None traditional. Internet friendly.

Résumé

The neurodivergent in me wouldn’t rest if I didn’t give you the background of this work history. Entonces, por ahí vamos. And, oh! Una cosita pequeña. One small thing. I will not be getting specific in this AOL messenger – employer names will be generalized. ¡Listo!

I’m in 8th or 9th grade and all students are slotted to participate in the Explore Test: an assessment that asks students a series of multiple choice questions about their interests, as well as their learning and subject specific (math & science) strengths and weaknesses. According to our teachers, the objective of this assessment was to help us identify and match to career pathways that would either be of interest to us or that we would be successful in (based on the results generated from our answer choices).

“Did you just choose anything?!”

My teacher’s question after looking at my results and semi-comparing the graphics to those of my classmates – a very marking moment by the way.

Our results were displayed on an infographic wheel similar to a pie chart. Each slice of the chart was dedicated to a professional or technical work industry, and included examples of the types of opportunities found in those specific industries. There were a plethora of options presented to us: education, legal, healthcare, construction, food preparation, social science, transportation, sales, design, engineering, sanitation, theater performance, you name it. In this particular class, each of my classmates had a singular section or an analogous pair highlighted on their results. Like…all of them.

My chart? 

Singular slice highlighted. Where? Analogous pair highlighted. Where? Oh, my chart was highlighted in four different areas. The kicker? None of the career pathways were related….at all. Ni un poquito.

As I began to draft out this résumé and reflect on my work history, this memory sort of “unlocked” itself. Y, no sé. Based on my work experiences, there could have been some accuracy to those assessment results.

From the top!

I’ve got a story to tell.

Empecemos.

Introduction

Summary

Enthusiastic and tech savvy bilingual professional with a unique combined background in telecommunications, retail management, sales, 16+ years of documented successful student growth in private and public education, and 5+ years of small business management. Experienced in client satisfaction; effective written and oral communication; designing and executing strategic plans based on data collection and analysis; and efficient individual and collaborative project management. Highly skilled in the professional use of interpreting and translating (written and oral communication) in English and Spanish.

Highlights

Projects & Accomplishments

Website design for spanglish language solutions, LLC | Winter 2020 - Present

Designed, developed, and keeps current the website SpanglishLS.com for the business Spanglish Language Solutions, LLC. This 45+ page website is used to impart Spanish lessons to adult beginners through 1-on-1 and small group learning and tutoring sessions.

Website design for Monisha Acosta Murillo | Summer 2026 - Present

Designed, developed, and keeps current the approximately 6-page website MonishaAcosta.com. This website is used to host the creative thoughts and expressions of Monisha Acosta Murillo.

Skills & Competencies

Communication Skills

oral communication, written communication, public speaking, presentation delivery, interpersonal communication, active listening, rapport-building, Spanish-English interpretation, Spanish-English translation

Analytical Skills

data mining & collection, data analysis & interpretation, troubleshooting, detailed reporting, research, problem-solving, organization, creative thinking, innovative thinking, critical thinking

Management Skills

people management, time management, project management, risk management, financial management, diversity and inclusion management, conflict resolution, action planning, logistics execution

Leadership Skills

accountability, empathy, results-driven, motivation, collaboration, providing feedback, delegation, coaching, decision making, negotiation, influencing, flexibility

Technical Skills

database management, data entry, typing, graphics, presentation creation

Language Skills

Spanish, English

Work History

Grocery Retail Chain | Feb 2009 - Dec 2013

Cashier, Front End Manager

Cashier | Feb 2009 – May 2012

  • Processed cash, check, and electronic payment transactions averaging $6,000+ per shift; wrote and assisted in redemption of product rainchecks; and upheld store and government regulations for alcohol and tobacco sales
  • Provided exceptional customer service to 50+ customers per shift and successfully enrolled at least 15 customers per month in the store customer reward program
  • Fulfilled a variety of responsibilities such as ensuring register cleanliness; efficiently servicing customers at check-out; restocking front-end candy, gadgets, and magazines; and refreshing knowledge of store promotions and product location

Front End Manager | May 2012 – Dec 2013

  • Promoted to Front End Manager and supervised the operation of 5 register aisles and 4 self-checkout lanes with a team of 6-10 cashiers and 1-2 shopping cart retrievers per shift
  • Verified front-end staff shift schedules; and submitted accurate armored truck deposits and audit reports for the reconciliation of all payment methods (such as cash, check, food benefit cards, debit cards, and credit cards) and customer service transactions for Western Union, money order, utility bill payments, and lottery tickets
  • Amplified positive customer interactions by warmly greeting customers, resolving customer complaints, assisting customers with product location, sharing store promotions, and maintaining an organized and hazard free front-of-store and product display area

In order to get a half-day schedule in high school, students had to be enrolled in a specific class. One of the requirements for being accepted into this class was that students had to have a job prior to the start of the school year. So, that’s how I ended up here…or shall I say, “began.” 

Three takeaways from this chapter: 

  1. I was the cashier with the fastest scan time, least amount of voids, and most accurate till. I was usually tardy for work and coming back from lunch, but I got the most Guest Services compliments on my product knowledge and customer service.
  2. Even though I had a nametag, customers would just refer to me as “My Pawpaw’s grandchild” or “My daddy’s daughter.” Oh! And people don’t play about their scratch-offs and cigarettes.
  3. It’s easy to have an opinion about the manager – until you are the manager! And you come here every week like clockwork to exchange a propane tank. Why do you still keep trying to bring it inside the store?!

 

Question. Is it considered nepotism if my cousin was the hiring manager?

Video Game Company | Apr 2011 - Feb 2012

Quality Assurance Tester

  • Overviewed the distribution of 8-12 project builds per shift and strengthened team efficiency by 1-2 builds per shift through directing individual and partnered game play for quality assurance
  • Personally assessed an average of 3-5 newly released project builds for bugs, glitches, and other user malfunctions each shift by rigorously testing each build on both X-Box and PlayStation consoles
  • Intentionally overhauled project builds to attempt breakage of the build and generated reports on the repeatability of the game breakage while including solutions and appropriate troubleshooting methods to eliminate potential game break points and enhance user gameplay

To receive an invite for this job position, you had to be recommended by someone that was a current employee. The security aspect behind this job was very interesting; and it was my first time having to use a badge to access spaces around a work campus. I worked mostly on menu settings, but I had my fair share at working with FIFA, NHL, and the online golfing platform.

 

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. Keep your hands off of other people’s things. Someone actually got arrested because they ate someone else’s lunch from the fridge. Not a big deal? Wrong. The person (whose lunch was eaten) was diabetic and had to eat at a certain time. Because their food was gone, they suffered from a medical emergency. Thus, if it ain’t yours, don’t touch it.
  2. This was when I flourished in my skateboarding era. Because what about gamers, game testers, skateboarding, an open-air skatepark, and underground music don’t mix?
  3. I was heavily into The Sims 3. $10 PC games for the win! I had every Stuff Pack…and the cheat codes – I mean, I worked at the gaming company. Interesting share? I kind of manifested my spouse. He’s pretty much identical to my Sim’s husband that I designed nearly 6 years before actually meeting him.

Insurance & Financial Services | Aug 2012 - Dec 2024

Licensed MLM Independent Contractor

  • Followed industry regulations by maintaining state licenses and successfully completing continuing education courses; securely stored and maintained accurate and confidential client and company records; and regularly refreshed knowledge of company policy and service options to strengthen client satisfaction
  • Coordinated scheduling and assisted 5-8 clients weekly to analyze and assess their current, or lack of, life insurance policy, financial plan, and long term goals; and replaced existing policies or issued original policies and financial solutions based on the client’s personal needs
  • Actively networked to obtain clients through new leads and referrals; recruited 1-2 new representatives each month with each member efficiently receiving an active state life license; and coached new recruits on company structure and client appointments

This was a role that I matured into. Obtaining a life insurance license at barely 20 years old and trying to (1) convince other 20-year old university classmates to either purchase life insurance or become a representative and (2) tell middle-aged adults that their current life insurance policy sucks and that they should replace it with one from my company while having no literal adult experience or knowledge of how the world actually works was kind of wild. But other than that, I learned quite a bit and it was my first time doing commission-type work. I loved the flexibility and worked about 8-12 active hours each week. Sitting across the kitchen table from real families with real financial problems looking for real solutions…phew.

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. I definitely was not one of the high volume agents. Even so, I was able to learn a few essential financial tips and tricks that I have been able to successfully and consistently implement and grow from. Another plus is that I was required to get my own plan in place before I would be able to sit with families. I’m so glad I did!
  2. Something about this opportunity shifted my perspective on income. Showing up to a place knowing that you will earn an hourly or salaried paycheck is quite different from knowing that you are independently contracted and directly responsible for your earnings & commissions. I also think that the “I’m literally responsible for my own pay” aspect silently set a foundation for my future business…where I would in fact be literally responsible for my own pay.
  3. A life hack that was unlocked? Get. A. Mentor. Surround yourself with people that have accomplished what you hope to accomplish and that are both willing and interested to see you grow into success.

Clothing Retail Chain | Oct 2012 - Dec 2015

Retail Associate

  • Frequently refreshed knowledge on store sales and promotions; upheld a visually appealing storefront by refolding clothes, arranging clothing displays, and organizing store front features to prevent safety hazards 
  • Submitted accurate cash register tills; enrolled 5-8 customers per month in the store credit card program; and improved customer satisfaction through problem resolution and assisting with product and sale inquiries
  • Received shipment inventory and replenished various assortments of women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing in the stock area and on the store floor; and actively, efficiently, and effectively managed 6 fitting room stalls by maintaining cleanliness and resorting clothes to the appropriate areas

No one could ever train you for a 13-hour pre-Covid Black Friday Sale shift; it’s an experience that has to be lived first hand. I started working here for the part-time income and the employee discount. I met some awesome people here; two of them, in particular, continue to have a special place in my heart. I’ll never forget when I needed help moving to my new apartment; and meeting someone like me (a black Mexican) that was on the hunt for a friend like me (another black Mexican). It was magical. Unicorn level. 

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. I’ve witnessed customers do some very interesting things to either remove clothing security tags or prevent them from sounding as they swiftly exit the store with stolen merchandise. The oddest way? Peeing on it. Eww. The wildest thing I’ve seen? A lady stuff a baby-less stroller with four stacks of jeans and jet out of the door while practically hitting the Loss Prevention person with the Heisman. 
  2. This was near the beginning of my self-taught sewing era. Working in the fitting room gave me plenty of time to observe the structure of garments and walk through the mental processes of the order of construction for clothing pieces. This was a complete game changer – a hands-on lesson, if you will. It was also very satisfying for my neurodivergent brain.
  3. This experience, combined with grocery retail, makes me relate so much to the series Superstore. We had our very own Glenn, Garett, Mateo, and Cheyenne. No, we don’t have more stocked in the back. And you are aware that last week’s sale was better than this Black Friday deal, right?

Telecommunications Relay Services | Aug 2014 - Dec 2016

Bilingual Communication Assistant

  • Memorized and effectively used more than 45 company-specific scripted phrases and company-specific keyboard shortcuts to neutrally process phone calls for deaf, hearing impaired, and speech impaired clients using TTY machines for telecommunications relay service; and consistently averaged 98% or higher on monthly call monitoring observations
  • Translated and interpreted real-time communication between parties speaking English to Spanish, Spanish to English, and Spanish to Spanish while typing a minimum of 60 words-per-minute at 97% accuracy or higher
  • Received and processed an average of 30-45 calls per shift while adhering to company-specific procedures and compliance guidelines – resulting in positive client ratings; maintained neutrality of all processed phone calls; drafted detailed reports on failed and prohibited communication attempts; and redirected call traffic to the appropriate call centers and line extensions

OOooO, baby! I had a ball here! I learned so much about Deaf Culture; and it was my first time “professionally” (on paper) using my Spanish/English bilingual skills. This employment also required you to be able to type a minimum of 60+ words per minute with 97% accuracy or better in English and Spanish. In between crushing Mavis Beacon in elementary school and typing my Pawpaw’s secretary notes in middle school – I was already an expert! I tore Ms. B’s Intro to BCA class UPPP! Those black covers on the keyboard were NOTHING to me. Look – I’m just trying to get you to understand that this was GOLD! 

If you don’t know much about TTY Communication, I encourage you to take a moment to explore the topic. You can search things such as: What is a text telephone?; What is telecommunications relay?; How to make and receive a TTY call; What does a relay operator do?; and the like.

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. This employment got me into the series Switched at Birth. I picked up enough ASL to have short conversations – but, that old saying of “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” is very true.
  2. The same things you talk about on the phone? Yep. They do, too! It’s a normal phone call – just neutrally assisted. Menu-option phone calls were the worst; the gossip was good; the problems were real; the passing of a loved one always hurts; you can maintain three girlfriends?; how’d you learn to curse like that?; and dang – this is your third sub today, sir. Enough with the vinaigrette sauce. And on a more serious note: Prisoners, stop using TTY because you don’t have money to call home. Tying up the lines and stuff!
  3. LOVED the 4-day work week. I was the ONLY employee with a 10-hour shift – 7:30p-6:00a. The overtime options? ¡Ni digamos! OT plus $60 on the hour?! I’m on the way! Towards the end, I was quoted as “over-qualified” for a (daytime) center manager position. I later found out that I didn’t get the position because they couldn’t (or weren’t willing to) find any new hires that wanted to work the graveyard shift. I left, they got fined for not having overnight phone coverage (ADA Title IV), and the new center manager and field recruiter got fired for not complying with their roles.

A Charter Middle School | Aug 2015 - July 2016

Spanish world Language Educator, Grades K-7

  • Designed and administered elementary-level lesson plans and assessments for the entirety of the enrolled student population and intentionally incorporated vocabulary and word recognition activities for the approximately 360 students 
  • Tiered intensity of vocabulary units and lesson topics for 8 grade levels ranging from Kindergarten through 7th grade and promptly updated activity and assessment grades into the online grading system database
  • Monitored students actively during campus arrival by accompanying students to breakfast and then to the correct classroom and reinforced student safety for campus departure by escorting students to the correct vehicle and verifying parent or guardian identity

Very unprofessional. I should have known from the literal 4-minute phone interview three days before the start of the school year.  Yet, it’s still part of my story. I ended up here due to trying to escape the overnight shift at the relay center. I had never considered being a teacher before this opportunity; so this was a bit of a life shift – a different set of lenses, if you will. And by trying to “escape” the relay, I ran into something worse. Much worse. 

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. I taught the whole school. K-7. All 350+ of them. I learned “how to teach” from Pinterest and YouTube because every time I had a question, the principal would have a different response from the assistant principal, who had a different response from the instructional coordinator, and I didn’t receive textbooks until November. As a “first year teacher” that began working under the assumption of being a classroom helper – because I had no idea that I, in fact, would be the teacher – it was very…interesting. 
  2. It was a K-7 charter that slowly turned into a dumping ground for students with disciplinary issues that would no longer be accepted into the other public schools in the parish due to expulsion. (Yes, Parish. Not County. Louisiana girl, remember?) About 35% of the students were in this group. In between the student’s saying “Ms. X (the principal) not gone do nothin’. She at the beauty salon anyway” (She really was); the kids running the nurse away and leaving the secretary to administer insulin to three students from December until the completion of the school year; fifth grade students setting off fart bombs strong enough to evacuate 2 hallways (on three occasions); and the second grader that brought a water moccasin to school in his backpack to participate in story time on the reading carpet about two weeks after he flipped off of a desk in my class while attempting to WWE another student in the class; phew. I don’t even have enough breath to continue. Imagine this being your first impression as an educator.
  3. This place made me switch from part-time at the relay back to full-time. Because what do you mean you can talk to me any kind of way as a 7th grader because you take care of your 4-year old and 14-month old siblings while your single mom works overnight turn-arounds at the plant? I stuck it out long enough to finish the school year. Patience, grace, and a lot of clenched fists got me through. I won’t even mention the incident behind the school jersey. Ugh.

A Public Middle School | Sept 2016 - July 2017

Spanish world Language Educator, Grades 6-8

  • Established and designed the first Spanish language curriculum in the district at the middle school level leading to a small group student performance at 2 public school board meetings and a highlight in the community newspaper 
  • Developed and implemented an effective Spanish language curriculum for approximately 80 students and achieved the highest 4 out of 4 rating for exceptional student growth based on assessment scores and data
  • Evaluated individual student progress, communicated with parents about student learning habits and patterns, and used collected information and data to compose learner-specific activities to promote language growth

Although my first year of teaching was rough like Scruff, I enjoyed the summer vacation. 8-weeks to myself?! Yes, please! While I wasn’t sure that I wanted to continue on the educator path, I did say a little prayer. The prayer was for me to find a school that would allow me to teach without having a certification. I wanted to give it an honest try in a new place – without making a $7,000 investment into an alternative certification program for a career that I would not continue. One, for the summer vacation. Two, because there is no way that I was going to believe that my first year of teaching would be indicative of all teaching experiences. Three, being able to move around freely during the work day and not be chained to a desk for my entire shift was so satisfying for my neurodivergent self. 

Playing around on Indeed on my lunch break at the relay center, I came across a “Submit Résumé” teaching opportunity. Those were my favorites. One button and done. This was just during/after the 2016 Louisiana Floods. 

One of my cousins would always say, “ Never discount yourself from a job opportunity. Even if you feel like you aren’t qualified, still submit the résumé. Still submit the curriculum. The manager is the one that will decide if you are qualified for the position or not. Either way, they’re going to train you on how they want you to complete your tasks anyway.” And she was right! This still sticks with me – and I’ve shared the same message with others!

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. Take a chance on yourself! The original job posting was for a Business Education teacher because the Band teacher did not return after the Flood. I let the principal know that I had no experience in that subject, but that I had taught Spanish the prior school year. Winner, winner! Chicken dinner. The principal accepted.  
  2. Working with this group of children was so exciting! They were ready. They were hungry. They were really engaged with something new. They showed up and showed out! They performed so well that I was invited to select a small group to do a presentation at two public school board meetings. I was also mentioned in the local community newspaper. My grandmother was so proud; she still has the article!
  3. Ever built a foreign language curriculum? I have! Choosing the textbook and the supporting materials was a different, exhilarating feeling. The help from the staff at the Teacher’s Library (now not open to the public) was great. They were very knowledgeable and helped this second-year teacher get on great! This was a complete 180 from my first year experience. The pay and the driving distance ultimately sealed my decision to not return.

A Public High School | Aug 2017 - Jan 2024

Spanish world Language Educator, Grades 9-12

  • Customized lesson plans, assessments, and activities for 130+ students enrolled in Spanish I and Spanish II by innovatively incorporating personal language experience and connections; student interest; a variety of teaching methods and techniques; and Foreign Language Standards set in place by the state of Louisiana
  • Achieved consistent data-supported scores of 4 out of 4 for accomplishing professional growth goals, 4 out of 4 for surpassing student growth targets, and 3.7 or higher out of 4 for student small group engagement and participation 
  • Contributed to student and campus growth through accessibility by interpreting at parent meetings and translating documents and forms for a school population of approximately 900 students with a 34% Hispanic demographic; promptly reported and resolved student behavioral concerns; and communicated with parents about student progress and class performance

High school! I loved it here! It was a breeze teaching my particular subject because the students had already learned quite a bit of background information from their core subject classes; so this made it easy to build on top what they already knew. I really matured into my teaching profession here and finally decided (had) to get my teacher certification. 

A beautiful soul that I loved to see enter my classroom? Mrs. M! Her feedback was always helpful and actually useful. She gave me the best advice anyone could ever give a teacher: “Don’t overwork yourself. Do what you can. The papers will still be there.” Her experience came from years of overworking and mountains of stacked papers every weekend…until her husband passed away and that’s all she was left with – the mountains of stacked papers. 

Three takeaways from this chapter

  1. Teaching during COVID was an interesting experience. While I recognize and acknowledge that this was a difficult time for many people, it was a moment of peace for me – the world literally paused. It was almost like magic: the quiet hallways, the not having to ask students to stop talking while I’m talking, the not having to pick up cell phones during instructional time. 
  2. Here, in my fifth year of teaching, I lost my first student due to gun violence: a promising scholar that had just signed a university scholarship for football not even two weeks prior to his passing away. The somber and grief that filled the campus was so surreal. The coming together of the students, staff, and counselors was unmatched. The amount of love, support, and celebration of life that was given is something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. My seventh year, I lost a second student to gun violence: a young man that had just graduated the year prior. 
  3. I miss my crew! From homecoming week to goat yoga; from prom to field day; from fussing at 9th graders to sending them off at graduation; from faculty meetings to the annual crawfish boil; it was all a blast. Oh! And my cachapas are Venezuelan-native approved!

Spanglish Language Solutions, LLC | Oct 2020 - Present

Small Business Owner, Adult Spanish World Language Educator

  • Oversee day-to-day operations and activities;  and ensure business complies with relevant industry-specific laws and standards for data protection, financial records, and contracts
  • Customize products to address learner needs; set, and outline how to achieve, short and long-term goals; and design lessons tailored to provide growth for a variety of learning styles
  • Identify learning obstacles for adult Spanish language learners and provide actionable feedback that produces measurable Spanish language growth

This is a current chapter. 

I began tutoring classmates for Spanish class during my sophomore year of high school (2008-ish); That one session turned into multiple sessions.

When I graduated high school, I continued to tutor in university – both through the Student Help Center and as a paid private tutor. After university, I continued to tutor privately – mostly working with middle school and high school students. With time, I began to tutor university-level students and the requests for “Can you just do my homework for me and I’ll pay you?” were frequent.

Of course I didn’t accept – ethical practices.

About 8 years into tutoring, a parent of one of my high school tutees asked for help with learning Spanish from scratch. From here, I began to get a request here and there from adults wanting to learn Spanish from zero.

For a time, it was an on-the-side type thing. When COVID happened, the world paused – and I got to work. Spanglish Language Solutions, LLC came to life.

Current projects? Planning, designing, and creating courses and corresponding materials as I transition from 1-to-1 lessons and tutoring to virtual small group lessons.

Click here to take a glance at the site.

A Public Middle School | Aug 2024 - Present

Spanish world Language Educator, Grades 6-8

  • Design and impart weekly and long-term lessons that follow district and state curriculum standards; manage academic instruction and adolescent development to bridge the elementary to high school gap; and customize teaching methods to support individual learning
  • Provide constructive feedback by monitoring academic growth and observing data collected from formative and summative assessments; and communicate with parents, counselors, and administrators regarding student performance and to support student success
  • Support students in the navigation of emotional changes of early adolescence; help students resolve peer and personal conflict; establish and enforce classroom rules in order to provide a conducive learning environment

This was the first school I worked at after relocating from my home state of Louisiana. 

What I didn’t mention before was that since my second year of teaching, at least one of my students was someone that I was related to – usually a younger cousin. After moving to a new state, I thought that my streak would be over. Lo and behold, a nephew was set to attend the very same school I would be teaching at due to a change in district maps. My streak of teaching a relative ended at 11 years.

Three takeaways from this chapter 

  1. The transition of moving here – away from all I knew – was rough. The students were awesome right from the start and told me all of the important things I needed to know about the area. Our favorite topic? Food! As a (then) breastfeeding mom, I absolutely loved the support and accommodations from the principal!
  2. In my second year here, I lost a third student due to gun violence at the hands of her father; the entire household passed away in this unfortunate incident. As educators, we sit in these moments with our kids. We are more than lesson plans and summer vacations. We buy food and snacks for hungry bellies – and sometimes even give up our own lunch. We diffuse high-tension disagreements; help students navigate their adolescence; counsel; lend ears and helping hands; are mandatory reporters; are on constant alert; and continue to show up for the love of what we do.
  3. I’m saving this space for something special!