paralegal, communication specialist

Jan Elyse James

*** ****** ******

Hutto, Texas *8634

409-***-**** (cell)

*******@*****.***

TOP ASSETS

Self-motivated, goal oriented, exceptionally skilled in multitasking, detail oriented, highly skilled in legal and scholarly research and analysis, exceptionally articulate, highly effective in verbal and written communication, people oriented, approachable, ability to handle extreme pressure, adaptable and capable in learning, conscientious, flexible and inventive, public relations experience in a variety of professions, management experience, office experience, extensive teaching experience, and paralegal experience. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

General business: office, budgeting, scheduling, data entry, file maintenance, data gathering, management, interviewing, hostess, client liaison, receptionist

Paralegal: researched laws, investigated facts and prepared documents in classroom setting, gathered evidence and formulated defenses and initiated legal actions, interviewed mock clients and witnesses and prepared deposition summaries, developed strategies, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case assignments, trained on how to file briefs and pleadings with clerk MS Office: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Docs; Mac: Pages, Keynote, Quick time Player, Garage Band, iMovie; Legal Software: ProDoc, Westlaw; Blackboard system

Equipment: computers, copiers, overhead projection systems, fax machines, laminating machines, cash registers, calculators, color print/processing machines

EDUCATION

Master’s in Communication & Journalism, University of Wyoming, 2018, 3.83 GPA Paralegal Certificate, Center for Advanced Legal Studies, 2012, 4.0 GPA B.S. in Elementary Education, Lamar University, 1988 B.S. in Communications (Public Relations), Lamar University, 1984 PROFESSIONAL HONORS

2018 Top Thesis Award in the Department of Communication and Journalism which included receiving the William Donaghey Award as part of the prize at the University of Wyoming. 2017 Recipient of the Amy and Eric Burger Fund Scholarship given by the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Wyoming.

2012 Honors Certificate awarded by the Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston, Texas for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA (4.0 comprised of: six 100's, two 99's, one 98, and one 97). Chosen for Lambda Epsilon Chi while attending the Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston, Texas.

2005 Awarded the Golden Apple Award for Teaching at Henderson Middle School, which is part of Hardin-Jefferson ISD. The recipient of this award is nominated for enriching the lives of others and is awarded the Golden Apple Award for Teaching in recognition of their dedication and commitment to their profession. 2005 CTM in Toastmasters International for completing the Communication and Leadership Program manual, thus earning the rank of Competent Toastmaster (CTM). Area 7 Winner for the International Speaking Competition. Division & District 68 Runner-up for Humorous Speaking Competition.

1998 Selected for Who’s Who among Students in American Universities & Colleges while earning B.S. in Elementary Education at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1999-2000 Casper, Wyoming: 1st American Mortgage, Inc., P.O. Box 1717, Laramie, Wyoming 82073 Loan Processor:

Independently rented and maintained office to help clients secure mortgage loans. Acted as a liaison between the clients and underwriters throughout entire loan process and assisted in closings at Title Company. COLLEGIATE TEACHING

2016-2018 Laramie, Wyoming: University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie WY 82071 Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Communication and Journalism: Highly evaluated instructor of record teaching Public Speaking to undergraduates while maintaining office hours each week and tutoring in the Oral Communication Center. Chosen to present scholarly papers at the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice Annual Convention, the NCA 103rd Annual Convention, and the VISCOM 31 Annual Convention. 2017 Laramie, Wyoming: University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie WY 82071 Athletic Department Mentor for freshman football players: Effectively mentored a group of freshman football players over the summer by keeping students on task, proofreading assignments, making suggestions for improvement, and clarifying any misunderstanding with course content. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING INSTRUCTION AND ENRICHMENT 2008-2011 Sour Lake, Texas: Hardin-Jefferson ISD, 3025 Hwy 325 South, Sour Lake, Texas 77659 Communication Applications (Speech) Teacher:

Successfully fulfilled the high school graduation requirement for Texas students with a Speech Course titled Communication Applications for eighth grade students at Henderson Middle School during the academic year and during the summer to Hardin Jefferson High School students. Gave students practical, real world public speaking experience by creatively supplementing assigned textbook with impromptu speaking, mock interviews, informative and persuasive speaking assignments, and a 9-minute group podcast assignment featuring a mock newscast with spotlight stories and commercial breaks. 2004-2012 Sour Lake, Texas: Hardin-Jefferson ISD, 3025 Hwy 325 South, Sour Lake, Texas 77659 Hardin-Jefferson High School Band Booster member/officer/President: Successfully mentored high school band students grades 9-12, often in a supervisory position. Strengthened and enriched band program by organizing and maintaining all files, scholarship applications, and concession stand schedules. Helped band be successful by organizing and booking rooms and transportation for summer camp and senior band trip while maintaining a budget of $20,000.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHING

2004-2012 Sour Lake, Texas: Hardin-Jefferson ISD, 3025 Hwy 325 South, Sour Lake, Texas 77659 8th Grade English/U.S. History/Communications Teacher at Henderson Middle School: Innovatively taught grammar, composition, literary analysis, communication applications, and computer programs on both Mac and PC to middle school students utilizing MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and Mac programs such as Pages, Keynote, iMovie, and Garage Band to produce course materials and tests. Successfully organized and created a Holocaust Museum in auditorium to enrich student learning in conjunction with a unit over The Diary of Anne Frank. The local media came, observed, and photographed the event which became a featured article in the Hardin County News. 1993-1998 Vancouver, Washington: Evergreen and Vancouver School Districts in Vancouver, Washington 6th – 9th Grade Teacher at Alki MS, Frontier Junior High and Shumway MS: Flexibly accommodated the ongoing needs of the district by teaching a variety of subjects to fill gaps in the curriculum which included a 7th and 8th Grade Block of language arts and social studies integrating language arts and social studies and featuring an immigration unit and Civil War unit, visual art, creative dance, drama and Drama Intramurals, PE, speech, and Saturday School. ELEMENTARY TEACHING

2014-2016 Laramie, Wyoming: St. Laurence School, 608 South 4th Street, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 5th/6th Multi-Grade Classroom Teacher:

Creatively taught students through whole group instruction in a variety of core subjects including world history, math, reading, science, science lab, outdoor learning at Teton Science School, spelling/phonics, writing, and religion. Instilled community service by leading K-kids, part of the Laramie Kiwanis Club. Created a lasting memory by organizing, securing room accommodations, meals, transportation, and chaperones for St. Laurence School’s final 5th/6th Grade Graduation Trip. St. Laurence School closed in 2016.

2013-2014 Laramie, Wyoming: Albany County School District One, 1948 Grand Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 Paraprofessional/Bridges Summer School Teacher:

Flexibly accommodated the needs of the district by working as a paraprofessional at the UW Lab School, Spring Creek Elementary, and Bridges Summer School. Supporting staff as a paraprofessional included being a one-on-one para for a seventh- grade student, working in the Life Skills room with a second-grade student, teaching a second/third grade reading group, working in a four/five classroom for math, helping with a sixth/seventh grade literature circle, and teaching a nine-week elective of Improvisation. Teaching Bridges Summer School included being part of a five-member team teaching third grade students and students in Kindergarten who entered first grade in the fall. Aided long term retention of third grade students by organizing, filming, directing, and editing a final project for the third-grade team which was an iMovie in the format of a newscast. 2002–2004 Laramie, Wyoming: Snowy Range Academy, 4037 Grand Ave., Laramie, Wyoming 82070 5th Grade Classroom Teacher:

Ensured success for the first Charter School in Wyoming by effectively implementing Core Knowledge curriculum, Saxon math, and Spalding phonics to 5th grade students and by consistently collaborating with faculty, staff, administration and board members to plan for the library and future growth of the school. 1991 Sour Lake, Texas: Hardin-Jefferson ISD, 3025 Hwy 325 South, Sour Lake, Texas 77659 4th Grade Teacher at Sour Lake Elementary School:

Successfully transitioned a group of fourth graders into a departmentalized system and because of hard work and individualized instruction, all students advanced to fifth grade.

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