Tena Ferrebee
Waverly,IA
Summary
Highly motivated team player with a passion for helping others. Possesses excellent organizational and communication skills and provides individualized assistance and support. Experienced in delivering guidance and education on various topics such as academics, behavior management and technology. Demonstrated ability as Paraprofessional to foster positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues. Committed to providing culturally responsive support, meeting diverse needs of students. Patient demeanor creates environment where students feel comfortable asking questions while learning new concepts. Compassionate individual with established experience providing support to students. Eager and always ready and willing to assist fellow employees with job tasks. Handles various duties and assignments. Accustomed to multitasking and working quickly to meet challenging demands. Considered hardworking and reliable with great interpersonal skills. Dedicated Babysitter for 28 years in daycare and home babysitting settings. Possesses overall excellent babysitting skills. Offers skills caring for special needs children. Enjoys helping children with learning goal fulfillment and skill development. Provides flexible scheduling throughout week.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Hearing Paraprofessional
St.Paul's Lutheran Schools
09.2023 - 10.2023
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Kept classrooms clean, neat, and properly sanitized for student health and classroom efficiency.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules, and support lead teacher.
- Relieved classroom teacher during breaks and maintained order and structure in classroom.
- Assisted classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play.
- Assisted in maintaining engaging and respectful educational environment by promoting discipline and cooperation.
- Collaborated with parents and guardians to increase support and provide best learning environment.
- Helped teacher prepare instructional material and displays.
- Assisted students in developing deeper understanding of course concepts by providing one-on-one support.
- Enforced rules and instructions to maintain discipline.
- Cleaned, organized, and restocked classrooms for upcoming classes.
- Maintained and operated classroom equipment to maximize use and lifespan.
- Stepped into non-classroom environments such as libraries to help staff manage demand.
- Provided one-on-one Hearing support for deaf student who used Cochlear implants
- Maintained Cochlear Implant structural integrity during rest time
- Began specific AEA learning coursework for training on how best to support deaf/hard-of-hearing student
- Began lessons in ASL(American Sign Language) to communicate with student
- Showed proficiency in ASL communication
- Assisted with student communication needs during group class time
- Maintained student safety during times of communication breakdown with peers
- Helped teachers manage bus loading and unloading.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve student engagement.
Secretary's Assistant
C&L Radio-TV
05.2008 - 04.2010
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance.
- Responded to inquiries from callers seeking information.
- Kept reception area clean and neat to give visitors positive first impression.
- Provided clerical support to company employees by copying, faxing, and filing documents.
- Communicated with customers via phone and email to confirm deliveries and respond to inquiries.
- Created and updated physical records and digital files to maintain current, accurate, and compliant documentation.
- Created and updated records and files to maintain document compliance.
- Prepared mail and packages for shipment, pickup, and courier services to expedite delivery.
- Routed business correspondence, documents, and messages to correct departments and staff members.
- Restocked supplies and submitted purchase orders to maintain stock levels.
- Conducted research to assist with routine tasks and special projects.
- Offered technical support and troubleshot issues to enhance office productivity.
- Sorted, opened, and routed mail and deliveries to meet business requirements.
- Managed filing system, entered data and completed other clerical tasks.
- Assisted coworkers and staff members with special tasks on daily basis.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Managed paper and electronic filing systems by routing various documents, taking messages and managing incoming and outgoing mail.
- Supported company leaders by managing budgets, scheduling appointments and organizing itinerary.
- Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client inquiries.
- Created and maintained detailed administrative processes and procedures to drive efficiency and accuracy.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
- Liaised between clients and vendors and maintained effective lines of communication.
Babysitter
Private Employers
12.1995 - 04.2009
- Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
- Communicated positively with children and guardians.
- Organized and cleaned home after activities by picking up toys and straightening up play room.
- Prepared healthy, age-appropriate snacks and meals.
- Reassured children when upset providing emotional support and stability.
- Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
- Assisted with meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry to support family with additional chores.
- Sanitized dishes, tabletops, toys, and frequently touched surfaces to prevent spreading of germs.
- Taught children to organize toys, wash hands, and share by leading by example.
- Communicated with parents regarding children's progress and development, raising any issues.
- Assisted children with homework assignments and special projects across different subjects.
- Planned fun outings and educational activities to keep children entertained.
- Administered medications, following strict instructions from parents and medical labels.
- Monitored children's play activities to verify safety.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships.
- Encouraged children to be understanding and patient with others.
- Supervised children engaged in physical activity, learning and social skills with peers.
- Supervised children on playground to help develop physical and social skills.
- Developed games and activities using arts and crafts to support learning and verbal skills.
- Demonstrated empathy and kindness to display positive character traits.
- Built strong relationships to promote collaborative environment.
- Balanced playtime and limited screen time to support development of fine motor, gross motor, and cognitive skills.
- Offered age-appropriate, fun, and educational activities for children ranging in age from six weeks to sixth grade.
Family Nanny
Private Family Client
03.2006 - 07.2008
- Built positive and nurturing environments to support child social and emotional growth.
- Established lasting, professional connections with families and children by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback.
- Played games, worked on puzzles, and read books to young children.
- Bathed, dressed, and helped with teeth brushing as part of bedtime preparation.
- Communicated with children at age-appropriate levels to encourage understanding and foster relationships.
- Monitored schedules to maintain sleeping, eating, and school schedules for children.
- Worked with children to enforce safe living habits such as asking for help, crossing street safely and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.
- Organized different types of activities to enhance physical and intellectual development.
- Taught children everyday skills and language.
- Prepared tasty, healthy meals for children to encourage good eating habits.
- Assisted with housework such as laundry and cooking.
- Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline.
- Kept children's areas neat and clean.
- Met with parents about daily activities, positive developments, and issues.
- Applied positive behavior management techniques to enhance social interactions and emotional development.
- Taught children to organize toys, wash hands, and share by leading by example.
- Maintained effective schedule balance between rest periods, active play, and instruction.
- Prepared and accompanied children on outings and vacations, supervising playtime and other activities for safety purposes.
- Planned and guided age-appropriate tasks like reading, crafts and outings.
- Established and maintained safe play environment for children.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive relationships.
- Assisted with light housekeeping duties as well as running errands.
- Promoted language development skills through reading and storytelling.
- Supervised children on playground to help develop physical and social skills.
- Stayed current on toy and child-related recalls and safety warnings.
Wait Staff Member
Hometown Cafe
05.2007 - 05.2008
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Practiced safe, sanitary food handling for preparation and service to maximize pleasant dining experience.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Set up dining room to promote welcoming environment and meet or exceed hospitality and service standards.
- Explained menu items and preparation methods to provide high level of customer service and promote dining atmosphere.
- Leveraged knowledge of table clearing techniques such as napkin folding and refilling condiments to reset table during and after dining service.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
- Seated customers in timely manner by managing reservations and waitlists skillfully.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Strategically timed check-ins with customers to take orders and confirm satisfaction with meals after delivery, taking action to correct any problems.
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
- Supervised set up of banquet food stations and coordinated service to multiple dining areas.
- Supported needs of 4- person wait staff who attended to specific needs of countless customers daily for hometown restaurant with social relevancy and intentionality.
Waitress Trainee
Mama Marcia's
03.2005 - 05.2007
- Maintained clean and organized dining areas to uphold restaurant hygiene standards.
- Explained menu items and suggested appropriate options for food allergy concerns.
- Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.
- Followed health and safety protocols crucial for maintaining safe and sanitary environments for customers and staff.
- Used slow periods to restock supplies, ice, trays, and delivery bags.
- Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
- Seated customers in timely manner by managing reservations and waitlists skillfully.
- Utilized communication practices with kitchen staff to deliver customer meals in timely manner.
- Arranged and prepared tables for customers to offer memorable experiences to guests and foster repeat business.
- Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally to maintain positive reputation.
- Bussed and reset tables to keep dining room and work areas clean.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
- Upsold high-profit items such as appetizers and mixed drinks to enhance sales numbers.
- Maintained order efficiency and accuracy through clear communication with kitchen staff, earning numerous recommendations from satisfied customers.
- Collected payment for food and drinks served, balanced cash receipts and maintained accurate cash drawer.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
Education
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
University of Arizona Global Campus
Chandler, AZ05.2026
High School Diploma -
Tripoli Community Schools
Tripoli, IA05.2007
Skills
- IEP Compliance
- Activity Oversight
- Schedule Management
- Storytelling
- Teacher Support
- Differentiated Instruction
- Clerical Support
- Classroom Support
- Social Support
- Educational Assistance
- Arts and Crafts
- Patient
- Classroom Management
- Teacher Assistance
- Individual Student Assistance
- Helping Students With Special Needs
- Computer Skills
- IEP Familiarity
Hobbies and additional info
I love to read, and am always finding a new book or book series to delve into! I'm a mom to an 8 year old with special needs named Elijah, and we love playing board games and video games and going on walks to the park!
Additional Information
I'm currently going to school to obtain my associates in Early Childhood Education and will graduate in May of 2026 from University of Arizona Global Campus Online.
Timeline
Hearing Paraprofessional
St.Paul's Lutheran Schools
09.2023 - 10.2023
Secretary's Assistant
C&L Radio-TV
05.2008 - 04.2010
Wait Staff Member
Hometown Cafe
05.2007 - 05.2008
Family Nanny
Private Family Client
03.2006 - 07.2008
Waitress Trainee
Mama Marcia's
03.2005 - 05.2007
Babysitter
Private Employers
12.1995 - 04.2009
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
University of Arizona Global Campus
High School Diploma -
Tripoli Community Schools
Similar Profiles
Ian HaroIan Haro
Registered Nurse, Emergency Department at St.Paul's HospitalRegistered Nurse, Emergency Department at St.Paul's Hospital
Niamh O'DeANiamh O'DeA
Primary School Teacher at St.Paul's N.S,Primary School Teacher at St.Paul's N.S,
Kellye RamosKellye Ramos
Certified Nursing Assistant/Medicine Technician at St.Paul's Senior ServicesCertified Nursing Assistant/Medicine Technician at St.Paul's Senior Services
Isaiah HammerandIsaiah Hammerand
Landscaper at River Valley CurbingLandscaper at River Valley Curbing
JAMES ELBERTJAMES ELBERT
IE Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager over FI at Conagra FoodsIE Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager over FI at Conagra Foods