professional skills
Take a look at the skills I have acquired and honed over a 30 year journey.
natural leadership
strong work ethic
I am not afraid of putting the hours in to see visions come to life. Leading people, conducting business means leading by example. If the leader doesn't put in their full effort, then the rest of the workforce will follow suit. Every person, from the CEO to entry-level workers, must have a good work ethic to keep the company functioning at it's peak.
extreme ownership
Leaders must own both the wins and the losses. I have an aggressive - not overbearing, proactive - not reactive, team based - not solo, ask questions until you understand why so you can believe in what you are doing, no-excuse - figure it out, humble - not passive, no finger pointing, quiet but not silent, calm but not robotic, logical but not devoid of emotions style of leadership. Why? Because it is ultimately my responsibility.
conflict resolution
I believe in immediate resolution of conflict. My rule is go to the person of which there is an issue. If the issue cannot be resolved between the two people, then bring it before the supervisor. If the issue still cannot be resolved, then the issue goes before the team leaders of whom will then pass a decision in which the conflict will then be resolved. The parties in the matter must then abide by that decision. I don't believe in drama, gossip mills or passive aggressive behavior. It takes energy, time and creativity and misplaces it. I believe in coming to a consensus - a decision that everyone can live with - not a vote.
communicator
I have come to understand - and act as if - others do not have the information I may have. Communication requires the covering of all the information, asking questions and allowing questions, engaged listening, watching for non-verbal ques, clarity, open-mindedness, and respect.
education
teacher
A passionate teacher, I love using every tool in my tool box to get to know the students, have the students get to know each other, get students engaged in every lesson, and increase learning and retention.
clear objectives
In the world of education, your objectives for your students act as road signs to your destination. Your plan is the map. Making a plan does not suggest a lack of creativity in your curriculum but rather, gives creativity a framework in which to flourish.
sense of purpose
I see the big picture can ride above the hard and boring days because my eye is on something further down the road.
positive attitude
Negative energy zaps creativity and it makes a nice breeding ground for fear of failure. Good teachers have an upbeat mood, a sense of vitality and energy, and see past momentary setbacks to the end goal. Positivity breeds creativity and I am a ball of positive energy!
expect success
This concept is similar for parents as well. Students need someone to believe in them. They need a wiser and older person to put stock in their abilities . . . Set the bar high and then create an environment where it’s okay to fail. I motivate my students to keep trying until they succeed.
sense of humor
Humor and wit make a lasting impression. It reduces stress and frustration, and gives people a chance to look at their circumstances from another point of view. If you interviewed 1000 students about their favorite teacher, I’ll bet 95% of them were hysterical.
use of praise
Students need encouragement yes, but real encouragement. Praise from me as their teacher, but also praise from their classmates. Teachers shouldn't create an environment where there is no praise or recognition; you want to create one where the praise that you offer is valuable BECAUSE everyone praises.
risk taker
There is a wise saying that reads, “Those who go just a little bit too far are the ones who know just how far one can go.” Risk-taking is a part of the successful formula. My students need to see me try new things in the classroom and they will watch closely how I handle failure in my risk-taking. This is as important as what you are teaching.
consistent
Consistency means that I do what I say I will do, not changing my rules based on my mood. My students can rely on me when they are in need.
parents
Collaboration between parents and teachers is absolutely crucial to a student’s success. Create an open path of communication so parents can come to you with concerns and you can do the same. When a teacher and parents present a united front, there is a lower chance that your student will fall through the cracks.
change in the classroom
Change ignites the brain with excitement and adventure. I change up my classroom to keep students on their toes. Simple changes like rearranging desks and routines can breathe new life in the middle of a long year.
professional development
Good teachers find time in their schedule to learn themselves. Not only does it help bolster my knowledge in a certain subject matter, it also puts me in the position of student. This gives me a perspective about the learning process that I can easily forget when I'm always in teaching mode.
certified trainer & teacher
certified Kagan Professional Development trainer
As one of the select few to be chosen to go through this rigorous trainer boot camp, I am now a Kagan Certified Professional Development Trainer. I can train teams how to work more cohesively together, divisions on how to become more collaborative, and leaders on how to effectively lead.
certified Kagan Coach
As the only Kagan Coach in the southeast Asia / Pacific region, I work with educators in their classrooms during their lessons to implement their Kagan Cooperative Learning training. I also work with them on lesson planning and scope. Administrators shadow me during this time so they can see the progress of their teachers, the affect on students, and how to support their staff when I am not there.
outstanding presentation skills
Being a corporate trainer, a key speaker for conferences and an executive coach requires presentation skills above reproach. The keys for me are to engage everyone, require movement and get others talking, too.
patient listener
The capacity to listen, ask the right questions, and understand the needs of the learner is at the top of this list. I carefully listen to the target audience and unpacking what they need most. A talented trainer is able to listen so closely to what their target audience thinks they need, but can clearly see what they actually need.
strategic training
One of the most important qualities of a good trainer is their ability to keep their eye on the goal, and the associated restrictions, without compromising on training quality. I believe this is best achieved through partnering with various roles within the organization, such as department heads, operations, and administration.
encourage engagement
Turning training into a two-way street (rather than a one-man show) is at the core of what makes me good trainer. Yes, being entertaining is a fantastic quality. But, getting learners to absorb and retain new skills goes way beyond entertainment. For skill development to really happen, learners need opportunities to share their ideas, answer questions, and practice what they’ve learned. The traditional “top-down” lecture style simply isn’t effective for achieving meaningful learning, even if the lecturer is a blast. I encourage learners to ask questions, get involved in activities, and be active in their learning rather than passively absorbing the material.
engaging instructional design
I design well-structured courses and build fit-for-purpose content. A trainer’s in-person presence and delivery are often mistaken as the determining factor of their effectiveness. Truthfully, I put a lot of work into planning training programs that meet all the organization’s training goals and create seamless learning experiences. This work makes all the difference to learner results and long-term behavioral improvement.
life-long learner
Who better to deliver training than someone who is constantly learning themselves? That’s why lifelong learning is one of the most important things for me. Trainers who regularly undertake their own learning are more in touch with the struggles and triumphs of the everyday adult learner. This makes me more effective in choosing content types, topics, and convenience features like mobile learning when planning a course. Lifelong learners are also inherently inspirational. My passion and thirst for learning is infectious and can make all the difference when the topic I need to teach is dry or obscure.
business operations
talented negotiator
Demeanor is everything in negotiation. Respect and gratitude play a large role in successful negotiation. I believe in outcomes that benefit both parties in the best way possible.
strategic partnership building
I believe this is one of the most crucial skills in business. It is imperative that small business owners build a network of mentors and relationships. In larger companies and organizations, these partnerships create a bond that is stronger than the two would be separately. Finding people or businesses who are strong where you may be weak is a major key to success.
networking expert
The relationships that you build and the people that you know certainly help drive the success of any project, program or business. Success can sometimes mirror the old adage, "It's all about who you know". You never know who might be the person or the organization that has the answer or solution you are looking for. Network, network, network. It's part of every good marketing plan.
marketing
customer service
I believe every position is a customer service position. Every person in the organization shopuld know how to treat people inside the organization as well as outside. This is the first step in marketing. If your employees aren't happy, your clients won't be happy.
customer targeting
I take the STP approach to target marketing. It is important for a business to identify and select a target market so it can direct its marketing efforts to that group of customers and better satisfy their needs and wants.
market research
Because I am an observer of people, I enjoy market research, which includes social and opinion research, the systematic gathering and interpretation of information about individuals or organizations using statistical and analytical methods and techniques of the applied social sciences to gain insight or support decision making.
marketing and advertising
Advertising is just one component, or subset, of marketing. Public relations, media planning, product pricing and distribution, sales strategy, customer support, market research and community involvement are all parts of comprehensive marketing efforts. I have developed a nose for the routes businesses and organizations should go.
background check
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I have never been arrested or committed a crime nor been a suspect in any criminal investigation. Click the icon to the left to view the latest FBI background check.