Lana Larson
Coronach,Canada
Summary
Friendly and energetic educator with 12 years in early childhood programming. Motivated to help children develop social, academic and creative abilities to foster well-being and progress. Well-versed in developmental milestones and activities to promote curiosity and engagement.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Home Visitor
SIGN -KidsFirst
Yorkton, SK, Canada
08.2012 - 08.2024
- Initiated outreach efforts to engage new families into the program
- Engaged families in goal setting and progress tracking towards meeting those goals
- Developed individualized family plans based on family strengths, needs, and goals
- Demonstrated strong communication skills both verbally and in writing when working with clients and colleagues
- Facilitated child development activities during home visits
- Assisted parents in developing parenting skills and strategies for addressing challenging behaviors
- Ensured that all services were provided in a culturally competent manner
- Provided home visits to families in order to assess their needs and provide support services
- Attended trainings related to best practices for working with children and families
- Provided case management services including referrals to appropriate agencies as needed
- Supported children with special needs, creating customized learning strategies to accommodate various abilities.
- Maintained and fostered positive and constructive interactions with staff, families, and children.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
- Established ongoing professional development goals, participating in workshops and conferences to stay current on emerging trends in early childhood education.
- Enhanced sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory development, by employing both traditional and modern educational strategies and techniques.
- Encouraged children's independence and self-help skills through daily routines and activities.
- Planned and executed activities to stimulate physical, social and intellectual growth.
Operations Manager of Saskatchewan
Skeena Financial
Yorkton, SK, Canada
11.2007 - 06.2012
- Directed daily branch operations, leading the team to exceed monthly sales goals
- Oversaw daily operations including cash management, opening and closing procedures, account maintenance
- Maintained high level of employee morale to minimize turnover and maximize customer satisfaction
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Financial Administration
- Business Administration
- Budget Creation
- Employee Scheduling
- Customer Relations
General Manager
Comfort Inn
Yorkton, SK, Canada
10.2001 - 09.2006
- Managed day-to-day communication between the Hotel and head office
- Prepared monthly reports outlining Hotel performance metrics such as sales volume, profitability, customer satisfaction scores
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve customer service levels, resulting in increased customer loyalty
- Hired and trained new employees, demonstrating best methods for serving clients and guests.
- Regularly analyzed guest feedback data to identify and address areas where improvements could be made, resulting in consistently high customer satisfaction ratings.
- Handled guest complaints and offered complimentary services to maintain high guest satisfaction rates.
- Conducted regular staff performance evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and providing constructive feedback.
- Established a positive work culture that promoted teamwork, collaboration, and employee morale.
- Increased guest satisfaction by implementing innovative customer service initiatives and staff training programs.
- Implemented revenue management strategies to maximize room rates, occupancy levels, and overall profitability.
- Monitored safety procedures to ensure a secure environment for both guests and employees.
- Booked large groups for weddings, seminars, conferences, and other events, providing best available room rates.
- Developed strong partnerships with local businesses to create exclusive offers and packages for hotel guests.
- Reduced operating expenses by negotiating with vendors and optimizing resource management.
Restaurant General Manager
Bonanza Steakhouse
Yorkton, SK, Canada
01.1998 - 09.2001
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks while remaining adaptable and flexible
- Responded quickly to meet customer needs and resolve problems
- Committed to delivering excellent customer service while working in a fast-paced environment
- Provided efficient and courteous service to customers at all times
- Developed departmental objectives, budgets, policies, procedures, and strategies
- Carefully interviewed, selected, trained, and supervised staff.
- Met, greeted, and encouraged feedback from customers and used feedback to implement positive changes within restaurant.
- Reconciled cash and credit card transactions to maintain accurate records.
- Correctly calculated inventory and ordered appropriate supplies.
- Promoted positive atmosphere and went above and beyond to guarantee each customer received exceptional food and service.
- Tracked daily sales transactions and invoices for accurate and updated financial reporting.
- Optimized labor costs by closely monitoring schedules, adjusting staffing levels according to business needs, and employing cross-training strategies.
- Promoted a positive work environment with proactive conflict resolution strategies and team-building activities.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement while recognizing outstanding achievements as well.
- Effectively managed payroll and timekeeping, and paperwork for new hires and terminations.
- Ensured compliance with local health department regulations through regular staff training sessions and facility inspections.
- Oversaw inventory management processes to minimize waste and maintain optimal stock levels for seamless operation.
Education
Early Childhood Education -
Stratford Career Institute
Stratford, ONGKI Certified Facilitator - Early Childhood Intervention
Growing Great Kids International
Regina, SK04.2013
Bachelor Of Social Work -
Suncrest College
Yorkton, SK05.2012
Business management - Hospitality And Tourism
Parkland College
Yorkton, SK06.2000
Graduated Grade 12 -
Yorkton Regional High School
Yorkton, SK06.1998
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Organizational Skills
- Adaptability
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Marketing Management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Decision Making
- Strategic Planning
- Conflict Resolution
- Risk Management
- Human Resources Management
- Time Management
- Sales Strategy
- Customer Retention
- Customer Service
- Client Relationship Management
- Staff Training
- Loss Prevention
- Staff Management
- Recruiting and Hiring
- Behavioral modeling
- Social-emotional learning
- Child's CPR certified
- Language development
- Child assessment
- Curriculum Development
Volunteer Experience
Treasurer, Columbia School SCC, Yorkton, SK, 06/01/20, 01/31/24, Prepare and file annual tax returns or prepare financial information so that outside accountants can complete tax returns., Delegate authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking, protection, and custody of funds, securities, and financial instruments., Receive, record, and authorize requests for disbursements in accordance with company policies and procedures., Receive cash and checks and make deposits., Perform tax planning work.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Accomplishments
-2013 Co-Authored the children’s learning activities for the children’s book “My Curious Brain”
-2015 Presented the book “My Curious Brain” at the Prevention Institute conference
-2015 completed Tier 3 certification with Growing Great Kids Inc.
-2013-2024 Developed and facilitated curriculum on Shaken Baby Syndrome and taught at the St.John’s babysitting course
-2020-2024 sat on the Saskatchewan Integrated Family Support Planning committee with the Ministry of Education
-Certified to administer Ages and Stages Questionnaires
Certification
-2022 First Aid/CPR (including infant and children)
-2023 Safe Food Handling certified
-2015 Tier 3 certified instructor and facilitator for Growing Great Kids Inc.
-2020 certified instructor for National Centre of Shaken Baby Syndrome
References
Brent McKee
KidsFirst Mental Health Manager
3063161671
Brent.McKee@saskhealthauthority.ca
Shirley Forster
KidsFirst Administrator (ret.)
3066219144
shirley6foster@gmail.com
Antonia Schleicher
University of Saskatchewan
Character Reference
3064918745
Timeline
Home Visitor
SIGN -KidsFirst
08.2012 - 08.2024
Operations Manager of Saskatchewan
Skeena Financial
11.2007 - 06.2012
General Manager
Comfort Inn
10.2001 - 09.2006
Restaurant General Manager
Bonanza Steakhouse
01.1998 - 09.2001
Early Childhood Education -
Stratford Career Institute
GKI Certified Facilitator - Early Childhood Intervention
Growing Great Kids International
Bachelor Of Social Work -
Suncrest College
Business management - Hospitality And Tourism
Parkland College
Graduated Grade 12 -
Yorkton Regional High School