Shannon Baker

Dedicated and versatile professional with extensive experience in animal care, education, and public engagement. Proven ability to deliver engaging educational talks and manage animal welfare, with certifications in Animal Sciences and Palaeontology. Combines practical experience in supporting individuals with diverse needs from a Learning Support Assistant role with a passion for conservation.

Eager to apply strong organisational and communication skills to support the Newt Conservation Partnership, contributing to impactful environmental initiatives.

Learning Support Assistant (LSA) promoted to Pastoral Support Assistant - North Kesteven Academy - Lincoln, United Kingdom

(2023-12)

• Provide dedicated support to children with special needs, physical disabilities, and learning difficulties to facilitate their educational journey.
• Collaborate with students individually and as part of the whole class to ensure they achieve their maximum potential.
• Specialize in supporting students with ADHD, Autism, SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs), Dyslexia, and general learning difficulties.
• Offer tailored assistance, including reading questions, aiding with spelling and writing, encouraging sustained engagement with lessons or tasks, and providing emotional support during challenging moments.
• Orchestrate and lead intervention sessions, and co-facilitate alternative provision programs.
• Compile evidence on students requiring additional support and collaborate with the team to develop personalised support plans.
• Foster an environment where students feel empowered to reach their full potential and are adequately supported within the school community.

Volunteer - Fossils Galore - March

(2024-10)

• Acquire in-depth knowledge of scientific disciplines, including Palaeontology.
• Engage in laboratory work, including the preparation of specimens.
• Interact with the public, providing information and assistance.
• Deliver educational talks and presentations.
• Participate in fossil hunting expeditions across the country.

Store Colleague - Pets at Home - Newark, United Kingdom

(2020-11 - 2022-12)

• Prioritise customer satisfaction as the core focus of all responsibilities.
• Provide expert care for animals and offer guidance to customers on animal husbandry and welfare.
• Undertake animal welfare training and conduct routine maintenance, such as water testing for aquatic environments and sexing small animals.
• Consistently achieve and work towards performance targets, with a particular emphasis on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and loyalty schemes.

Educational Animal Presenter - Animal Club - Sheffield

(2021-05 - 2022-03)

• Utilise a personal collection of exotic and domestic pets to conduct educational talks within a one-hour radius, focusing on pet care and the natural world for children.
• Champion animal education, finding the role highly rewarding by promoting conservation and creating a positive impact on both people and animals.

Stable Hand - White Gate Stables - Brant Broughton

(2019-04 - 2020-08)

• Manage and handle large animals with a strong emphasis on safety protocols.
• Ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are consistently met.
• Perform a range of daily yard duties, including changing horse rugs, turning out and retrieving horses from fields, mucking out, and general yard upkeep.
• Gained practical riding experience through loaning horses during this period.

Sanctuary Work Placement - Penguins and Seals - Natureland Skegness - Skegness

(2018-10 - 2019-03)

• Delivered engaging educational talks on seal and penguin conservation, significantly contributing to public awareness.
• Played a vital role in animal welfare and conservation efforts, including the successful release of numerous seal pups.
• Received commendation from staff for enthusiastic and confident delivery of educational talks within the first week of placement.
• Executed food preparation and cleaning duties for animals within the assigned section.
• Provided till operation support to customer service staff during their breaks.

Bachelor's degree - Natural Sciences - The Open University (2025-10)

Certificate - Animal Sciences (Level 4 Certificate) - Academy for Distance Learning (2020-01 - 2024-01)

Award - CASHE - Supporting Teaching and Learning (Level 3 Award) - Open Study College (2022-09 - 2023-09)

Certificate - Paleontology (Level 3 QLS) - Open Study College (2022-03 - 2023-03)

Certificate - Big Cat Conservation (Level 3) - Animal Courses Direct (2019-03 - 2020-03)

Diploma - Animal Management (Level 3 Diploma) - Riseholme College (2015-09 - 2017-07)