Environmental scientist with masters degree giving lessons to middle school and high school students in the west broward area.

Laura's resume

Education Program Coordinator and Non Profit Manager
10+years’ success creating supportive learning communities and guiding impactful educational programming

Summary
Dedicated, results-driven, and dynamic professional with comprehensive experience providing education, leadership, and unique programs for diverse audiences including students and communities. Skilled communicator able to build collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams and peers to motivate productivity or learning and achieve objectives. Hard-working, dedicated, passionate and quick-learner with over 10 years of experience in the education and non-profit field and a Masters in Science in Ecological Leadership and Education. Passionate about education, social change, the environment, impacting positively people’s lives and creating healthy, supportive and compassionate communities.

Highlights
Skilled in group and discussion facilitation, team and community building, reflection practices, professional training and consensus building
Project development and management
Evaluation development, administration and operation support
Strong written and verbal communications skills; seasoned and effective public speaker
Relationship building

EDUCATION
M.S. IN ECOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION, AUDUBON EXPEDITION INSTITUTE AT LESLEY UNIVERSITY; CAMBRIDGE, MA - 2010

B.S: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSIRY; ANCHORAGE, AK – 2006

Experience

Student affairs Manager, THE SCHOOL FOR FIELD STUDIES, BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA August-december 2016
Proactively monitored individual or group issues, attitudes, and risks to implement risk mitigation strategies and ensure complete resolution. Prepared final reports and program guides. Directed aspects of Safety & Management school-wide, including enforcement of all rules and policies, on-site safety audits, and coordination of emergency plans.
Cultivated programming and training strategies able to equip students with knowledge in areas such as community building, critical thinking, cultural issues, leadership, conflict resolutions, and self-awareness.
Served in key student-facing role as point of contact and resource for addressing educational, emotional, cultural , health, safety or personal needs.
Continually evaluated existing programs, policies, and plans to identify opportunities for improvement and made recommendations for implementation.

Costa rica field Instructor, ECOLOGY PROJECT INTERNATIONAL (epi), COSTA RICA
FEBRUARY-JULY 2016
Coordinated and led immersive educational programs for local and foreign students, overseeing independent and group research activities in alignment with local and risk management protocol. Modeled, monitored, and enforced all policies and protocols to ensure safety, compliance, and program success.
Successfully promoted safe learning and living environment for all students while cultivating passion for subject matter and achieving motivated participation.
Managed complex logistical challenges and any emergencies on-site, leveraging ability to adapt quickly with outstanding critical thinking skills.
Built relationships with each student through understanding of individual developmental needs, a consistently positive attitude, and demonstrated passion for student success.
Recognized as being one of the strongest instructors in group by management; increased scope of responsibility to assist students with special needs within the program and led teacher fellowship & research expedition courses.

Program director, Citizens for a Better South Florida, Miami, FL 
mAY, 2015-january 2016
Designed, developed, and led diverse educational programs including various workshops and training sessions for local community. Participated in research and grant writing integral to funding program growth. Sourced and built local partnership with environmental and community service organizations.
Collaborated directly with Executive Director to build and integrate strategies for educational projects, programs, and campaigns.
Achieved grant and educational goals through a planning and leading educational and volunteer projects in coordination with local organizations.
Served as program representative at various community events such as festivals and conferences, capitalizing upon opportunities to build partnerships and spread awareness.

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR II, BROWARD COUNTY SOLID WASTE & RECYCLING SERVICES; PLANTATION, FL FEBRUARY - MAY 2015
Coordinated recycling programs, training, assessments, and services for all Broward County government agencies and facilities. Engaged in various community outreach programs and activities.
Established collaborations with multidisciplinary departments to successfully integrate and execute recycling initiatives.
Played key role in countywide Climate Change Taskforce as service representative in design future action plan and strategies.


DISCOVERY PROGRAM COORDINATOR, FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN; CORAL GABLES, FL
AUGUST 2010- DECEMBER 2014
Directed coordination of guided and independent education programs for students from elementary through high school. Designed interactive curriculum and educational programs able to enhance state standards and sustainability awareness within community. Led educational programs for students of all ages throughout diverse county while assisting with various outreach programs as well.
Developed and launched cutting-edge citizen science project to encourage community participation.
Created and implemented program evaluation strategies to promote continuous improvement and proactively identify risks or needs.
Established and maintained high standards of volunteer training, supervision, and cultivation.


M.S. IN ECOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION, AUDUBON EXPEDITION INSTITUTE AT LESLEY UNIVERSITY; CAMBRIDGE, MA -SEPTEMBER 2008- APRIL 2010
Extensive outdoor leadership and environmental field experience that included living, studying and facilitating environmental work in an outdoor environment on a variety of ecosystems across the United States on a 24 hour basis for a total of 34 weeks
Implemented sustainability practices, such as constructing greywater and rainwater harvesting systems
Led group on day hikes and backcountry trips on trail and overland in desert, sub-alpine, and coastal environments
Expertise in the application of experiential and bioregional education methodologies
Designed and taught graduate workshops in various environmental topics
Designed and utilized assessment criteria and feedback techniques such as written and/or self- evaluation and reflection, peer advising, and discussion-based group review
Facilitated decision making by utilizing consensus and committee representation
Developed significant group facilitation, conflict resolution, consensus building and mediation skills
Participated in collective visioning to develop practical goals and initiatives to support group cohesiveness and sense of community
Skilled in engaging multiple intelligences while implementing liberatory, critical, contemplative and reflective pedagogies in wilderness settings

COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Publisher, Excel and Powerpoint), InDesign, Adobe Professional, GIS