CREE TORAY MELVAI
Ellenwood, Georgia 30294 | (404) 748-2479 | cmelvai@gmail.com | WeChat: cmelvai | Skype: creeia |Intro Video Link: https://we.tl/s-ODhpvSle49
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Candidate for Master of Arts in Teaching - TESOL Anticipated: Summer 2019
Emphasis & Interest: Primary and Secondary Education, Teaching bilingual students prek-12, IB education system and teaching methods, Curriculum design and education reform
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Candidate for Master in Education – School Counseling Anticipated: Summer 2020
Emphasis & Interest: Primary and Secondary Education, Counseling bilingual students prek-12, IB education system and counseling methods, Behavioral Modification / Intervention
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
B.A. in Political Science 2016
Area of Concentration: International Relations and Law
LearnTEFL, London, England
CERT in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (150hr) 2016
Area of Concentration: Young Learners, Business, Adult, K-12
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Daystar Academy – Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Primary School – Lead Homeroom Teacher August 2017- March 2018
Promoted language development skills through structured, purposeful inquiry that engages students actively in their own learning by my commitment to mold internationally driven, multi-cultural focused leaders. To engage and support students’ efforts, I construct meaningful learning outcomes through science, reading, story-telling, hands-on projects, and technology focused activities (smartboard, iPad, student microphone usage). Administrative duties: evaluation & assessment, report cards, parent and teacher conference preparations, schoolwide department specific preparation, lead teacher and TA weekly minute meetings and collaboration. Received positive parental and student feedback. Complete autonomy regarding daily lesson planning and preparation, following a set of school curriculum guidelines.
Des Moines Public School District - AmeriCorps Program, Des Moines, Iowa USA
Check N Connect Counselor July 2016 – January 2017
Implemented and surveyed a new behavioral and academic management program with middle school aged students. Taught life-skills and encouraged good academic behavior in STEM courses. Met with both student and parents on Check and Connect progress, through assessment and reporting.
Berkeley International Academy – Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher - January 2016 – June 2016
Helped Berkeley academy implement a new behavioral system for pre-k students, complete classroom autonomy regarding syllabi and curricula creation. Taught U.S. Iowa kindergarten curriculum in: math, science, reading, writing, participated in parent/teacher conferences and afterschool extra-curricular activities. Professional, creative and fun homeroom teaching experience.
USAC Year Abroad Program – Alicante, Spain
English Instructor – USAC Year Abroad Program – Alicante, Spain May 2013 – December 2013
Developed syllabus and overall course structure for basic conversational English. Gave constructive and meaningful feedback to encourage positive cross-cultural dialogue and trust.
Teaching Assistant to Professor Matthew B. Weiss in “Interpretation of Literature” Spring Term 2014
Facilitated student participation during in-class projects and group discussions; Brainstormed with students regarding philosophical thought processes and project readiness.
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Georgia State University – Office of The Registrar & Enrollment Services, Atlanta, Georgia USA
Administrative Assistant III February 2017 – August 2017
Assisting the Registrar and department personnel with the overall functions in Enrollment services. Helping students process transferring and incoming coursework across the State of Georgia and other State academic institutions. Creating and processing all functions of Microsoft: Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint into database systems, computing and creating reports for meetings and high-level officials. Assisting Registrar with ordering office supplies, calendar and dictation management. Managerial role and mentoring undergraduate students.
Endurix Staffing & Palmer Group
Legal Research Analyst III & Legal Support Specialist II May 2015 – November 2015
Major related temporary paid-assignments - Senior level collaborative and team player experience (international record-keeping projects, committee minutes, group and individual conferences). Advance Microsoft Excel data-keeping process, including: validation, sorting and cleaning up, creating, extraction and analytically deciphering through database system reports. Interpreting state, federal and country specific laws, pertaining to risk management and compliance auditing. Researching, analyzing and investigating client accounts on behalf of financial institutions, with special attention to legal terminology used in correspondence, and other legal documents.
Beyer Law & Mears Law Office
Paralegal May 2014 – August 2014
Law Administration (investigation, research, legal remedies, e-filing, record maintenance, legal compliance and risk management, client intake and consultation, law office management). Examining and analyzing court records and documents regarding: judgments, complaints, and demand letters for discrepancies, on behalf of financial entity. Provided investigative feedback to written analyses of inspections and assessments. Assisted Attorney with all stages of court proceedings.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND REPORTS
Traveling Abroad: My Experiences as A First-Generation Student of Color
Guest speaker through the University of Iowa’s TRIO program for under-represented groups 2014
Social Policy and Reform: A Cuban Perspective
Paper presented to Professor Sunstein & Colleagues through the University of Iowa’s Study Abroad Consortium/Program 2013
“Crisis in The Horn of Africa: Civil War and Conflict in Somalia
Paper presented to the Iowa State University Association for Refugee Alliance 2012
LANGUAGES
English – native speaker (American)
Spanish – speak, read, and write with intermediate competence
Mandarin – basic competence (in progress)
INTERNATIONAL CAREER OF INTEREST
Academic Counseling – (Middle School, High School, University)
Behavioral Counseling – (Middle School, High School, University)
U.S University Consultancy – (TOEFL, LSAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, Essay & College Advisement)
ESL Curriculum Design and Instructional Development (Early Childhood, Behavioral Policies, Admissions)