Human Resources Director
Resume:
Sharon L. Lawrence
******************@*****.*** Cell: 631-***-**** Skype: slawren1988 Dedicated Leadership, passion,
and service
October 2, 2015
Dear Sir or Madam ;
I was delighted to learn via Beyond.com that you have a position available at your company. I grew up in the Berkshires and am in the process of moving back to the area after living and working in the New York metropolitan area. Having worked in the hospitality industry in the past and looking forward to make a change in my career which utilizes the skills that I have acquired, the position as Human Resources Director is very appealing. For 8 years, I served as the primary recruiter at the Knox School. I reviewed all incoming résumés, conducted all preliminary interviews (both phone and Skype), and arranged for all on-site interviews. Once hired, I served as a mentor for new faculty and as a Spanish-speaker, helped to acclimate all Spanish-speaking employees. As the Assistant Head, I updated the faculty handbook yearly so that it reflected both New York State and Federal employment laws. I conducted disciplinary hearings for employees and counseled employees as necessary. In addition, I conducted all benefit meetings for all Spanish-speaking employees. On multiple occasions, I represented the school at New York State Unemployment hearings. Over the years, I have completed coursework in marketing and accounting at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
My primary purview has been running school programs, but I have also been involved in decision-making in institutional advancement and enrollment; I perceive having no difficulty transitioning to this position. My position as an institutional leader entailed interacting daily with diverse communities within the organization. Partnering with others is a large part of leadership, whether interacting with employees, observing others the workplace, mentoring employees, or developing new programs. Collaborating with others to understand and articulate the institution’s goals is a crucial element of 21st century organizational leadership. Good leaders understand the importance of developing relationships built on trust between institutional stakeholders to meet institutional goals. I believe that I have developed the necessary collaborative and communication skills necessary to serve your organization. Over the past 20 years, I have worked with people from very diverse backgrounds both in terms of culture and language as well as people from different sociology-economic circumstances, and people with learning differences. Having lived and worked in Europe and Latin America, I am not only fluent in Spanish, French, and German, but I also understand the cultural disconnect that people experience when starting a job in a new country. Over the years, I have come to understand the complexities of bilingualism and diversity. I believe that I have the necessary understanding and empathy to be successful in your organization.
In my mind, a good leader is an enthusiastic and avid learner who is passionate about their work and eager to develop each person to his or her fullest potential. If there are issues to be addressed, then they should be met head on. Good leaders seek knowledge, they research possibilities, and they work together with others to solve problems. I am not afraid of the challenges of this position nor the work involved in meeting these challenges. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications for this position with you. Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at ******************@*****.*** or by phone at 631-***-****. Kind regards,
Sharon L. Lawrence
Sharon L. Lawrence
P.O. Box 44 Norfolk, CT 06058
******************@*****.*** Cell: 631-***-**** Skype: slawren1988 Dedicated Leadership, passion,
and service
SUMMARY: Passionate multilingual leader with fifteen years of administrative management experience who is committed to transforming organizations and people’s lives though service and collaborative action. EXPERIENCE:
THE KNOX SCHOOL, St. James, NY 2007– 2015
Assistant Head of School
Designed a research-based 6-week summer English as a Second Language Program to improve enrollment in summer programs
Researched, developed and implemented a system of faculty observation and evaluation improving student learning
Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, mentoring and supervision of all faculty
Improved image of the school as an institution with strong academic programs through strategic hiring and professional development
Participated in EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS ADMINISTRATOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM, a three-week administrator program through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State in ARGENTINA (2012) NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 2000-2007 Assistant Headmaster (August 2006 – June 2007)
Chair, Language Department (Languages Other than English, ESL and Fine Arts) (2000 – 2006) Grant writer (Summer 2003)
Designed a research-based Comprehensive English as a Second Language Program improving student outcomes
Researched archived information as well as grant possibilities improving school’s development efforts
Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, mentoring and supervision of all departmental faculty
Expanded Fine Arts program to include additional electives as well as an end of the year Art Show
Participated in FULBRIGHT MEMORIAL FUND PROGRAM, a three-week teacher/administrator program JAPAN (2003) RANKIN COUNTY SCHOOLS, Brandon, MS 1996 - 1998
Tutor/Teacher of English as a Second Language (K – 12)
Served as an advocate for Spanish-speaking students and their families improving overall communication with families. BLANTYRE RESORT, Lenox, MA (1991 – 1995)
Front Desk
Worked to provide the best possible experience by arranging for concert tickets, dinner reservations, massage therapy, and other services to guests
Prepared guest bills for services and handled phone reservations for guest rooms and dining services. COUNTRY CURTAINS/FITZPATRICK REALTY & RETAIL, Lee, MA (1993 – 1995) Administrative Assistant
Completed marketing analysis to improve retail sales in stores
Worked with advertising to create text for Spanish-speaking ads KIMBALL FARMS – a Life-Care Community, Lenox, MA (1991 – 1993) Administrative Assistant
Worked with residents to create and publish a monthly community newsletter
Supported marketing efforts by maintaining the database of leads PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOPS LED
At National Conferences:
Independent Educational Consultants Association (Baltimore) - Different Selves, Different Cultures: From Tolerance to Appreciation (May 2015)
Council for the Advancement and Support of Education II: Monumental Shifts (Washington, DC) - Revisiting Third Culture: From Dialogue to Inclusion (February 2015)
Sharon L. Lawrence
P.O. Box 44 Norfolk, CT 06058
******************@*****.*** Cell: 631-***-**** Skype: slawren1988 Dedicated Leadership, passion,
and service
The Association of Boarding Schools/National Association of Independent Schools Global Symposium (San Francisco) - Developing Global Citizens in a Diverse Community (April 2014) Selected presentations at the Knox School:
Howard Gardner’s “Five Kinds of Minds for the 21st Century”: An introduction to Gardner’s ideas (April 2009) Emotional Literacy & Stress: A Snapshot of the ideas JoAnn Deak and Marc Brackett (February 2009) Threat Assessment: A review and discussion of Department of Education and Secret Service Research (April 2008) EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, Lowell, Massachusetts 2004–2007
M.Ed. Education Administration – 2007
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, Amherst, Massachusetts 1995
Admitted into the MBA Program, Coursework in Marketing Management INDIANA UNIVERSITY, Bloomington, Indiana 1981 - 1984
Admitted into Doctoral Program in Department of Political Science – 1981 SIENA COLLEGE, Loudonville, New York 1976 – 1980
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Graduated Magna Cum Laude – 1980 RELATED EXPERIENCES
Coached youth recreational and competitive soccer, basketball, and softball in Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and New York
Traveled extensively in Europe, Eastern Canada, Japan and South America
Proficient speaking, reading, writing in French, Spanish and German
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