Tara W. Email & Phone Number

As a Customized Groups Program Coordinator at Kaya Responsible Travel, I work as part of the Groups Team in developing socially conscious educational faculty-led and group programs in 28 countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

• Oversee daily operations of Vacation Rental Property and plan custom vacations for groups of 5 to 15 clients in top tourist destination:Property Manager:
• Manage 5-person Spanish-speaking team and monthly recurring contract workers
• Completed staff scheduling, payroll, hiring, & training
• Design and develop digital copy for vacation rental websites (Wix, Airbnb and VRBO) and social media (Facebook, Instagram)
• Manage bookings, rental calendars / rates and create guest invoices
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to appropriately adjust property rental rates & services offered

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

• Act as liaison between foreign interns, local directors and teachers to ensure smooth & successful operation of the English program in 4 primary schools:
• Supervise 3 biannual teacher interns, provide support as local resource and maintain constant communication to ensure participant and program success
• Lead team building excursions in the region to explore local culture & foster positive work environment
• Assist Program Director in TEFL teacher training adhering to Mexican PNIEB Curriculum by overseeing lesson planning sessions and conducting in-classroom evaluations of intern progress
• Administer school & library material donation campaigns & distribution, organize intern lodging & attend school cultural events
• Host 9 college students for a two-week intensive TEFL teacher training in 3 preschools in Isla Mujeres (assist in pre-arrival communication and coordination, daily onsite training and evaluations, liaison between.

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

• Recruit TEFL teacher interns and program volunteer participants:
• Create marketing copy (newsletters, social media advertisements, informational packets) to recruit TEFL program participants and biannual interns
• Manage VolunQuest social media (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter) to recruit candidates and maintain local & tourist community informed of English program progress
• Conduct applicant interviews and select interns to hire
• Create pre-departure travel packets, verify travel documentation & flights, conduct background checks, prepare candidate to volunteer in Mexico & oversee orientation upon arrival
• Organize, promote and sell excursions for VolunQuest's sister agency Quest Tours to a colonial city & archaeological zone to raise funds for English program

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

• Teach English as a foreign language to 400+ students in a primary school (1st - 6th), approximately 35 students per class:
• Collaborate on lesson plans and material creation to advance students’ English proficiency using the Mexican PNEIB curriculum (12 new lessons created per week, 24 classes taught per week)
• Initiate engagement by incorporating relative student / regional topics and adapt in-classroom as needed
• Apply positive and inclusive classroom management strategies to foster respectful relationships between students
• Oversee library reader volunteer program to build relationship between tourists & locals
• Supervise & support program participants to facilitate their experience abroad

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, English: Applied Linguistics (Tesol) & Spanish

Activities and Societies: WSU Women's Club Volleyball Team, Amnesty Club International & Delta Phi Epsilon SororityTravel Study: The Road.

Study Abroad (18 Credit Hrs), Spanish Language And Literature

-Five-month study abroad experience in Heredia, Costa Rica through SOL Education Abroad (Winter Break + Spring Semester session) -Enhanced.