at Hometown History Tours
Greater Detroit Area
- Current
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- Author, Tour Operator at Hometown History Tours
- Owner / President at Crystal Bay Communications
- Contributing Editor, Writer at Downriver Profile Magazine
- Past
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- Middle School History & German Teacher at Summit Academy Middle School
- Teacher at Downriver High School
- Day Camp Director / Downriver Branch Site Coordinator at YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit
- Education
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- Central Michigan University
- Recommended
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2 people have recommended Karin - Connections
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60
connections
- Industry
- Writing and Editing
- Websites
Karin Risko’s Summary
Tap into 20-plus years of workforce experience in advertising, sales, education, small business ownership and management (profit and non-profit) where I’ve written copy that informed, instructed, raised funds and sold products.
My experience and versatility enable me to write effective copy for all types of audiences. Whether you require a formal, professional tone or casual and humorous, I adapt my writing style to fit your needs.
An award-winning teacher for over a decade with countless hours of professional development and graduate coursework in instructional design, I have the edge when it comes to training. I know how people learn. I know how to design tight, concise instruction that addresses multiple learning styles and delivers results.
A successful writer and contributing editor for Downriver Profile, I’ve presented people, products and services in a positive light for nearly two decades
Make Crystal Bay Communications your one-stop solution for all your communication and marketing needs!
In addition to high-quality, professional writing and editing services, I have access to a creative network of graphic designers, photographers and website designers.
Karin Risko’s Specialties:
Crisp, clean content. I despise corporate-speak/jargon! Creative marketing concepts. Simple and effective training components.
Karin Risko’s Experience
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Author, Tour Operator
Hometown History Tours
(Entertainment industry)
March 2009 — Present (9 months)
Hometown History Tours promotes the rich history of southeast Michigan and its role in shaping America.
http://hometownhistorytours.wordpress.com/ -
Owner / President
Crystal Bay Communications
(Writing and Editing industry)
September 2005 — Present (4 years 3 months)
We help small to medium-sized businesses and non-profits market their products and services. We can create and execute a full-fledged marketing campaign or assist with specific projects such as writing press releases or marketing proposals.
The 2008 Custer Celebration Event was a recent successful project we helped market.
A proposal written and submitted by Karin Risko, CBC president, resulted in a $3,000 arts grant from Target to cover costs associated with a free community concert featuring the 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard.
CBC created an online media room enabling reporters to gather pertinent information quickly. Through interesting blog posts & a consistent stream of press releases, CBC helped create a buzz that resulted in well attended events - several presentations were standing room only.
Visit our official website and read the testimonial submitted by Custer Celebration Event Programs Committee Chair Sandy Alexander. -
Contributing Editor, Writer
Downriver Profile Magazine
(Publishing industry)
1990 — Present (19 years )
As contributing editor for Downriver Profile Magazine, I present the positive aspects of our community to our readers. I've interviewed and profiled all types of people from innovative solo-entrepreneurs, owners of mom & pop style businesses to general managers of international corporations such as BASF. government officials, and local sports legends such as former Detroit Pistons center and business owner Bill Laimbeer and former Detroit Red Wings public address announcer and Hockey Hall of Famer Budd Lynch.
In addition to interviewing and writing profiles, I research and write articles surrounding special themes such as the annual North American Auto Show edition, annual golf directory, etc.
I edit articles and press releases submitted by local business owners and/or their marketing departments and assist the publisher as needed with creating monthly events calendars and writing promotional copy designed to inform advertisers of upcoming advertising opportunities. -
Middle School History & German Teacher
Summit Academy Middle School
(Education Management industry)
November 2000 — September 2004 (3 years 11 months)
Summit Academy is an innovative charter school system located in southeast Michigan where I planned and delivered instruction to 7th and 8th graders and organized special events, field trips and visits by guest speakers.
My fondest memories include the planning and implementation of the following special projects: a Revolutionary War Gathering, Memorial Day Celebration that honored fallen Iraq & Afghanistan War Veterans (death count was 800 at that time), History Show & Tell (students brought in items over 10 years old and talked about them - they brought in lots of interesting items), and the Johann Strauss Ball. (Before the popularity of DWTS, my 7th and 8th grade German students learned to waltz and put on a recital for their parents. They LOVED it!)
Two years in a row, I won the Use of Technology in Education awards. -
Teacher
Downriver High School
(Education Management industry)
January 1996 — June 2000 (4 years 6 months)
Developed course content for a variety of subject areas (English, American history, government, reading, German) and instructed at-risk students.
Organized annual School-to-Work activities such as: portfolio preparation, job shadowing, career research, and career day speakers.
Highlights: My German students shared their knowledge by teaching German to toddlers at on-site daycare and a local fifth grade class. Was able to line up interesting job shadowing opportunities for students at Detroit concert promotion company. Wrote and received several grants that provided funds to enhance DHS technology resources. -
Day Camp Director / Downriver Branch Site Coordinator
YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
June 1991 — March 1993 (1 year 10 months)
Began work at the YWCA as a summer day camp director. In this position I planned daily and weekly activities and supervised the high school staff and young campers.
I was promoted to Site Coordinator where I oversaw the daily activities of the branch. Duties included recruiting instructors to teach various classes and promote these classes to members and the public.
Responsibilities included soliciting donations / funding from members and implementing programs that promoted the YWCA mission and increased funding.
As site coordinator, I planned and executed two exciting Women of the 90s conferences and two female Celebrity Basketball Tournaments that celebrated Title IX. For these events, I was responsible for soliciting sponsors, speakers/participants, marketing, etc.
Other events I coordinated was a popular writers' workshop and the annual craft show.
Karin Risko’s Education
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Central Michigan University
BS Secondary Eductation , History, German , 1977 — 1979
Hospitality courses and general education coursework, Henry Ford Community College. (also took journalism course that prompted my writing career)
BS in Secondary Education, History Major, German Minor, Central Michigan University,
20+ hours graduate coursework in Instructional Design, Wayne State University.
Additional Information
Karin Risko’s Websites:
Karin Risko’s Interests:
Marketing and communications topics, motorsports, history, ballroom dancing
Karin Risko’s Groups:
Monroe County Historical Society Custer Celebration Event
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LA2M - Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing -
MuseumLink -
Sports Marketing and PR Pros -
eMarketing Association Network -
ThoseinMedia -
Motor City Connect -
Sponsorship Insights -
Sports Car Club of America -
Members of the National Association for Interpretation -
Motorsports Marketing Professionals -
LI Detroit -
Motorsports Professionals Group -
National Association for Interpretation Members & Supporters -
Event Peeps: For Live Event Industry Professionals -
PRSA-Detroit -
LinktoMotorsports -
Small Museum Professionals -
Home Furnishings Industry Professionals -
Detroit Economic Club -
Buy Michigan Now -
American Le Mans Series -
The Complete Civil War Road Trip Guide -
MLive.com -
Michigan Jobs -
H.F.C.C. Alumni -
Gentry Custom Designs
Karin Risko’s Honors:
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
Using Blackboard[dot]com (an Internet classroom management tool)
Summit Academy Technology Training, March 2002
Effective Classroom Management Techniques,
MOSPA Region 10 Conference, Downriver High School, January 1998
MOSPA & MDEC Joint Conference, Detroit Renaissance Center, April 1998
Conflict Resolution,
MOSPA Region 10 Conference, Southgate Holiday Inn, November 1998
AWARDS:
Best Use of Technology, Summit Academy, 2003
Most Effective Parent Communication, Summit Academy, 2002
Recipient of three Wayne County RESA School-To-Work Grants (one - $500, two - $2500 grants), 1997 - 2000
Strategy Oscar, MDEC / MOSPA Conference, 1998
Presenter's Award, MOSPA Region 10 Conferences, January & November 1998
Women Helping Women Award, Soroptimist International of Wyandotte / Riverview, 1993
Karin Risko’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- consulting offers
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- getting back in touch
