Training Specialist

• Aug 2020 - Present

Community Outreach and Program Coordinator

• Sep 2013 - Jul 2020

After the successful growth of the Career Connection Centers - which took tremendous strides in both reach and impact - during my first four years at Goodwill of Central Iowa, I transitioned to a new role in the company as an Outreach Specialist. This role has since evolved to include Program Coordination. As Outreach Specialist and Program Coordinator, I have the pleasure of connecting and collaborating with community agencies and employers throughout our 22-county region. The intentional collaboration has allowed me the opportunity to help create and strengthen programming including the multi-partner Creating Excellence in Re-entry (CEiR), GCI's Summer Youth Work Readiness program, and the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator. I continue to have the opportunity to collaborate with community agencies, develop innovative programming, and further support the positive impact made by Goodwill of Central Iowa's programming. "You Donate. We Train. Jobs Earned. Lives Changed." is not just a tag line - it is an intentional statement of strength and support! Show less

Area Placement Representative

• Sep 2008 - Jun 2018

World Heritage is known for its ability to help create a world of possibilities through exchange of ideas and cultures in a short-term, semester, or year-long student exchange program. I have had the pleasure of working with families and school districts throughout Central Iowa in bringing an opportunity to experience the world right in their homes by hosting a student. I have the pleasure of marketing the program to area districts, schools, and community. I also evaluate and vet potential host families. In keeping in line with my other full-time positions in the non-profit sector, I also complete placement records, maintain confidential information at all times, and keep current, accurate record of all contacts, events, and school reports utilizing an online, company-specific database. I am excited to know that students whom we have connected to families have taken great pride in demonstrating their culture with us, while experiencing the American culture first-hand. Show less

Marketing Manager

• Oct 2008 - Sep 2013

There is no better feeling in the world than assisting someone to attain their goals of employment and watching them flourish along the way. During my time at Link Associates, I served in multiple capacities within the Employment Services division. I assisted with restructuring of Employment Services division, supported the mission of Link Associates; advocating for consumers to community businesses, located opportunities for competitive employment, work-services contracts, and enclave work as Marketing Manager, contacted consumers and businesses to coordinate meetings and trained consumers in locating and interviewing for ideal employment as a Job Developer, and assisted in on-site consumer training and assimilation as an Employment Training Specialist. Accurate, thorough record keeping, and strict adherence to confidentiality were extremely important. I also had the pleasure of serving on the documentation review committee for two years. I continue to remain available as an on-call respite provider for Link - I appreciate what Link is able to do as a full-spectrum provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Show less

Adjunct ESL Instructor

• Jan 2009 - May 2010

I have had the pleasure of seeing my past experiences providing opportunity to strengthen the professional I am now. As a Community Outreach Specialist, I am often working with organizations supporting populations of English language learners, for which I have a greater appreciation thanks to this position. I instructed adults from a wide variety of geographic areas in the use of the English language. Class size ranged from 5-15 students. Through lesson development, I aided the learning of my students in order to prepare them for national standardized CASAS testing, and for their own personal and professional goals. Show less

Trainer

• 2007 - 2010

I trained K-12 educators and administrative personnel in the use of web applications designed by rSchoolToday. Training groups ranged from 10-40 individuals. I worked individually and with the owner of the company, and self-taught on the use of their programs in order to successfully train groups. I trained K-12 educators and administrative personnel in the use of web applications designed by rSchoolToday. Training groups ranged from 10-40 individuals. I worked individually and with the owner of the company, and self-taught on the use of their programs in order to successfully train groups.

Courier

• Oct 2006 - Nov 2008

This position was an opportunity to regain focus in my career while remaining active and healthy. It also provided a great education into the businesses, residential areas, and overall region that helped my assimilation into Link Associates and Goodwill a smooth transition. This position was an opportunity to regain focus in my career while remaining active and healthy. It also provided a great education into the businesses, residential areas, and overall region that helped my assimilation into Link Associates and Goodwill a smooth transition.

Personal Tutor/Mentor

• Nov 2006 - Oct 2008

Tutor Recognized with award for Excellence in Education from Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa for my work with students and the child I tutored. Aided students' continued excellence with a 4.0+ GPA. Tutor Recognized with award for Excellence in Education from Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa for my work with students and the child I tutored. Aided students' continued excellence with a 4.0+ GPA.

Instructor

• Aug 2005 - Aug 2006

I taught sixth grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies. I taught sixth grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies.