James Finney
Suffolk
Summary
Motivated Team leader and professional with strong problem-solving, research, collaboration, and conflict management skills. Keen interest in constantly developing leadership abilities and supporting coworkers in their own development. Passionate about promoting lasting customer satisfaction by delivering quality service and unparalleled support. Proficient in customer service best practices and building lasting customer relationships.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Middle School Tutor
Norfolk Public Schools
11.2024 - Current
- Improved student retention by incorporating various teaching methods in tutoring sessions.
- Improved student learning outcomes through individualized lesson plans
- Cultivated an environment of mutual respect and understanding, enabling students to feel comfortable asking questions or seeking additional support when needed.
- Planned alongside homeroom teachers to identify and assist in students individual needs
Long-Term Special Education Substitute
Norfolk Public Schools
12.2023 - 11.2024
- Developed specially designed instruction tailored to the needs of each student
- Promoted social-emotional strategies to help meet the behavior goals of each student.
- Utilized assistive technology tools when appropriate to facilitate student access to curriculum materials and enhance engagement in lessons.
Substitute Teacher, K-5
Norfolk Public Schools
12.2022 - 10.2023
- Provided instruction for students in core subject areas.
- Cooperate with teachers to plan and implement lesson plans on a week-by-week basis
- Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.
- Collaborated with Title-1 teachers to engage students in team-building and social-development exercises to improve teamwork and student engagement
Editor-in-Chief
Mace & Crown (Old Dominion Student Magazine)
11.2019 - 08.2020
- Supported and encouraged editorial board to provide independent and engaging advice, opinions and perspectives to enhance publication relevancy and student interest
- Trained and mentored editors and assistant editors in building healthy relationships with writers, sources, university departments, and local businesses to facilitate creation of compelling and relevant content.
- Communicated across University departments and third party contractors to secure healthy budget funding following COVID related university spending cuts
- Collaborated with Copy Editor to develop new, efficient and productive set of editing guidelines that facilitated writer growth and knowledge of associated press writing style
Front Desk Agent
Marriot
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Used internal software to process reservations, check-ins and check-outs.
- Acquired in-depth knowledge of surrounding area to offer guests with information about dining options, entertainment and shopping activities.
- Greeted visitors and customers upon arrival, offered assistance and answered questions to build rapport and retention.
- Trained new hires in customer service and time management skills.
Copy Editor & Creative Writing Editor
Mace & Crown
11.2018 - 11.2019
- Reviewed and made final edits on all stories for quarterly magazine
- Pitched content strategies and story ideas to better engage with and inform student body
- Engaged in community building and hosted workshops within Mace & Crown publication to effectively combat writer turnover and create consistent career and training opportunities for writers and editors
- Managed a team of 15 writers producing content for print and online publication
- Collaborated with graphic designer to create compelling illustrations for poetic and creative writing submissions
- Delegated and tracked each staff member's assignments and deadlines.
- Conducted editorial meetings with 7 other editors to collaborate and review proposed publication suggestions.
- Engaged in recruiting activities and training of new writers in basics of reporting, feature story writing, and associated press style guide
Editor- Technology and Gaming
Mace & Crown
04.2018 - 11.2018
- Collaborated with communications department and public relations professors to effectively recruit writers and increase student readership.
- Trained team of 6 new writers in associated press writing style and basic interview skills.
- Maintained tight schedule and assigned stories to writers producing content for both online website and seasonal magazine
- Created and managed mailing lists and social/workshop events to foster collaboration and team spirit between writers
- Collaborated with Editor-in-chief, graphic designer, and writers to produce content relevant to interests of students on campus and local community in regards to both gaming and new medical/technological developments
Freelance Content Writer
IWriter
09.2020 - 08.2022
- Conducted extensive internet research to provide facts and statistics for articles and blogs.
- Created monthly Excel spreadsheets to manage client projects and deadlines.
- Used Microsoft Word, Google Docs and SharePoint to store and share created documents.
Staff Writer
Mace & Crown
08.2017 - 04.2018
- Early experience as a self starter, developing time-management skills and an adaptable mindset.
- Pursued and developed news articles and feature stories on wide range of topics while on assignment for online and print publication, coordinating images and layout to deliver proper presentation.
- Worked independently to pursue interesting and compelling stories across local arts and entertainment community
- Applied understanding of public opinion, social media and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories.
- Thoroughly researched and fact checked all stories to maintain journalistic integrity and engage more deeply with readers.
- Independently cultivated contacts and sources to gather more information for stories and create new story opportunities later down line.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA09.2020
Skills
- Experience in community building, developing and maintaining multiple new relationships on personal and organizational level
- Experience working as individual and team leader to meet deadlines
- Project prioritization and management experience (3 years)
- Editing copy for grammar, factual accuracy, and appeal (3 years)
- Strong interpersonal skills, written and verbal
- Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, Wix, Wordpress, Google office suite
- Management experience (3 years)
- Experience training young writers and editors in basic journalism and core writing skills (2 years)
Language and Travel
Acquired intermediate german speaking skills while living in Germany. Continued studies during college as well. Interested in further developing foreign language skills.
Timeline
Middle School Tutor
Norfolk Public Schools
11.2024 - Current
Long-Term Special Education Substitute
Norfolk Public Schools
12.2023 - 11.2024
Substitute Teacher, K-5
Norfolk Public Schools
12.2022 - 10.2023
Front Desk Agent
Marriot
08.2022 - 12.2022
Freelance Content Writer
IWriter
09.2020 - 08.2022
Editor-in-Chief
Mace & Crown (Old Dominion Student Magazine)
11.2019 - 08.2020
Copy Editor & Creative Writing Editor
Mace & Crown
11.2018 - 11.2019
Editor- Technology and Gaming
Mace & Crown
04.2018 - 11.2018
Staff Writer
Mace & Crown
08.2017 - 04.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Old Dominion University
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