagement opportunities, optimizing resource utilization.
- Led cross-functional department work to achieve project goals, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Managed budget effectively, consistently delivering programs on-time and within financial constraints.
- Interacted well with survivors to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Established relationships with key stakeholders, fostering partnerships for future collaborations.
- Organized & facilitated grief support groups, helping participants cope with loss and find healing through shared experiences.
- Managed event logistics from conception to completion, ensuring every detail contributed to event's success.
- Utilized feedback from attendees to refine and improve event offerings, solidifying organization's reputation for excellence in young adult programming
- Oversaw & monitored grant expenditures against budgets, ensuring funds were utilized appropriately and within scope of grant
- Championed a culture of innovation within TAPS by encouraging experimentation with new platforms, programs or approaches to problemsolving.
- Partnered with program staff to gather compelling stories and data showcasing the organization''s impact on its beneficiary community.
- Developed and presented workshops and programming
TAPS Survivor Care (Suicide Loss Outreach)
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
03.2021 - 12.2022
- Offer comfort and care to bereaved military families - in particular suicide and trauma loss survivors
- provide peer-based emotional support to survivors
- provide connections to bereavement resources through immediate outreach and needs assessment
- complete outreach to survivors, maintain and manage logs and pending items in Task Manager
- work with high profile or 'special circumstance' survivors
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
TAPS Education and Casework Specialist
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
01.2020 - 03.2021
- Compiled and updated a scholarship database
- Identify and share VA education benefits and scholarships for survivors
- Communicate effectively with survivors regarding resources and education benefits
- Work with survivors 1:1 on case management for education benefits to develop individual Education Resource Reports
- Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Headmaster
First Presbyterian Christian Academy
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Fostered a positive learning environment by promoting collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and parents.
- Managed staffing decisions based on individual strengths, fostering a cohesive team of educators dedicated to student success.
- Balanced extracurricular offerings with academic priorities, ensuring a well-rounded education experience for all students involved.
- Spearheaded fundraising efforts that generated significant financial support for various school initiatives and programs.
- Increased parent involvement in school activities and decision-making processes with effective communication channels.
- Oversaw budget management and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of funds for optimal student success.
- Led successful accreditation efforts, ensuring compliance with state regulations and maintaining high-quality standards across all areas of operation.
- Coordinated outreach events to bring in parents, family members and community at large to support students.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
Sp. Ed. Deptartment Chair - Teacher
Liberty County School System
01.1997 - 01.2007
- Contributed to school-wide initiatives that supported a positive culture of learning for all students.
- Reviewed assessment results regularly, adjusting instruction as needed based on data-driven insights into student performance trends.
- Streamlined processes for IEP development, ensuring timely completion and compliance with state regulations.
- Championed an inclusive school culture by advocating for the needs of special education students during administrative discussions.
- Mentored new special education teachers, providing guidance on best practices and classroom management techniques.
- Increased parent involvement through effective communication and collaboration on student progress.
- Partnered with local community organizations to provide additional resources and support services for students with disabilities.
- Contributed to district-level committees to support needs of students on IEPs.
- Coordinated staff evaluations for special education personnel.
Sp. Ed. Teacher
EPISD & Grady County School
08.1995 - 01.1997
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Promoted a positive learning environment through the use of differentiated instruction and individualized support for diverse learners.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Fostered strong relationships with parents and guardians, maintaining open lines of communication to ensure student progress.
- Improved student behavior management by implementing consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities focused on evidence-based practices in special education teaching methodologies.
Education
Master of Science - Educational Leadership And Management
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FLBachelor of Science - Special Education
University of Georgia
Athens, GA01-1995
Skills
- Non-profit Experience
- Team leadership
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Decision-making
- Complex Problem-solving
- Verbal and written communication
- Data analysis
- Grief & Trauma Support
- Stakeholder management
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
Timeline
TAPS Young Adults Manager
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
01.2023 - Current
TAPS Survivor Care (Suicide Loss Outreach)
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
03.2021 - 12.2022
TAPS Education and Casework Specialist
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
01.2020 - 03.2021
Headmaster
First Presbyterian Christian Academy
01.2010 - 01.2012
Sp. Ed. Deptartment Chair - Teacher
Liberty County School System
01.1997 - 01.2007
Sp. Ed. Teacher
EPISD & Grady County School
08.1995 - 01.1997
Master of Science - Educational Leadership And Management
Nova Southeastern University
Bachelor of Science - Special Education
University of Georgia
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