Administrative & Special Education Paraprofessional

CARA THOMAS

PRINCETON TX - 430-***-**** - **************@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Highly organized administrative professional with over 18 years of experience combining classroom instruction with administrative operations across education, childcare, human resources, and customer service environments. Skilled in office management, scheduling, payroll support, onboarding, confidential records management, compliance, and process improvement while providing direct support to students, families, employees, and leadership. Recognized for professionalism, attention to detail, exceptional communication, and the ability to build trusted relationships while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.

CORE COMPETENCIES

•Administrative Support • Office Management • Operational Coordination • Calendar Management & SchedulingHuman Resources & Payroll • Employee Recruitment & Onboarding • Records & Document Management • Confidential Records ManagementClassroom Instruction & Support • Classroom Management • Educational Program Support • IEP Documentation & Progress MonitoringBehavior Intervention & Positive Behavior Support • Student, Family & Staff Relations • Customer Service & Relationship ManagementCompliance & Regulatory Standards • Microsoft Office Suite • Google Workspace • Data Entry & Database ManagementTeam Leadership & Collaboration • Process Improvement • Organization & Time Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARAPROFESSIONAL, PRINCETON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, PRINCETON TEXAS — 2024-PRESENT

•Provide instructional, behavioral, and social-emotional support to students in individual and small-group settings while fostering a safe, inclusive learning environment.

•Implement IEP accommodations, behavior intervention plans, and instructional strategies in collaboration with teachers and special education staff.

•Maintain accurate and confidential documentation, including behavior logs, attendance records, progress monitoring, and student files, ensuring compliance with district and FERPA requirements.

•Coordinate classroom operations by organizing instructional materials, preparing resources, collecting data, and supporting daily administrative tasks.

•Collaborate with teachers, therapists, administrators, and families to promote student success through effective communication and teamwork.

•Demonstrate strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills while balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced educational environment.

•Build positive relationships with students, families, and staff through professionalism, patience, and excellent customer service.

ACADEMY DIRECTOR, KIDDIE ACADEMY, MCKINNEY TEXAS — 2019-2024

•Directed daily operations of a high-volume childcare center, ensuring compliance with state licensing regulations, company policies, and safety standards.

•Led recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management for teaching and administrative staff.

•Managed enrollment, tuition billing, payroll preparation, budgeting, purchasing, and confidential student and employee records.

•Oversaw curriculum implementation, classroom quality, and licensing compliance while supporting children's educational and developmental success.

•Built strong relationships with families through exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and customer service, increasing enrollment and retention.

•Conducted center tours, coordinated marketing initiatives, and represented the organization within the community.

•Planned and facilitated licensing inspections, audits, staff meetings, training sessions, and center-wide events.

•Streamlined administrative processes, maintained organized operational systems, and ensured efficient day-to-day center operations.

HR/PAYROLL SPECIALIST, FENTON MOTOR GROUP, FRISCO TX — 2017-2019

•Managed human resources and payroll functions for multiple automotive dealerships across several states in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

•Coordinated full-cycle onboarding, including new hire paperwork, orientations, system setup, and compliance documentation.

•Processed employee personnel actions, including new hires, promotions, transfers, pay rate changes, leaves of absence, and terminations while maintaining accurate HR records.

•Supported payroll operations by reviewing timekeeping records, processing payroll changes, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring timely and accurate payroll administration.

•Assisted employees with benefits enrollment, eligibility changes, and questions regarding health, dental, vision, retirement, and other company-sponsored benefit programs.

•Maintained strict confidentiality of employee records while ensuring compliance with employment laws, company policies, and payroll procedures.

•Supported recruitment efforts through candidate communication, interview coordination, applicant tracking, and hiring logistics.

•Partnered with leadership and management to provide HR guidance, resolve employee concerns, and support daily business operations.

CALL CENTER REPRESENTATIVE, NISSAN OF MCKINNEY, MCKINNEY TEXAS — 2013-2017

•Managed high-volume inbound and outbound calls for multiple dealership locations while delivering professional, customer-focused service.

•Scheduled sales and service appointments, coordinated customer needs, and directed inquiries to the appropriate departments.

•Maintained accurate customer records, updated CRM systems, and documented interactions with a high level of detail and accuracy.

•Assisted customers with questions regarding vehicle inventory, financing, service scheduling, warranties, and dealership services.

•Conducted follow-up calls with prospective customers and missed appointments to strengthen customer engagement and support sales objectives.

•Resolved customer concerns efficiently through active listening, problem-solving, and effective communication while maintaining positive customer relationships.

LEAD INFANT TEACHER, GROOVE LEARNING CENTER, PRINCETON TEXAS 75407 — 2008-2013

•Led daily classroom operations by creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for infants.

•Planned and implemented engaging educational activities that supported cognitive, social, emotional, language, and motor skill development.

•Maintained accurate daily records, developmental observations, and classroom documentation while ensuring compliance with licensing and health regulations.

•Built strong relationships with families by providing consistent communication regarding children's progress, routines, and developmental milestones.

•Supervised and mentored assistant teachers, delegated responsibilities, and promoted effective teamwork to maintain efficient classroom operations.

•Ensured compliance with state childcare licensing requirements, safety protocols, and health standards while maintaining an organized and welcoming classroom.

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