Sandra Buchholz
Director of Education and Literacy
Houston,TX
Summary
Dedicated program director bringing a 15-year record of success in spearheading programming development and day-to-day management in Adult and Youth Education, Entrepreneurship and Financial Empowerment Programs Performance -oriented, driven and creative with excellent program pitching and organizational skills. Diplomatic in resolving conflicts and building consensus between operational areas. Well versed in providing strategic direction, building collaborative partnerships and ready to make a difference in the lives of clients.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Education And Literacy
The Alliance
04.2016 - Current
- Design, implement, manage, supervise , evaluate all activities related to education and training (youth and adult) workforce development, financial literacy, career pathways, and entrepreneurship programs accordance with agency's mission and values
- Developed interdepartmental Continuous Quality Improvement Plan
- Interview, hire, train, manage , and evaluate staff and volunteers
- Remain up-to-date on best practices and modifications to Funding Sources' Standards, implement required changes in timely, organized manner
- Compose, compile, maintain, report on monthly, quarterly and annual program statistics. Ensure programmatic goals are objectives are achieved or exceeded and operate within allocated budgets
- Analyze trends in programs, identify, issues, develop and recommend solutions to Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer
- Participate in agency's strategic planning process
- Develop, implement ,evaluate recruitment and retention strategies to expand number of clients participating in programs. Oversee expansion of programs, forming partnerships and developing collaborations resulting in 150% expansion of training programs
- Enhanced overall educational quality by evaluating and refining instructional programs based on data-driven assessments.
- Strengthened curriculum design by collaborating with faculty and implementing innovative teaching methodologies.
Director of Community Programs
The Alliance
04.2016 - 09.2018
- Responsible for implementation, management, supervision , evaluation of Community Programs including Adult Education and Training, Financial Opportunity Center , Asset Building Programs Refugee Employment Programs , Driver's Education,Youth Programs and Refugee Family Childcare Micro-enterprise Development Project
- Prepared, managed program budgets totaling 3 million dollars
- Utilized coaching approach to provide strategic leadership for team of 6 program managers, 50+ staff ensuring all programmatic goals and objectives were met
- Successfully integrated Community and Refugee Programs
- Developed and managed collaborative relationships with community partners
- Enhanced community engagement by developing and implementing innovative programs and initiatives.
- Strengthened relationships with local organizations through regular communication and collaboration on projects.
Adult Literacy Manager
Alliance for Multicultural Community Services
01.2005 - 01.2016
- Supervised trained all ESL instructors, support staff and literacy volunteers
- Planned and executed curriculum development consistent with federal and state requirements while addressing needs of participants
- Organized, scheduled/ conducted professional development activities consistent with state and federal requirements, program goals, and needs of staff and students
- Managed ,directed student recruitment, intake, orientation, enrollment, assessment for 550 students annually
- Kept apprised of research and trends in Adult Education, Workforce Development , and Youth Programs. Developed and maintained best industry practices
- Created Standard Operating Procedures in compliance with Houston Community College's and agency requirements
- Ensured skills development programs were relevant in topic and targeted for appropriate audiences
- Identified and cultivated appropriate community partnerships to improve and expand delivery of services
- Maintained and verified accuracy of student attendance records, reports, and other documentation required by stakeholders
- Ensured that program goals and outcomes were met or exceeded
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Delivered high-quality results by setting performance metrics and monitoring progress against targets.
Site Leader/ Youth Counselor
Alliance For Multicultural Community Services
01.2002 - 04.2005
- Developed, planned ,supervised daily activities and tutorials for 125 at-risk refugee and immigrant youth
- Planned, supervised, coordinated additional educational, recreational activities including life skills classes ,gang and drug prevention workshops, field trips, special events
- Planned and supervised parent education classes on variety of topics
- Developed partnerships with other community based organizations to provide additional services to youth
- Held tutorials in all subjects for student
- Counseled students who were having difficulties in school or at home
- Oversaw daily site operations, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Developed training programs for staff members, enhancing skillsets and improving overall performance.
- Created a positive work environment that promoted high levels of morale, job satisfaction, and retention among team members.
AmeriCorps Literacy
Houston Read Commission
01.2001 - 12.2001
- Provided work-related ESL/ GED instruction to 125 students of varying backgrounds and English proficiency from pre-literate to advanced
- Prepared/ obtained, administered evaluative assessments, determined appropriate levels of instruction for each student and developed individualized learning plans
- Collected and maintained eligibility documentation, tracked attendance, created progress reports, accurately entered all pertinent data into required systems
- Participated in various community service projects
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Education
BA -
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WASkills
- Program/project design, implementation and evaluation
- Program Management
- Budgeting
- Excellent communication skills
- Team building/ collaboration
- Resourceful problem solver
- Data management
- 15 years management and supervisory experience
- Program Integration
- Outreach and retention
- Distance Learning
- Staff Development
Timeline
Director of Education And Literacy
The Alliance
04.2016 - Current
Director of Community Programs
The Alliance
04.2016 - 09.2018
Adult Literacy Manager
Alliance for Multicultural Community Services
01.2005 - 01.2016
Site Leader/ Youth Counselor
Alliance For Multicultural Community Services
01.2002 - 04.2005
AmeriCorps Literacy
Houston Read Commission
01.2001 - 12.2001
BA -
The Evergreen State College
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