Sonja Larson
Honolulu
Summary
I am currently a college student in the Pacific Island and American Studies Programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM). Since my gap year in 2023 I have been working in childcare and early childhood education helping educators facilitate classroom operations and student learning. I have state mandated ECD certifications both in New Mexico and Hawaiʻi. My goal is to help aid in lesson execution, fostering collaborative environments, and adapting to children's changing educational needs.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Teaching Assistant
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Childrens Center
01.2025 - Current
- Experience working with children ages 2-5
- Assisted lead teachers in developing and implementing lesson plans for diverse learning styles.
- Facilitated classroom activities to promote social, emotional, and cognitive development in children.
- Supported daily operations by maintaining a safe and organized learning environment.
- Collaborated with educators to adapt instructional materials for children with special needs.
Teacher's Assistant
East Gate Kids
12.2023 - 12.2024
- Experience working with children 6-months -12 years old
- Assisted in developing and implementing engaging lesson plans to enhance student learning experiences.
- Supported classroom management by reinforcing behavioral expectations and promoting a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with teachers to assess student progress and adapt instructional materials accordingly.
- Organized educational activities that encouraged creativity and critical thinking among students.
Barista
Starbuck
08.2022 - 02.2023
- Trained new baristas on beverage preparation and customer service standards.
- Ensured consistency in drink quality by following established recipes and procedures.
- Enhanced customer experience through effective communication and personalized service.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace for optimal productivity and safety.
- Cleaned counters, machines, utensils, and seating areas daily.
- Managed time effectively to balance both front-of-house tasks and back-of-house responsibilities during busy periods.
Barista
Starbucks
01.2021 - 07.2022
- Company Overview: This Starbucks is a free standing, drive-through (only) location in a strip-mall.
- Ensure guests receive the Starbucks Experience
- Develop customer connections with guests
- Memorized menu preparations to serve customers the beverages they desired
- Explain beverage menu items and provided samples of daily brews
- Listen to customer desires and needs to recommend optimal products
- Create beverages to the Starbucks standard
- Weighed, ground and packed coffee per customer orders
- Resolved customer concerns by implementing the 'LATTE' method to maintain loyalty
- Regularly clean and sanitize work areas, utensils, and equipment.
- Check temperatures of freezers, refrigerators, and heating equipment to ensure proper functioning
- Regularly closed store and prepared it for team members and opening the following morning
- This Starbucks is a free standing, drive-through (only) location in a strip-mall.
Retail Clerk/Associate
Kohl's
11.2020 - 05.2021
- Started position started just as COVID restrictions loosened (# of people allowed in store was limited)
- Delivered Pick Up and Drive Up orders to guests and ensured accuracy of the orders and payments
- Worked closely with other team members in the department
- Processed payments, cash and credit card transactions, cash drawer balancing, ID verification
- Promoted Kohl's Cash program to interested customers
- Processed returns and exchanges
- Processed Amazon returns at Kohl's using customer QR codes
- Monitored stock levels, restocked as necessary, organized items for better presentation and inventory
- Job consisted of standing for long periods and safely lifting up to 45 pounds
- Multitasking to meet store and customer needs
Seasonal Cashier/Guest Advocate
Target
10.2019 - 12.2019
- Hired for the fall/winter 2019 holiday season (Thanksgiving and Christmas)
- Welcome guests to self-checkout area and assisting them as needed
- Scanned and bagged guest items in compliance with food safety standards & company best practices
- Accurately handled cash register operations and cash transactions
- Delivered Pick Up and Drive Up orders to guests and ensured accuracy of the orders and payments
- Helped guests with their shopping experience and paid special attention to assist senior guests and their needs
- Offered friendly interactions to guests
- Worked efficiently and rapidly and always took on new tasks during slow periods
Youth Intern
Young Women United
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Worked with young women (Core of Strength) organizing for social events
- Attended social events, hosted tables, distributed information, and talked with interested parties about the objectives and goals of Young Women United and the Core of Strength
- Worked with other nonprofit groups disseminating information that supported common causes
Paid Summer Intern
New Mexico Asian Family Center
05.2019 - 06.2019
- Company Overview: Worked with a non-profit community of individuals addressing health in the local Asian community.
- We performed a voting drive concentrating on the Asian community
- We developed and presented tobacco education seminars for the community
- Worked with a variety of local non-profit organizations to help educate voters
- Worked with a non-profit community of individuals addressing health in the local Asian community.
Stock Clerk
Talin Market World Food Fare
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Stocked shelves ensuring that stock was rotated from back to the front
- Updated stock labels to reflect new pricing
- Prepared front-end displays to reflect unique cultural food items
Office Assistant
ASIR
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Worked 10 hours weekly organizing office supplies, filing papers, and photocopying items
- Entered data from research project into a computer spreadsheet
Youth Organizer
Young Women United
08.2016 - 08.2018
- Spoke at the New Mexico State Legislature advocating for young women's reproductive rights
- Created presentations highlighting women's issues and bills before the New Mexico State Legislature
Education
BBA - Pacific Island Studies Program
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii12-2025
Central New Mexico Community College - undefined
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, New Mexico05.2019
Amy Biehl High School - undefined
Amy Biehl High School
Albuquerque, New Mexico05.2019
Skills
- Positive attitude
- Relationship building
- CPR and first aid
- Helping students with special needs
- Collaborative teamwork
- Classroom support
- Small group and individual assistance
- Supervising student activities
- Material preparation
- Early childhood education
- Behavior redirection
- Reading and writing support
Revised Date
2023-05-01
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Childrens Center
01.2025 - Current
Teacher's Assistant
East Gate Kids
12.2023 - 12.2024
Barista
Starbuck
08.2022 - 02.2023
Barista
Starbucks
01.2021 - 07.2022
Retail Clerk/Associate
Kohl's
11.2020 - 05.2021
Seasonal Cashier/Guest Advocate
Target
10.2019 - 12.2019
Paid Summer Intern
New Mexico Asian Family Center
05.2019 - 06.2019
Stock Clerk
Talin Market World Food Fare
01.2019 - 04.2019
Youth Intern
Young Women United
08.2018 - 08.2019
Office Assistant
ASIR
01.2018 - 12.2018
Youth Organizer
Young Women United
08.2016 - 08.2018
Central New Mexico Community College - undefined
Central New Mexico Community College
Amy Biehl High School - undefined
Amy Biehl High School
BBA - Pacific Island Studies Program
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Similar Profiles
Lance SantosLance Santos
Facilities Project Assistant, Casual Hire (SLD - Student Life Business Services) at University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaFacilities Project Assistant, Casual Hire (SLD - Student Life Business Services) at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Camille McComasCamille McComas
Research Intern - Dr. Mapuana Antonio at University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaResearch Intern - Dr. Mapuana Antonio at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Ma'alaea CollierMa'alaea Collier
Learning Assistant for Math 100 at University Of Hawaiʻi At MānoaLearning Assistant for Math 100 at University Of Hawaiʻi At Mānoa
Anna-Kay RobinsonAnna-Kay Robinson
NCO Specialist at US ArmyNCO Specialist at US Army
Ramson HiramRamson Hiram
Driver at Baba Transportation ServicesDriver at Baba Transportation Services