My Prettiest Resume

Okay, most of us have to submit a resume at some point in our lives, even those of us who are somewhat retired.  Because I have done some freelance writing in the last year or so, I have had to update mine a couple of times.  A prospective employer who enjoys my website suggested that I post my resume for other prospective employers who just might be tuning in — and might consider me for future endeavors.  What follows is not my most recent incarnation, but it is close enough for government work — literally!  Oh, and don’t bother to call my number; I borrowed it from Buck Owens.  Hee haw!

Thomas Russell Shafer, Jr.

1156 Dorchester Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385 • (555) BR-549• shafgoes@gmail.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Have more than thirty years of experience as a teacher and writer, and possess the requisite skill-sets that accompany both professions.

• Writing: is talented at writing, editing, and emending all variety of works; is a skilled, analytical, and curious researcher; applies critical thinking skills to all tasks.
• Leadership: provides leadership in a variety of ways (transformational, facilitative, team, authoritative); exhibits excellent communication skills; sports patience and flexibility with a positive attitude; maintains self-motivation and seizes initiative.
• Management: cooperates and collaborates well with others; prizes organization and uses time efficiently and judiciously; thrives on challenging situations and hard deadlines.
• Education: possesses multi-disciplinary collegiate background, including mathematics (calculus+) and science (biology, chemistry, meteorology, physics); cherishes lifelong learning and experiences.
• Applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Google Suite (including Drive and Google Cloud Search), WordPress, UberConference, and Skype.

WORK EXPERIENCE

FREELANCE WRITER, Xenia, Ohio                                       May to July, 2017

• Grant writer for a company applying for a medical marijuana cultivation license in Ohio. Involved navigation of state and local regulations; researching business/financial models and security plans and tools; writing the business plan, the security plan, and the financial plan; and editing and proofreading the final product before submission.

FREELANCE WRITER, for West Carrollton City Schools, West Carrollton, Ohio                                                                                                            1988 to 2014

• Writing/proofreading skills utilized in a variety of ways: grant writing for the district and high school (win rate of 84%); proofreading applications for regional accreditation (North Central Association of Colleges and School, now AdvancED); and writing, editing, and proofreading numerous documents and newsletters for high school and board of education offices.

TEACHER, WEST CARROLLTON CITY SCHOOLS, West Carrollton,  Ohio                                                                                                                      1984 to 2014

• Taught students a variety of valuable skills: writing for a targeted audience, including analysis, persuasion, exposition, narration, and description; methodical reading and critical thinking; efficient and discriminatory researching; proper use of grammatical conventions and language constructions; oration and presentation; and personal responsibility and accountability.
• Courses taught: American Literature (honors and regular sections), Research and Exposition (honors and regular sections), AP Literature and Composition, AP Language and Composition, Classic Literature, English 9, and English 10. Also taught two separate quarters of Honors Psychology (emergency substitute).
• Co-wrote a grammar workbook for seventh and eighth grade students that was published and used in district for several years.
• Developer and presenter of a leadership seminar (Nobody is a Born Leader) for southwest Ohio middle school/high school students and their teachers.

EDUCATION AND ADDITIONAL TRAINING

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY, Dayton, Ohio

• Master of Education, Educational Leadership – Teacher Leader (2007)

Program reinforced skills and strategies necessary for effective teaching and strengthened and honed instructional leadership capabilities. Thesis explored varied forms of praise and their effect on academic achievement.

• Bachelor of Science, English Education (1984)

Rigorous preparation in the dual worlds of academia (exploration, evaluation, and analysis of worldwide literature) and pedagogical studies (classroom management, teaching strategies, effective communication, curriculum planning).

ADDITIONAL EDIFICATION

• Trainer and presenter of the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents, a program that identifies skills, behaviors, and experiences that empower young people to mature into productive, successful adults.
• Attended numerous educational seminars (year-round schools, alternative schools, peer mediation, advanced placement programing, school testing), all for the purpose of improving operations to provide our students the best scholastic experiences in an ever-changing global economy.
• Memberships included National Education Association (NEA) and West Carrollton Education Association (WCEA), organizations dedicated to uniting members and fulfilling the promise to prepare our students for life in a diverse world. Additional memberships included National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and AP English Teacher Community, groups committed to pedagogical collaboration and development.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Managed and assisted a number of co-curricular and extra-curricular programs that enriched student, faculty, and community life.  Organized special interest groups, coordinated schedules and personnel, prepared and delivered presentations on a variety of topics, taught specialized skills and the value of hard work, and advocated consistently for students, faculty, and community.

• Chair/liaison to these WC district committees: West Carrollton Education Association (WCEA) Executive Committee, West Carrollton Education Foundation (WCEF), Athletic Board of Control, Faculty Steering Committee, Health Care Committee, Calendar Committee, AfterProm Committee.
• Head coach West Carrollton high school girls’ softball (1995-2004), WC boys’ golf (1998-2000), and WC junior high track (1984-1986). Assistant coach WC girls’ softball (1991-94) and WC boys’ track (1987-89).
• Head advisor/coordinator to these WC student-centered extracurricular activities: SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), NHS (National Honor Society), Intramurals, C-TEAM (WC’s peer mediation program), the Writing Club, and the Fishing and Hiking Club.

HONORS

• Significant Teacher Award (WC Education Recognition Association), consecutively 1987 to 2014
• Dickinson T. Guiler Fellow, 2002 (inaugural class, WCEF Fellowship of Teachers – WC’s teacher hall of fame)
• Alliance for Education, Excellence in Teaching Recipient, 1996 (Dayton Foundation Award)

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