Looking at my resume, you'll see what appears to be somewhat disparate work experiences. When I look at what I've done, though, I see more similarities than differences. Going from the classroom as a high school English teacher to the military as a Recruiter changed my clothes, but my main goal in both careers has always been putting people first. Whether the person in question is a student falling behind on their Shakespeare, or a Soldier questioning why they joined, I've always tried to step back, get an overall assessment of the situation, and work toward the best possible outcome for all concerned. Everyone needs a hand at some point, and I try to let everyone I meet know that I appreciate and value what they are as an individual, whether I can help them at that point or not. As a Recruiting and Retention NCO, every person I come into contact with, whether it be a Soldier on a range or a mother in the grocery store, saw me as a direct reflection of the military. I embrace that responsibility, and wish to move into the private sector where I can continue to serve and grow as a person. As a teacher, I was named teacher of the year and a district finalist in 2000. I became English department chair in just my third year. As a Soldier, I was part of a 6 person team who wrote and implemented a retention policy for the SC Army National Guard, a 9,000+ member organization. We were able to bring retention to the forefront of Recruiting, and our success opened the eyes of commanders across the state. I've been a successful Recruiter as well, exceeding mission requirements and being selected for additional duties yearly. I bring a tremendous work ethic to the table, and am anxious to show your company what a focus on your people can make.