Teresa's Portfolio of Projects - a few of the many! :-)
Community and Support for Expectant & New Parents at A Mother's Haven
A Mother's Haven is a boutique & educational center that provides information and connection for expectant & new parents through essential products, interactive classes, and support groups, serving over 2500 families every year in the San Fernando Valley / Los Angeles area. The store and classrooms are a safe & nurturing 'haven' for new moms to share their joys and concerns as they learn & discover who they are as a parent.
In less than three years, Teresa led a team of full-time & part-time staff and instructors to increase revenues over 50% mainly through extending the class programming on the educational center side of the business. As the owner and director of A Mother's Haven, Teresa managed everything from high-level strategic vision to day-to-day relationships with new moms & babies. She set up new procedures & expectations for employees, developed partnerships with local resources, and created marketing and PR campaigns to attract and retain customers. Teresa also oversaw the business budgets & finances, organized special events and charity drives, and taught several classes herself, including sign language for babies and tiny dancer.
One specific project that Teresa organized was the 10th Anniversary Summer Faire, where she motivated and managed over 35 sponsors, thirteen instructors, and nine on-site activity providers to create a fun-filled weekend of free classes, crafts & face-painting, and goody bags for over 200 families.
A Mother's Haven is a boutique & educational center that provides information and connection for expectant & new parents through essential products, interactive classes, and support groups, serving over 2500 families every year in the San Fernando Valley / Los Angeles area. The store and classrooms are a safe & nurturing 'haven' for new moms to share their joys and concerns as they learn & discover who they are as a parent.
In less than three years, Teresa led a team of full-time & part-time staff and instructors to increase revenues over 50% mainly through extending the class programming on the educational center side of the business. As the owner and director of A Mother's Haven, Teresa managed everything from high-level strategic vision to day-to-day relationships with new moms & babies. She set up new procedures & expectations for employees, developed partnerships with local resources, and created marketing and PR campaigns to attract and retain customers. Teresa also oversaw the business budgets & finances, organized special events and charity drives, and taught several classes herself, including sign language for babies and tiny dancer.
One specific project that Teresa organized was the 10th Anniversary Summer Faire, where she motivated and managed over 35 sponsors, thirteen instructors, and nine on-site activity providers to create a fun-filled weekend of free classes, crafts & face-painting, and goody bags for over 200 families.
Inquiry-Based Projects & Compassionate Communication at Innovations Academy
Innovations Academy is founded on project-based learning, allowing the students to explore real-world applications and do research on the topics that they want to learn about. Innovations also has a strong socio-emotional curriculum, using positive discipline and compassionate communication. The school strives to provide a comfortable place where children feel welcome and free to explore, create, and learn.
As "third-in-command" under the two co-founders, Teresa was a key contributor to getting Innovations off the ground as a new charter elementary school in San Diego. Prior to the school opening, she assisted with teacher recruitment, curriculum development, and refinement of the school's educational philosophy. Once open, Teresa was first on campus every morning. She handled all of the administrative tasks for student enrollment, attendance, and applications, and was the main point of contact for parents. Teresa helped with creating school policies and communications with families, and coordinated with the facilities management for school events. She also gave tours of the school, explaining the benefits of self-directed learning, the 'no-homework' approach, and multi-age groupings.
Innovations Academy is founded on project-based learning, allowing the students to explore real-world applications and do research on the topics that they want to learn about. Innovations also has a strong socio-emotional curriculum, using positive discipline and compassionate communication. The school strives to provide a comfortable place where children feel welcome and free to explore, create, and learn.
As "third-in-command" under the two co-founders, Teresa was a key contributor to getting Innovations off the ground as a new charter elementary school in San Diego. Prior to the school opening, she assisted with teacher recruitment, curriculum development, and refinement of the school's educational philosophy. Once open, Teresa was first on campus every morning. She handled all of the administrative tasks for student enrollment, attendance, and applications, and was the main point of contact for parents. Teresa helped with creating school policies and communications with families, and coordinated with the facilities management for school events. She also gave tours of the school, explaining the benefits of self-directed learning, the 'no-homework' approach, and multi-age groupings.
Family-Friendly Collaborative Hands-On Learning at Los Angeles Makerspace
LA Makerspace provides a place where kids can create and learn alongside adults through interactive lessons, ongoing interest-based clubs, and help with personal projects. The age-agnostic innovation hub offers affordable single classes, multi-day workshops, access to equipment, and member work space, where makers, young & old, can learn robotics, electronics, programming, fabric arts, crafts, filmmaking, citizen science, etc.
As a volunteer, Board Member, and "Captain Enthusiastic", Teresa helped to launch LA Makerspace, a family-friendly hackerspace in Downtown Los Angeles. She assisted with business planning & budgeting, as well as running registration and customer service at multiple pop-up events including a kids hackathon for ages four through eighteen. Teresa co-led the successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to open LA Makerspace's first long-term location, gathering the community's support through in-person meetings, social media, and direct emailing. Ongoing, Teresa organizes bi-monthly events, including game nights, movie nights, and other community connecting get-togethers for all ages - infant through adult!
LA Makerspace provides a place where kids can create and learn alongside adults through interactive lessons, ongoing interest-based clubs, and help with personal projects. The age-agnostic innovation hub offers affordable single classes, multi-day workshops, access to equipment, and member work space, where makers, young & old, can learn robotics, electronics, programming, fabric arts, crafts, filmmaking, citizen science, etc.
As a volunteer, Board Member, and "Captain Enthusiastic", Teresa helped to launch LA Makerspace, a family-friendly hackerspace in Downtown Los Angeles. She assisted with business planning & budgeting, as well as running registration and customer service at multiple pop-up events including a kids hackathon for ages four through eighteen. Teresa co-led the successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to open LA Makerspace's first long-term location, gathering the community's support through in-person meetings, social media, and direct emailing. Ongoing, Teresa organizes bi-monthly events, including game nights, movie nights, and other community connecting get-togethers for all ages - infant through adult!