Tara Sturges
Ray City,GA
Summary
Energetic Volunteer offering outstanding telephone etiquette, social media, and interpersonal skills. Well-trained individual with past experience working with children and animals.Punctual and dedicated to service.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Humane Society Volunteer
Humane Society Valdosta Lowndes County
05.2024 - Current
- Assisted in daily care and feeding of animals, ensuring health and safety standards as a foster for cats and dogs.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline volunteer schedules and improve operational efficiency.
- Developed training materials for new volunteers, enhancing onboarding experience and retention rates.
- Managed inventory of supplies, ensuring availability for shelter operations and events.
- Evaluated animal behavior to assist in matching pets with suitable adopters effectively.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning.
- Represented organization positively and professionally while providing community with much-needed services.
- Mentored new volunteers, fostering a supportive and inclusive team environment.
- Boosted fundraising efforts, securing valuable donations through targeted campaigns.
- Collaborated with other nonprofit organizations to develop joint initiatives that benefited the broader community at large.
- Supported animal welfare, caring for animals and facilitating adoption events.
- Plan meet and greets with potential adopters
- Maintain open communication with our rescue partners in other states on status of adoptable animals.
- Keep open communication with adopters in other states on the status of their soon to be pet sending pictures, videos and updates on new behaviors and celebrating new behaviors learned.
- Coordinating with our staff on appointments to maintain the animals shots and procedures are up to date.
- Maintaining animal files with proper paperwork from the GA Dept of Agriculture
- Filing away animal files in proper numerical order when they are adopted or are no longer in our care.
Classroom Volunteer
Charles Huber Elementary School
08.2018 - 09.2020
- Implemented feedback from teachers to improve volunteer contributions and effectiveness.
- Coordinated with teacher to implement lesson plans and keep students on track.
- Organized extracurricular events promoting parent involvement and community engagement within the school setting.
- Implemented effective classroom management strategies, fostering a positive and respectful learning atmosphere.
- Promoted critical thinking skills through stimulating discussions about course materials and real-world connections.
- Established a safe and supportive learning community by consistently enforcing school policies and procedures, while also maintaining a keen awareness of individual student needs.
- Enhanced student comprehension by implementing visual aids and hands-on activities in lessons.
- Assessed individual student progress regularly through informal assessments such as questioning techniques or group projects which helped inform instructional decisions made by the teacher that I was supporting during my time as a Classroom Volunteer.
- Read stories with small groups of students aged 5 to 7.
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and staff members by maintaining open communication channels and actively participating in school functions.
- Took part in professional development workshops to boost skills.
- Helped teachers manage bus loading and unloading for field trips.
- Assisted with school field trips and special events by collecting permission slips and payments.
- Monitored student behavior, providing guidance to maintain a positive environment.
- Assisted teachers in managing classrooms, resulting in a more focused learning environment.
- Provided general assistance to classroom teachers by distributing paperwork and cleaning up play areas.
- Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, enabling their successful integration into the classroom.
- Served as a positive role model for students by demonstrating respectfulness, responsibility, empathy, kindness, and integrity at all times during my volunteer work at the school.
- Assisted classes with parties and events.
- Helped students complete tasks such as specific work problems and tying shoes.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Mentored struggling students, leading to improved academic performance and confidence.
Daycare Owner/Operator
Self Employed
04.2016 - 08.2020
- Developed and implemented age-appropriate educational programs for children, enhancing learning engagement.
- Managed daily operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations for child care facilities.
- Established strong relationships with parents, addressing concerns and promoting open communication regarding child development.
- Organized fun-filled events and activities for children that promoted learning in an engaging manner.
- Enhanced parent satisfaction by maintaining open communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
- Managed financial aspects of the daycare business, including budgeting, expense tracking, and revenue generation.
- Optimized facility space usage by designing creative layouts that maximized play areas while ensuring safety standards were met or exceeded.
- Promoted healthy eating habits among students by overseeing menu planning and meal preparation according to nutritional guidelines set forth by experts in the field of early childhood nutrition.
- Maintained compliance with state and Air Force licensing requirements through regular inspections, documentation updates, and policy reviews.
- Managed daily operations, ensuring clean and organized environment conducive to learning and play.
- Attended and completed 30 training hours yearly. Completed 15 training modules over the various standards expected as a provider.
Childcare Volunteer Teacher
MOPS-Huber Heights Church of God
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Facilitated age-appropriate activities promoting social skills and teamwork.
- Monitored children's behavior, addressing conflicts and guiding positive interactions.
- Organized educational materials and resources for effective classroom management.
- Trained new volunteers on childcare practices and classroom procedures.
- Implemented safety protocols ensuring a secure environment for all children.
- Promoted a safe and nurturing classroom environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas freely.
- Utilized positive reinforcement techniques to build students'' self-esteem and encourage active participation in class discussions.
- Developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, fostering a supportive home-school connection for each child''s success.
- Served as positive role model, promoting healthy interpersonal behaviors.
- Watched and redirected inappropriate student behavior.
- Sparked imagination by helping children discover new things each day.
- Monitored children's activities to verify safety and wellbeing.
- Read stories, sang songs and facilitated creative play.
- Dispensed snacks and meals to children in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Provided support and guidance to children in conflict resolution.
- Used positive reinforcement techniques to promote patience and other good behaviors in children.
- Responded to inquiries from parents and guardians.
- Instructed children in crafts and other activities to promote gross and fine motor skills.
- Assisted in potty training and toilet hygiene.
Volunteer
Mad River Local Schools
08.2016 - 05.2018
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
- Communicated with staff members to stay informed about volunteer opportunities and events.
- Assisted teachers in classroom management and lesson implementation.
- Monitored student behavior, providing guidance to maintain a positive environment.
- Made copies to assist teacher in preparing future lessons.
- Prepared materials for class activities and art projects.
- Assisted teachers in managing classrooms, resulting in a more focused learning environment.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of field trips, ensuring meaningful learning experiences for students outside the classroom environment.
- Monitored students during snack time and at recess.
- Provided general assistance to classroom teachers by distributing paperwork and cleaning up play areas.
- Aided teachers with grading assignments and tracking student progress throughout the school year.
- Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, enabling their successful integration into the classroom.
- Served as a positive role model for students by demonstrating respectfulness, responsibility, empathy, kindness, and integrity at all times during my volunteer work at the school.
- Assisted classes with parties and events.
- Helped students complete tasks such as specific work problems and tying shoes.
- Oversaw special activities and monitored students during field trips.
- Contributed to the development of inclusive activities, ensuring all students had equal opportunities for success.
- Provided constructive feedback on student work, enabling continuous improvement and growth in their academic performance.
- Facilitated small group sessions for targeted skill-building in reading, writing, and math.
- Read stories with small groups of students aged 3 to 5.
- Mentored struggling students, leading to improved academic performance and confidence.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
Circuit Court Clerk I
Boone County Circuit Clerk
08.2011 - 01.2013
- Facilitated smooth courtroom proceedings by managing schedules, preparing dockets, and communicating effectively with all parties involved.
- Ensured timely delivery of legal documents by coordinating with various departments and maintaining an organized filing system.
- Maintained court dockets and updated disposition of cases after court hearings and trials.
- Answered telephone calls, took messages and transferred calls to appropriate colleagues.
- Reviewed court documents to process subpoenas, motions and pleadings.
- Prepared court documents for filing in alignment with established protocols to support compliance.
- Maintained and updated electronic databases to accurately and securely store court documents.
- Responded to in-person and telephone requests for information from general public, attorneys and other involved parties.
- Assisted court in scheduling hearings, meetings and other events to support seamless operations.
- Performed routine data entry or document management.
Cashier
Lowes Home Improvment
10.2007 - 06.2008
- Processed customer transactions efficiently using point-of-sale systems.
- Provided exceptional customer service, resolving inquiries and issues promptly.
- Maintained accurate cash drawer, ensuring balanced transactions at shift end.
- Assisted in training new cashiers on operational procedures and customer interaction best practices.
- Monitored inventory levels at register displays, facilitating timely replenishment requests.
- Greeted customers entering store and responded promptly to customer needs.
- Worked flexible schedule and extra shifts to meet business needs.
- Operated cash register for cash, check, and credit card transactions with excellent accuracy levels.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items, and join reward programs.
- Assisted customers with returns, refunds and resolving transaction issues.
- Handled multiple payment methods securely, minimizing discrepancies and potential losses.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Contributed to store success by maintaining high standards of cleanliness throughout the facility.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures while processing transactions efficiently.
- Implemented loss prevention strategies, reducing instances of theft at checkout.
- Managed phones and routed customers to accurate departments.
- Maintained the customer service counter. Running credit card applications, issuing refunds when due, managing customer complaints and other customer service issues.
Education
High School Diploma -
Moberly Senior High School
Moberly, MO05.2000
Skills
- Positive attitude
- Organized and efficient
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Community service
- Time management
- Adaptability and dependability
- Computer skills
- Customer service
- Event setup
- Answering phones
- Professional appearance
- Telephone etiquette
- Data entry
- GA Driver's license
- Administrative tasks
- Filing and recordkeeping
- Administrative support
- Budgeting and finance
- Clerical support
- Google suite proficiency
- Friendly and outgoing
- Multitasking and organization
- Verbal and written communication
Timeline
Humane Society Volunteer
Humane Society Valdosta Lowndes County
05.2024 - Current
Childcare Volunteer Teacher
MOPS-Huber Heights Church of God
09.2018 - 05.2019
Classroom Volunteer
Charles Huber Elementary School
08.2018 - 09.2020
Volunteer
Mad River Local Schools
08.2016 - 05.2018
Daycare Owner/Operator
Self Employed
04.2016 - 08.2020
Circuit Court Clerk I
Boone County Circuit Clerk
08.2011 - 01.2013
Cashier
Lowes Home Improvment
10.2007 - 06.2008
High School Diploma -
Moberly Senior High School