Experience

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  The Avon Company

  • Raleigh, NC

  • Avon Independent Sales Representative

    • Jul 2018 - Present
    • Raleigh, NC

    Premier Club Seller. Offer individualized, online customer service to include Virtual Personal Shopping Consultation. Customers may confidently shop from the comfort of their home or office. Email my customer base twice monthly to connect with them and share new bi-weekly special offers. Manage personalized Avon eStore. Utilize social media to market products as well as self-train on current and new products. Mentor and train new representatives on my team. Maintain personal Avon Facebook and Instagram Business Pages as well as personal Avon Google My Business Site and Alignable Business Site. Develop and maintain relationships with current, new, and potential customers. Follow up with customers by phone, text, or messaging to develop relationships and gain necessary information to assist customers with their purchases. Guide customers through the online shopping process. Includes customer service, taking and placing orders online and face-to-face. Assist organizations, groups, and causes raise funds as an Avon Fundraising Specialist. *Trusted brand and products every family uses. *No door to door selling, everything is done online. *You will have an exclusive link dedicated to your cause or organization. No paperwork...No inventory... Profits in hand in as little as 3 weeks! Email me for details - [email protected].

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  Freelance Educational Consultant

  • On-line or face to face

  • Consultant

    • Jan 2004 - Present
    • On-line or face to face

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  Mindful Educational Consulting

  • Clayton, NC

  • Consultant

    • Jan 2007 - Present
    • Clayton, NC

    Conduct workshops/classes for training in learning modalities, study strategies, use of the internet to locate academic resources for homeschooling purposes.Administer and interpret diagnostic tests, inventories, and other assessment tools to individualize student learning strategy training.Develop curriculum, design courses, and create assessments using a wide variety of teaching aids, and implementation strategies to engage students in active learning.Work part-time as a remote online scorer for assessment projects.

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  Freelance Item Writer/Reviewer

  • On-line or face to face

  • Educational Consultant

    • Oct 2005 - Present
    • On-line or face to face

    Freelance Science Content Test Item Writer and Reviewer.Language Arts Reader/Evaluator (Remote). Measurement Incorporated. Durham, NC. April-May 2021.Language Arts Reader/Evaluator (Remote). Measurement Incorporated. Durham, NC. March-June 2019.Language Arts Reader/Evaluator (Online). Measurement Incorporated. Durham, NC. March-June 2017.GED Assessment Reading and Language Arts Fairness Review Meeting (WebEx). (TEI) June 13 and June 18, 2013.GED Assessment Science/Social Studies Fairness Review Meeting (WebEx). (TEI) May 30 and June 3, 2013.Completed 8 week free online course "Writing in the Sciences" provided by Stanford University through COURSERA Inc. November 30, 2012 (Certificate, with Distinction).GED Assessment Math and RLA Fairness Review Meeting (WebEx). (TEI) July 20 and July 24-26, 2012.GED Assessment Science Content Review Meeting (WebEx). (TEI) July 6 and July 10-12, 2012.Social Studies/Science GED Assessment Fairness Review Meeting (WebEx). (TEI) April 13 and 17-19, 2012.Social Studies Assessment Prototypes Item Writing Training, 0.8 CEU credits. Accountability Services Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Raleigh, North Carolina. February 25, 2012 (Certificate).NC Testing Program Online Training: NCTP Moodle. IW101; TD101C_SCI5X2; (2009-2011). Technology Enhanced Item (TEI) Development ,TD101A_SCI (2011-2012).End of Grade Science Item Writing Training, 0.8 CEU Credits. Accountability Services Division of N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Raleigh, North Carolina. April 1, 2011 (Certificate).NCEXTEND2 Science and English II Item Tryout Review, 0.4 CEU Credits. Accountability Services Division of N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Raleigh, North Carolina. February 11, 2011.North Carolina Test of Computer Skills. Scoring participant. Accountability Services Division of N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Raleigh, North Carolina. October - December, 2005.

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  Measurement Incorporated

  • Durham, North Carolina, United States

  • Language Arts Reader/Evaluator (Remote)

    • Apr 2023 - Jun 2023
    • Durham, North Carolina, United States

    Successfully trained to score performance assessments using the required scoring procedure. Maintained consistent and reliable scoring throughout the project.

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  Neighborhood Academy Of Music

  • Clayton, NC

  • Assistant

    • Mar 2019 - May 2020
    • Clayton, NC

    Meet and Greet. Serve as receptionist, to include: explaining programs to walk-ins, keeping accurate phone logs, arranging prospective student/teacher calls, taking messages for teachers, explaining what academy offers, etc. Provide registration and help clients complete registration process. Help maintain registration records on office computer. Manage showroom and help buyers with purchases. Facilitate rental of musical instruments and other duties.

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  Brown's Academy (Homeschool)

  • NC

  • Homeschool Facilitator and Learning Specialist

    • Apr 2004 - Jun 2015
    • NC

    Homeschooled two sons to graduation with High School Diplomas (2015). Incorporated learning strategy principles into classroom and individual instruction (includes teaching courses in Homeschool Co-Ops). Integrated instructional technology approaches to learning subject material (Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies and more). Researched and utilized appropriate educational resources found via the internet.Level 3 Qualification for Assessment (approved to order and administer standardized tests) August 2007.Professional DevelopmentCompleted Parent Leadership Development Training under supervision of Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, April 2004.

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  CS4HS@Duke

  • Durham, North Carolina

  • Teacher (Homeschool)

    • 2012 - 2012
    • Durham, North Carolina

    As a high school educator, I had the opportunity to learn about new resources for teaching and using computer science activities in the classroom. During the two day workshop, I was introduced to two major computer science education frameworks, Exploring Computer Science (ECS), and the proposed AP course CS Principles. I was exposed to non-traditional programming languages (SCRATCH; App Inventor; ALICE), that are readily available for immediate use with students.

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  Florida Humanities Council

  • Winter Park, Florida

  • Teacher Seminar Participant, "Jump at the Sun: Zora Neale Hurston and her Eatonville Roots."

    • 2010 - 2010
    • Winter Park, Florida

    Listened to and learned about Zora Neale Hurston from an in-depth Humanities perspective.

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  Johnston County Schools

  • Smithfield, NC

  • Special Education Teacher

    • Aug 2001 - Jun 2002
    • Smithfield, NC

    Mathematics and Language Arts. Smithfield Middle School, Smithfield, NC. Monitored, planned, and implemented Individualized Education Plans (IEP's) for 16 Exceptional sixth grade students. My sixth grade homeroom consisted of these students. I followed the students to their regular Mathematics and Language Arts classes and negotiated accommodations in the regular classroom between the regular classroom teachers and my students based on their IEP's and academic performance.During homeroom, I enriched the Mathematics and Language Arts content by creating step-by-step study guides, graphic organizers, repetition, and demonstrating different ways to learn materials. I also taught note taking skills, cognitive mapping as an alternative to note taking, and ways to solve math word problems. I made sure classroom and testing modifications were done, such as separate setting, multiple testing sessions, extended time, and/or mark in book as indicated by each child's IEP. I monitored students' academic progress and behavior by communicating with each student's teachers. I wrote and distributed IEP report cards for each student.I contacted parents as needed regarding students' behavior in class, which included completing, and turning in assigned work to regular teachers. 80% of my students improved their Language Arts and Mathematics scores to Level 3 and Level 4 (4 was the highest score a student could earn).

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  University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

  • Completed comprehensive, oral exam, and research toward Ph.D. in Ed. Psych.

  • Educational Psychologist (ABD)

    • Aug 1989 - May 1995
    • Completed comprehensive, oral exam, and research toward Ph.D. in Ed. Psych.

    I am an Applied Educational Psychologist who is also a stay-at-home Mother and a Home Educator. One of my children is autistic and one is gifted. I use skills from Learning Theories and Teaching and Learning courses on a daily basis. I also delved into independent studies that included: gifted education, learning styles, and learning disabilities. I use an eclectic approach to homeschooling which includes the Constructivist learning theory model. Most of my "work" is unpaid but I am gaining very valuable first hand experience as I continue to have strong interests in students as successful learners. I seek to find ways to motivate students to improve their self-regulated learning skills. I accept students where they are and listen to what motivates them to learn and we go from there. I performed part-time educational consulting work such as a team developed Learning, Motivation, and Study Skills Assessment component for a small college “Learning community” model. I have done volunteer work as a Technology Resource Coordinator to locate resources (including grant funds) and make recommendations for the functional design of a Community Technology Center. My cost effective suggestions included specific educational and computing software. Since 2009, I have done Freelance Assessment work as an Item-writer, and item reviewer. I am also keenly interested in Science Education, Assessment and Educational Technology.

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  University of South Carolina

  • United States
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Graduate Student

    • 1989 - 1995

    I studied Educational Psychology courses that addressed how students learn, cognition, motivation, and cognitive assessments. I also did an Independent Study Project on Learning Styles. My background includes several rewarding years of work with college students and faculty as teacher, trainer, and academic counselor. Key strengths include: team player and facilitator; genuine concern for students; strong mentoring abilities; proactive assessment of student learning disabilities; provision of special seminars for students on test taking strategies; and strong academic advising skills. I was exposed to Freshman Year Seminar programming, the Upward Bound Program, and Student Affairs programming at the University level. I worked as an academic counselor with the Academic Skills Program for three years (under Division of Student Affairs). This included one-on-one academic coaching and campus-wide presentations on various topics to include: test taking skills, time management, learning styles, learning strategies for sciences and more. I worked as an academic advisor to 1st and 2nd year nursing students and provided test taking skills for the NCLEX-RN exam (with Academic Affairs under College of Nursing). I have sustained research, interest, and enthusiasm for seeking ways to help motivate students to improve their self-regulated learning skills. Professional DevelopmentTeaching Fellow, College of Education, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. June-August 1994.Completed 10 hours of Training in University Classroom Teaching under the supervision of the University of South Carolina Instructional Development Project, August 1992.Completed University of South Carolina's University 101 Workshop "The Teaching Experience," January, 1989.

  • Graduate Assistant for Academic Improvement

    • May 1992 - Dec 1994

    Work consisted of undergraduate advisement; counseling and monitoring conditionally admitted nursing students; freshman recruitment. Trained other graduate students in nursing advisement procedures. Worked with practicing nurses and nursing students as a Learning Coach to help improve scores on their tests. Presented Test Taking Strategy workshops for NCLEX-RN Preparation Course.

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  Washington State University, College of Education, Pullman, WA

  • Pullman, Washington

  • Minority Teaching Fellow

    • Jun 1994 - Aug 1994
    • Pullman, Washington

    Served as a teaching assistant to professor for an EDPY 501 graduate course, Theoretical Foundations of Learning and Instruction. Education and Counseling majors were exposed to learning theories applied to various educational settings. Also participated in and assisted with a one week graduate level institute titled "The ABC's of Multimedia Technologies." Critiqued a software program for college biology curriculum known as BIOQUEST.

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  Academic Skills Program, Department of Student Development and Educational Services

  • University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

  • Graduate Assistant

    • Aug 1989 - May 1992
    • University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

    Broad variety of responsibilities including administering and interpreting the Nelson-Denney Reading Test (NDRT), the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) and learning styles inventories (Myers-Briggs Type Inventory, etc.) Helping college students assess their learning strengths and weaknesses was our goal. Individual learning skills counseling and group presentations were frequently done on the following topics: Learning and Study Strategies; Test Taking Skills; Test Taking Skills specific to Science; Time Management; and Learning Styles.

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  Freshman Year Experience, University of South Carolina

  • University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina

  • Instructor, University 101 "The Student in the University"

    • Jun 1990 - May 1991
    • University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina

    Taught two freshman seminar courses to holistically enhance all aspects of surviving the freshman year experience.

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  Molecular Biology, Biology Department, University of South Carolina

  • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Research Specialist

    • Sep 1987 - May 1989
    • Columbia, South Carolina

    Specialized in RNA isolation, genetic engineering of plasmids, restriction analysis and transfection of target cells into specific plasmids. Cell culture experience included: sterile and aseptic techniques; maintenance and preparation of continuous cell lines; media preparation; protein and DNA synthesis assays;preparation of cells for cryopreservation. Used small-scale bioreactors to grow cells (e.g. Petri dishes, and T-flasks). Documented detailed scientific procedures/methods in research notebooks.

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  Molecular Pathology, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

  • Houston, Texas

  • Research Assistant

    • May 1984 - Aug 1987
    • Houston, Texas

    Work included: isolation of DNA and RNA, DNA extraction, elution of DNA fragments from agarose, cloning, Northern and Southern Blot. Performed large scale and mini plasmid preps, SDS-PAGE gels. Prepared media and solutions required for routine cell culture including maintaining and harvesting cells. Used small-scale bioreactors to grow cells to include: Petri dishes, T-flasks, spinner flasks, roller bottles, and rocking bag bioreactor with wave induced motion. Maintained and harvested mammalian cells (e.g. mouse fibroblasts, HeLa cells, and others). Work with oncogenes, genetic engineering of plasmids (random subclone generation) and bacterial transformation and transfection of various mammalian cells in tissue culture. Performed mammalian protein expression work. Work with Chloramphenicol Acetyltransferase Assay (CAT) using cell hosts pSV2-CAT and pRSV-CAT. Accurately documented procedures, results, and interpretations in scientific notebooks. Reported research findings at lab meetings.

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  Physiology Department, University of South Carolina, School of Medicine

  • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Lab Manager and Research Technician

    • Feb 1979 - May 1983
    • Columbia, South Carolina

    Floating technician among six researchers (primarily Cardiovascular and Neurophysiology). Recorded protocols, kept detailed notes, records, and data account for each researcher. Supervised work-study students in individual researchers' laboratories. Work included performing clinical chemistry procedures for analysis or blood, urine, and organ samples. Experience obtaining animal tissue samples. Cytotechnology type of work included histology techniques on rat brain and variety of physiological experiments. Learned how to use, maintain, and troubleshoot all physiology laboratory instrumentation. Monitored and updated equipment inventory (Federal and State)for the Physiology Department.

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  Neuroscience Department, Wm. J. Bryan Dorn Veteran's Administration Hospital

  • Columbia, South Carolina

  • Research Technician

    • Sep 1978 - Feb 1979
    • Columbia, South Carolina

    Assist with Psychologists' research in Neuroscience lab. Their topic was: "Effects of Naloxone on Eye Blink Conditioning and Heart Rate in Rabbits." Work included performing a Biogenic Amines Assay and a Dopamine Receptor Binding assay. Kept scientific records. Also helped interpret data.

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  Physics, South Carolina State University,

  • Orangeburg, South Carolina

  • Research Technician

    • May 1978 - Aug 1978
    • Orangeburg, South Carolina

    Worked on a component of a Biophysics project. Performed literature searches for, found, and modified a technique for isolating, purifying, and storing viable soybean leaf chloroplasts which were suitable for electron spin resonance studies. I supervised this research activity with two assistants.

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  Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Howard University College of Medicine, Howard University Hospital

  • Washington, DC

  • Research Technician

    • May 1976 - Apr 1978
    • Washington, DC

    Assisted with establishment of new laboratory for NIH Supported Immunology research. Learned and mastered immunology research procedures (e.g. separating polymorphonuclear cells (pmns) from red blood cells; direct and indirect leukocyte migration inhibition assays, in vitro), which were related to understanding individual immune responses to both known chemicals and products derived from cancerous tissue samples. Extensive literature searches were done at NIH and procurement of information relating to similar research. Other research duties were related to colo-rectal tumor immunology (cancer) studies among African Americans.

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  Chemistry, South Carolina State University

  • Orangeburg, South Carolina

  • Minority Biomedical Support Research Trainee (Biochemistry)

    • Apr 1974 - May 1975
    • Orangeburg, South Carolina

    Learned how to process and purify human plasma, isolate globin, and lyophilize globin. At later dates, protein concentrtation was determined by the "Lowery Method." Gel Chromatography (using Sephadex G - 100), and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis methods were used to analyze isolated globin. Enzyme kinetics studies, including enzyme inhibition focused on laboratory prepared porphyrin compounds were also performed. Utilized biochemical instrumentation to analyze samples (e.g. spectrophotometer). While a research trainee, did an independent study research project titled "Determination of the Molecular Weight of Human Globin." Gained valuable experience in the area of determining the molecular weight of various mammalian proteins.