remote

AMY M. KOLASA

Jacksonville, FL *****

732-***-**** - adyztk@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Summary

High-energy Lead Teacher focused on improving teaching strategies and student understanding of material. Eager to help struggling students excel. Accomplished in Special Education and in Sales. Successful Educator and Seller who has the excellent ability to multitask while being an advocate for every one involved. Highly motivated Sales Associate with extensive customer service and sales experience. Outgoing sales professional with track record of driving increased revenue, improving buying experience. I worked well remotely during the pandemic at the Cummer Museum with my sales team. Consistently was recognized for sales performance and excellence in customer service.

Skills

Worked in a remote environment.

Proficient in Apple, PC and Macintosh; Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, MS Office Suite and Excel

Experienced with use of the SMART board.

Successfully implemented the Reading and Writing Workshop and Wilson's Reading Program in the classroom.

Trained in Everyday Math and the TERC Math Programs.

Competent in the Words Their Way and Fundations K-3 Programs.

Adept with an iPad and it's many educational applications for special and general elementary education.

Work History

08/2019 to 03/2021

Sales Associate & Docent-in-Training

CUMMER MUSEUM OF ARTS AND GARDENS – JACKSONVILLE, FL

Worked in various areas of the museum including: Front desk, Art Connections, main gift shop and the pop-up shops.

Provided positive first impressions to welcome existing, new, and potential customers.

Wrote summaries for items in the Cummer Shop when putting together the new Cummer webpage.

Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.

Interacted with the museum visitors and listening to their interests allowed me to guide them to specific areas of the museum that would give them the most complete Cummer experience.

Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.

Worked with Cummer Museum team through-out the pandemic.

12/2018 to 08/2019

Volunteer

Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens – Jacksonville, Florida

Worked with members of museum staff to guide and aide visitors through the museum

I facilitated, and actively participated with the docents and groups.

I was able to use my experience as an educator to assist with groups of various ages and educational levels.

Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and pla

10/2018 to 01/2019

Docent and Volunteer

Amelia Island History Museum – Fernandina Beach, FL

Greeter for both the Amelia Island Museum and the Amelia Island shrimp museum.

Was a docent in the Shrimp Museum and looked up new resources to add to the tour.

As an educator I provided visitors with more historical content for the tour and help guide them through the museum

developed tour strategies to highlight museum's permanent collection and increase visitor satisfaction.

09/2017 to 03/2018

Lead Special Education Teacher

Manhattan Day School – New York City, New York

Taught students across multiple classifications and degrees of special needs.

Used the lesson plans supplied by the lead teacher and augmented lesson to comply with the individual student's needs.

Had one-on-one time with students and also pushed in to classrooms to work with student in his/her classroom with his/her peers.

Taught additional lessons at student's home if requested.

Learned each student's interests to create a session that is helpful and fun at the same time.

I used many of my own manipulatives and created many of my own supplies to help student learn while relating to something they were interested in.

01/2014 to 11/2015

Lead Education Teacher & Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

KinderCare Learning Centers – Matawan, New Jersey

Used the lesson plans supplied by the lead teacher and augmented lesson to comply with the individual student's needs

Had one-on-one time with students and also pushed in to classrooms to work with student in his/her classroom with his/her peers

Would go to additional lessons at student's home if needed or requested

Learned each student's interests to create a session that is helpful and fun at the same time

I used many of my own manipulatives and created many of my own supplies to help student learn while relating to something they were interested in.

09/2008 to 06/2010

Substitute Teacher

Oceanport Board Of Education – Oceanport, NJ

Was requested most because of outcome and preservation of the core subject areas.

Taught a wide range of ages, from pre-school handicap to eighth grade honors classes

Primarily taught in the Special Education Department

Integrated lessons plans of my own creation through-out the day to enhance student understanding and engaged.

Worked in the Speech and Language Department for two months

Worked closely with the Speech and Language Pathologist and created appropriate lessons for students with a wide range of learning disabilities.

01/2004 to 01/2006

Assistant Curator

IntArt – New York, NY

Worked closely with Head Curator of IntArt Foundation, Alexandre Gertsman.

Received, photographed, cataloged, researched and prepared objects for display for Natalia Nesterova collection.

Helped compile research on Nesterova's art collection and Nesterova herself for galleries, museums, and numerous art shows proposals.

Compiled research for the published book, Natalia Nesterova:Rreflections of Time Past and was acknowledged in the introduction for my work.

Planned and conducted special research projects in resulting in development of new exhibits including at the Russian Consulate.

Moved and handled various types of artwork with exceptional care, following set requirements.

Networked at creative events to help identify new talent and artistic works coming from Russian artists in local areas.

06/2004 to 08/2004

Student Reacher

Dr. Donald Redford & Penn State University – Mendes, Egypt, EGYPT

Selected for participation in on-site archaeological excavation with renowned Dr. Donald Redford

Supervised and ran the unearthing of a 10m x 10m square in efforts to discover artifacts and learn more about the history of the site and the culture of the Ancient Egyptians

Found clay seal artifact that was notable for dating the excavation site.

Traveled to several Egyptian cities as Mendes, Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Mansourah, and Giza to explore the historical culture and gain insight into present-day Egyptian life.

Education

05/2012

M.D.: Elementary Education And Special Education

Pace University - New York, NY

Mastered and Certified in Elementary Education and Special Education

Graduated Summa Cum Laude - GPA 3.9

Kappa Delta Pi member – Education Honor Society (2011 - present)

Expected in 05/2024

Bachelor of Arts: History and Fine Arts, Fine Arts

New York University - New York, NY

Graduated Cum Laude - GPA: 3.6

Double majored in History and Art History.

Founders Day Award recipient - For academic excellence May 2005

Dean's List every semester of every year attending.

Board member on both History and Art Societies.

Studied abroad to Egypt for the summer of 2004.

Accomplishments

I have my BS in Art History and History from New York University and my Masters in Elementary Education and Special Education from Pace University. I have worked in museums, non-profit art companies, various schools educating children with special needs and as a part-time docent and sales for one of the biggest museums in Jacksonville, Florida.

I have dug in the sands of Egypt on an archaeological dig and have dug in the sands of New Jersey with students looking for fossils. I helped artists procure venues for their work to be seen in New York and helped set up art galleries for children with disabilities to show off their work to the community. I helped publish a book, Natalya Nesterova: Reflections of Time Past, by Alexandre Gertsman to showcase her work from Russia to the people in the United States and helped PS 124 students write their own books featuring their art and writing progression to the school and community. All of these accomplishments that I have been a part of has only enhanced my passion for teaching and the ability to help students who need it to excel in school.

I can be both. I can be a sit on the floor and teach an autistic child the alphabet and I can use excel to create inventory tracking spreadsheets.

Certifications

Certified in Elementary Education

Certified in Special Education

Insurance license 2013

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