Virginia Zarate
Charlottesville
Summary
Working as instructional assistant has given me strong a commitment to public education, an understanding of school operations, and the ability to support students, staff, and families with professionalism and empathy. My time as a pastry chef strengthened my attention to detail, time-management skills, and ability to stay organized and calm under pressure. Together, these experiences have prepared me to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, provide exceptional customer service, and contribute positively to a welcoming and efficient school environment.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Instructional Assistant
Charlottesville City Schools
10.2023 - Current
- Provided support during classes, group lessons and classroom activities.
- Supported Spanish Speaking students in learning curriculum content.
- Facilitated small group instruction, enhancing comprehension of core subjects among students.
- Maintained a safe and organized classroom environment conducive to learning and student engagement.
- Participated in professional development opportunities, staying current on best practices in education and instructional support.
- Copied, organized and distributed classroom assignments or other paperwork.
- Team collaboration
Pastry Sous Chef
Paradox Pastry
2021 - 2023
- Assisted in creating and refining pastry recipes.
- Collaborated with head chef to streamline daily production processes, improving overall kitchen efficiency.
- Trained new staff on pastry techniques and kitchen safety protocols to ensure consistent quality standards.
- Monitored inventory levels of ingredients, facilitating timely reordering to maintain supply chain continuity.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail while executing intricate designs on pastries and desserts.
- Oversaw purchasing, storage, and use of kitchen supplies.
- Consistently met deadlines for high-volume orders during peak business hours or special events.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring timely completion of daily production goals.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to health codes.
Pasty Chef
Boars Head Resort
2019 - 2021
- Crafted innovative pastry recipes, enhancing dessert menu offerings and customer satisfaction.
- Banquet Production, Menu Development, Plating & Presentation, Inventory Management, Cost Control, Food Safety.
- Directed production and plating for large-scale banquets, overseeing a team to meet strict deadlines and maintain quality under pressure.
- Trained and mentored other staff (cooks, servers, and hospitality) promoting skill development and teamwork.
- Collaborated with kitchen team to streamline dessert production processes for efficiency.
Pastry Chef
Hamilton’s At First and Main
2017 - 2019
- Crafted artisanal pastries using high-quality ingredients, ensuring consistency in flavor and presentation.
- Developed new dessert recipes, enhancing menu variety and customer satisfaction.
- Created menus for lunch, dinner, holidays and special events.
- Managed inventory levels for baking supplies, optimizing cost control and minimizing waste.
Education
Baking And Pastry Arts Certificate - Baking And Pastry Arts
Manatee Technical College
Bradenton, FL01-2015
High School Diploma -
Nelson County High School
Lovingston, VA 01-2014
Skills
- Bilingual
- Relationship Building
- Multicultural awareness
- Organizational and planning skills
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Clerical Skills
- Calm and patient demeanor
- Emotional intelligence
- Strong work ethic and dependable
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Timeline
Instructional Assistant
Charlottesville City Schools
10.2023 - Current
Pastry Sous Chef
Paradox Pastry
2021 - 2023
Pasty Chef
Boars Head Resort
2019 - 2021
Pastry Chef
Hamilton’s At First and Main
2017 - 2019
Baking And Pastry Arts Certificate - Baking And Pastry Arts
Manatee Technical College
High School Diploma -
Nelson County High School