Alana Holder-Findley
Summary
Strategic and visionary leader with a strong foundation in psychology, education, and career development, complemented by a proven track record of high productivity, efficiency, and organizational leadership. Possesses specialized expertise in counselling, vocational assessment, and the design and implementation of career education programs, with a demonstrated ability to align these with institutional goals and industry needs. Excels in empathetic leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving, ensuring responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking guidance for students, staff, and stakeholders.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Guidance Officer II Assigned as Site Coordinator
Department of Education, Research and Technology
01.2023 - Current
- Instructional leader for the school by ensuring classrooms are student friendly
- Ensure that all teachers and technical vocational programs have an updated and relevant curriculum which prepares students for skill assessment and viable careers in auto mechanics, welding, carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrical installation.
- Lead the school and teachers to make effective use of community resources including individual, businesses, government agencies and educational institutions
- Involve the faculty in hiring and filling vacancies
- Participates and encourages faculty to participate in professional development activities designed to improve teacher performance and instruction.
- Guide teachers to integrate student organization leadership and subject matter skills into instruction to increase student learning
- Encourage all teachers to be a part of the educational team and be involved in all aspects of the school operations and activities
Guidance Officer II (school counselling)
Department of Education, Research and Technology
04.2004 - 09.2023
- Coordinate and Supervise the Guidance Unit comprising of sixteen officers/ school counsellors
- Conduct orientation training for new recruit of school counsellors
- Receive and utilize analytical data for structuring career guidance programs for students between the ages of 5 to 19 years.
- Supervise and coordinate the maintenance of the Student Cumulative Record Card system to monitor students’ progress and academic challenges
- Maintain liaison with governmental and other agencies on matters relating to resources for student enhancement initiatives.
- Conduct meetings with school administrators and parents regarding personal, social, career and academic issues affecting students’ development
- Prepare budget estimates for unit programs and special projects to enhance student’s performance at school
- Prepare and evaluate performance appraisals for junior counsellors
Part-time Lecturer (Psychology)
University of the Southern Caribbean
09.2008 - 06.2020
- Deliver instruction to undergraduate students in courses related to psychology
- Prepare deliver and mark course work, assignments, project work and examinations
- Provide tutorial
- Supervise students’ research projects
- Conduct individual career guidance sessions with students
- Develop and update course materials and syllabi
- Engage in professional development activities
- Attend faculty meetings and contribute to academic committees
Part-time Lecturer (Psychology)
College of Science technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago
09.2002 - 07.2007
- Prepare and deliver lecturers on various psychology topics
- Design and administer exams, assignments, and other assessments
- Participate in curriculum and program review
- Develop schemes of learning and work materials in line with aims, objectives and modes of assessments
- Attend faculty meetings
Part-time Lecturer (Psychology)
University of the West Indies
09.2002 - 07.2006
- Prepare and deliver lecturers on various psychology topics
- Design and administer exams, assignments, and other assessments
- Participate in curriculum and program review
- Develop schemes of learning and work materials in line with aims, objectives and modes of assessments
- Attend faculty meetings
Guidance Officer I School counsellor
Department of Education Research and Technology
09.2001 - 01.2004
- Plan and execute Guidance and Counselling programs at schools for students between the ages of 5 to 19 years
- Conduct Parent meetings on issues related to personal, Social, career and academic development of students
- Assist with transfer and orientation of students at Secondary schools
- Conduct individual career and academic advisement counseling sessions with individual students or group of students by class
- Proactively respond to the personal, social and academic needs of students on a daily basis
Project Assistant
Health and Social Services
05.2000 - 09.2001
- Provide secretarial and administrative support to Project Officer, including diary keeping, minutes taking, letter drafting, processing of invoices and forms management of expenses and related tasks
- Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program
Tutor Adult Education
Education, Youth Affairs and Sport
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Plan prepare and deliver lessons to class
- Involve adult learners in the planning and implementing of their learning activities
- Create a climate that encourages and supports leaning
- Foster a spirit of collaboration in the classroom setting
- Develop a rapport with members of the class to meet the needs of each student
- Foster critically reflective thinking
- Assess and record students’ progress through coursework and examination
Receptionist
Kariwak Village Hotel
08.1994 - 08.1995
- Welcome and check-in guests
- Address guests inquiries, requests and concerns
- Provide information about hotel services, amenities and local attractions
- Coordinate with other hotel departments to fulfill guests needs and requests
- Manage reservations, cancellations and room assignments
- Answer and forward phone calls
- Process payments, handle cash and maintain accurate records
- Use hotel management software for check-ins, check-outs and guest information
Assistant Accounts Clerk
Department of Infrastructure and Public Utilities
01.1994 - 07.1994
- Maintained compliance with all established guidelines and legal requirements.
- Reconciled system accounts against bank statements.
- Received and entered vendor bills, printed checks and set up electronic debits.
Education
Diploma - Human Resource Management
School of Practical Accounting
05.2021
MA - Educational Psychology
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan06.2009
BSc - Behavioural Sciences, Psychology and Sociology
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, Michigan06.2001
Skills
- Executive Leadership and Visionary Thinking
- Faculty Leadership and Staff Development
- Student-Centered Learning Approaches
- Strategic Planning & Institutional Development
Languages
English
French B1
Affiliations
- Director Chairman of the Academic and Quality Committee Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute 6/2024 – Current
- Secretary Tobago Methodist School, Board 9/2023 – Current
- Serenity Angels Orchestra Youth Advisor 4/2016 – 8/2020
- Inter-ministerial Committee Member Ministry Of National Security Mentorship Program 3/2012 – 5/2014
- Life skills Committee Member Ministry Of Tertiary Education 2/2015 – 6/2016
- Caribbean Psychology Association Member 2009
- Youth facilitator Bon accord Methodist Church 1/2007 – 12/22
- Member Behavioural Sciences Club 4/1998 - 6/2001
- Member Roxborough Heritage Festival 5/1992 – 8/1997
Training
- Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business Train the Trainer 2020
- University of Trinidad and Tobago Team Management and Leadership skills 2017
- Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business Administrative Management 2017
- Crace Talma and Associates Project Management 2015
- University of the Southern Caribbean Play Therapy 2014
- The Centre of Human Development Post Graduate Training Institute Understanding Trauma for children and Adolescence 2014
- The dispute resolution centre Managing Toxic People in the workplace 2011
- Pacific Luthern University Social Work 2010
- University of the West Indies Enhancing Critical Thinking 2010
- The University of Trinidad and Tobago Supervisory Management 2008
- Petrotrin EAP Services Building Emotional and Social intelligence in the work place 2008
- Rape Crisis Society Counseling the Victim 2007
- Institute for Dispute Resolution Mediation skills 2006
- The University of the West Indies Caribbean Institute on Alcoholism Fundamentals of Addition 2006
- The University of the West Indies Caribbean Institute on Alcoholism Alcohol, Drugs and Violence 2005
- Florida State University School of Social work Conflict Resolution 2002
Timeline
Guidance Officer II Assigned as Site Coordinator
Department of Education, Research and Technology
01.2023 - Current
Part-time Lecturer (Psychology)
University of the Southern Caribbean
09.2008 - 06.2020
Guidance Officer II (school counselling)
Department of Education, Research and Technology
04.2004 - 09.2023
Part-time Lecturer (Psychology)
College of Science technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago
09.2002 - 07.2007
Part-time Lecturer (Psychology)
University of the West Indies
09.2002 - 07.2006
Guidance Officer I School counsellor
Department of Education Research and Technology
09.2001 - 01.2004
Project Assistant
Health and Social Services
05.2000 - 09.2001
Tutor Adult Education
Education, Youth Affairs and Sport
01.1996 - 01.1998
Receptionist
Kariwak Village Hotel
08.1994 - 08.1995
Assistant Accounts Clerk
Department of Infrastructure and Public Utilities
01.1994 - 07.1994
MA - Educational Psychology
Andrews University
BSc - Behavioural Sciences, Psychology and Sociology
Andrews University
Diploma - Human Resource Management
School of Practical Accounting
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