Amber Dawn Celestine
Richmond
Summary
A non-commissioned officer in the US Marine Corps with over a decade of experience in developing and supervising environmental and horticultural programs. Demonstrated leadership skills. A creative and bilingual Spanish/English educator with a focus on initiating, maintaining, and expanding environmental projects. Extensive experience in designing, constructing, and overseeing gardens, as well as implementing programs in horticultural spaces.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Garden Program Manager and Educator
ReNew Schools Charter
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Company Overview: The Garden Arts Program at Dolores T Aaron Academy is an outdoor education program in an urban PK–8 charter school
- Built strong relationships with stakeholders for collaborative project success.
- The program engaged 500 students and 25 adults annually with hands-on, nature-based activities on a half-acre garden and orchard
- Solely responsible for the creation and development of the program, including garden design, build-out, and curriculum from its onset
- Worked closely with students, staff, and volunteers to create and maintain an outdoor interactive classroom, animal habitats, garden, and orchard
- Trained and supervised supplemental garden staff
- Supervised and executed children’s educational program
- Supervised the grant writer through various grants and awards
- Successfully maintained the annual budget
- Tracked students' progress using an online data system
- Partnered with organizations, such as LSU Master Gardeners, AmeriCorps, and Tulane University, to expand educational opportunities for students and involve the local community of volunteers
- Implemented and directed monthly adult gardening workshops
- The Garden Arts Program at Dolores T Aaron Academy is an outdoor education program in an urban PK–8 charter school
- The program engages 500 students and 25 adults annually with hands-on, nature-based activities on a half-acre garden and orchard
Founder and Mentor Farmer
Grow Your Own LLC
01.2011 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: Grow Your Own was a ½ acre mentor and market farm of culinary and medicinal herbs, cut flowers, and seasonal fruits and vegetables at Hollygrove Market and Farm
- Designed and built small farm and local food program site to educate adult volunteers and apprentices in sustainable urban farming and gardening practices
- Trained and supervised eight year-long apprenticeships and an average of 30 dedicated volunteers annually
- Sold produce, herbs, and cut flowers to local markets and restaurants
- Coordinated with local universities and non-profit organizations to plan volunteer days
- Curated potential donors and collaborators and guided tours of the grounds and operations for same
- Grow Your Own was a ½ acre mentor and market farm of culinary and medicinal herbs, cut flowers, and seasonal fruits and vegetables
- Built a positive organizational culture that fostered creativity, innovation, and volunteer engagement.
Crew Leader
Alliance for Affordable Energy
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Company Overview: Louisiana Green Corps Workforce Training Program
- Supervised crews of up to 10 at-risk youth aged 17-24 in 14-week cycles of a service learning program
- Focused on green building and energy efficiency in low-income communities
- Louisiana Green Corps Workforce Training Program
- Maintained a safe working environment by enforcing strict adherence to safety guidelines and promptly addressing potential hazards.
- Trained employees in time management and proper ways to complete job duties.
- Served as the primary point of contact between crew members and upper management, relaying important information as necessary.
Active-Duty Military
United States Marine Corps
01.1993 - 01.1997
- Corporal of the Guard: armory and munitions security, Camp Pendleton Air Station
- Responsible for safe delivery of munitions to aircraft flight line
- Drove HMMWV and 5-ton trucks towing munition trailer
- Received Navy Achievement Medal for Heroic Action
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
Education
Master of Science - School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA01.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA01.2002
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Project management
- Detail-oriented
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership and direction
- Project coordination
Certification
Louisiana Landscape and Horticultural License, 01/01/12
Community Service
New Orleans Master Gardener, New Orleans, LA, 01/01/11, 12/31/18, Vice president of the board of directors, Service hours: 245, Volunteer coordinator for the Spring and Fall Garden shows at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens, Organized the Urban Farm symposium, a four-day workshop series
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Garden Program Manager and Educator
ReNew Schools Charter
01.2016 - 01.2022
Founder and Mentor Farmer
Grow Your Own LLC
01.2011 - 01.2017
Crew Leader
Alliance for Affordable Energy
01.2009 - 01.2011
Active-Duty Military
United States Marine Corps
01.1993 - 01.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of California
Louisiana Landscape and Horticultural License, 01/01/12
Master of Science - School of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Louisiana State University
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