nDash Writer Profile for Amanda Phillips

A former teacher, I am the publisher and editor of a weekly newspaper, which includes a heavy focus on digital media (think SEO). For 10 years, I owned and operated Write the First Time, an online freelance writing business with seven employees and clients worldwide. 

When not writing, I am an avid reader. I have three children in college and we love to spend time together hiking and enjoying the outdoors. And, my favorite person is my dog Brownie!

My husband retired from the U.S. Navy after 24 years of service. We have traveled extensively and lived in a variety of wonderful locations. 

Please review my education and relevant experience below. 

Education

MASTER’S DEGREE | FEBRUARY 2018 | WESTERN GOVERNOR’S UNIVERSITY - Major: Management and Leadership

MASTER’S DEGREE | MAY 1995 | UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA - Major: Special Education

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE | MAY 1990 | UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, CHATTANOOGA - Major: Psychology • Minor: Anthropology

Relevant Experience

PUBLISHER/CEO | GRUNDY COUNTY HERALD | MARCH 2014 - CURRENT  Management of daily operations including 15 staff members, circulation, advertising sales, editorial, and digital initiatives • Management of digital media • WordPress for paper’s website • SEO • Interviewing • Collaboration • Marketing (internal/external) • Team leadership and team building • Hiring and staff management • Project planning and development • Project management • Liaison between Grundy County Herald and the community, businesses, and government offices and agencies • Training of all staff and staff at sister publications (33) both online and in person • Advertising sales (print and digital) • Advertising creation • Layout and design • Budgeting • Financial planning and goal setting • Covering news in the local community and nationally (writing, editing, photography)

OWNER | WRITE THE FIRST TIME | JANUARY 2008-MARCH 2014 • Management of daily operations including 7 staff members • Marketing Write the First Time • Marketing for clients • SEO • Freelance writing • Onboarding new clients • Hiring and training staff members • Team building • Process management • Planning and execution of developmental areas • Budgeting • Payroll • Goal setting • Business strategy and planning

TEACHER (CERTIFIED) | SEATACK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | AUGUST 2004-JUNE 2009 • Instruction (2nd grade) • Advising students, parents • Development of lesson plans to meet state standards • STEM • Goal setting • Team building • Training grade level instructors (state standards and educational processes) • Communicating with parents

MEDIA SPECIALIST (CERTIFIED) | COCOA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JULY 1994 – JUNE 1999 • Daily management of school media center and two media assistants • Instruction of students in Pre-Kindergarten – 6th grade, development of lesson plans to meet state standards • STEM • Training of media assistants • Team building • Ordering and managing large inventory • Budgeting and goal setting SKILLS • Microsoft Office, Pages • Excel • PowerPoint, Keynote • Internet, Intranet • Windows, MAC OS • Online meeting platforms • Google Docs • AP Style • APA Style • Chicago Manual of Style • WordPress • Google Suite      

• Contact me for prices and content specialties. I will be happy to provide writing samples on specific topics upon request.