Tara W. Email & Phone Number

Mexico

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•Increased rental occupancy level by 30% through outstanding guest relations and maintaining online presence•Co-organized, advertised & hosted three, one week-long vacation raffle packages for groups of 4-8 people totaling $25k+ usd in ticket salesConcierge / Trip Planning: •Assist customers with pre-departure travel planning, provide 24/7 support during vacation (medical incidents, translating, requests, cancellations, concerns, unforeseen travel issues) and post-stay for client retention•Earned 62 five-star guest reviews by providing excellent, consistent customer service & promptly responding to guests daily via phone, email, text and social media•Anticipate and cater to unique client needs (weddings, anniversaries, reservations, grocery shopping, birthday celebrations, bachelor / bachelorette parties) •Collaborate with local businesses to sell and book local services for clients to enhance their vacation experience (airport transportation, golf cart rentals, food & culture tours, meal services and tours/excursions: snorkeling, scuba, boating, fishing, whale shark tours, cenotes & ruins) •Maintain current knowledge of destination information (Cancun airport, ferry schedules and fares, Covid travel regulations, weather, visas, and local laws)

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 preschools and program participants)

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•Participate in regional celebrations to learn local culture & empathize with students

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.