CV Highlights
International Experience
• Native American English Speaker.
• Traveled to, lived and/or worked in 12 countries on three continents.
• Two and a half years university teaching experience in the Middle East
• Currently teach in Al Jahra, Kuwait.
Education Highlights
• Master of Science in Education (ESL Program Specialist) from Duquesne University in the United States. NOT an online program. (Graduate level courses completed ON CAMPUS, including a full semester
ESL practicum at La Roche University, United States)
• 5 years of university teaching experience, over half of which is in the Middle East.
• Bachelor of Arts in Mandarin Chinese, from the University of Pittsburgh, United States
• University of Toronto TEFL Certification (Certificates in Teaching Arabic Speakers and Business English)
• Undergraduate Certificates in Global Studies and Asian Studies.
• ACTFL OPI certification of Advanced-mid in Mandarin Chinese (Currently speak intermediate level).
Teaching/Communication Experience
• Leadership experience as an EFL course planner.
• Textbooks/curriculums taught: National Geographic: Reading Explorer, Great Writing, Pathways; Cambridge: English Unlimited; Longman/Pearson: From Paragraphs to Essays; Cengage: World Englishes, Cause & Effect.
• Software Platforms: Canvas; Blackboard Learning; MS Office; Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Experience in aspects of higher education, including curriculum development, syllabi/lesson planning, assessment and classroom instruction of diverse populations.
• College level ESL, personal development & wellness course teaching experience.
• Accomplished singer/guitarist with the ability to sing in Mandarin.
• Acting experience, having held roles in local community theater productions.
Admissions/Recruitment Experience
• 3 years of experience as assistant to the director of admissions and as a student recruiter.
• 3 years of experience in strategic planning for student recruitment, networking with school & community leadership, high school/community outreach & instruction and guidance through matriculation process.
Education
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America August 2014 – June 2015
Master of Science in Education, English as a Second Language Program Specialist – GPA: 4.0.
NOT an online program. Graduate level courses completed ON CAMPUS, including:
• Full Semester Practicum in ESL at La Roche University, United States
• Sociolinguistics in the ESL Classroom
• ESL Curriculum & Assessment
• Research Methods and Design
• Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners
• Theories and Practices of Second Language Learning
• Advanced Grammar & Applied Linguistics
• Integrated Literacy in the Content Areas
• Teaching English Language Learners
• Teaching Students with Disabilities
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America August 2008 - August, 2013
Bachelor of Arts in Mandarin Chinese
• Magna Cum Laude: GPA 3.698.
• Global Studies & Asian Studies Certificates.
• Awarded: Fudan University full scholarship for study abroad in Shanghai, China.
• Awarded: CIEE GAIN scholarship for Study abroad at Normal University in Shanghai.
• Awarded: University of Pittsburgh School of Education Merit Scholarship.
• Awarded: Bobbie Andrea Gaunt Endowed Scholarship.
Fudan University, Shanghai, China May 2013 – August 2013
Study abroad Scholarship awarded by the University of Pittsburgh as part of undergraduate degree.
• Studied advanced Chinese in a total immersion setting.
• Studied Chinese politics and the media.
• GPA of 4.0
Certifications
University of Toronto/Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) 2020
• 120-hour TEFL Certification
o 100-hour TEFL Core Curriculum
o 10-hour Teaching English to Arabic Speakers Module
o 10- hour Teaching Business English Module
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), United States 2012
• ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) certification of advanced-mid in spoken Mandarin Chinese (Awarded in October, 2012. Currently proficient at Intermediate-Low level)
Hanban, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (in progress)
• HSK Level 4 Certification in Mandarin Chinese (Currently preparing for HSK level 4 test).
Professional Experience
American International University, Kuwait June 2021 – Present
English Foundation Program Instructor/Planner
• As a Course Planner – Lead a group of instructors in teaching a course throughout the semester by writing course syllabi, assigning & implementing weekly lesson plans, creating various assessment tools, and overseeing the development of a course binder documenting all aspects of the course for the purpose of accreditation evaluation.
• As an English Instructor –
o Teach a 1-year, 2-level conversational and academic English program to prepare students for their undergraduate programs.
o Help students develop listening, speaking and writing skills for extended academic discourse.
o Help students strengthen literacy skills necessary to conduct academic research.
• As a Wellness instructor – teach an introductory course on the seven aspects of wellness, including physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, social and occupational.
• Participate in department, campus, and cross-college meetings, committees and professional development activities.
Wall Street English, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia May 2021 – July 2021
English Language Instructor (Temporary summer employment)
• Conducted one-on-one and small group instruction of English language.
• Utilized the Wall Street English 80-level curriculum ranging from beginner to mastery.
• Taught students with very little English proficiency.
• Conducted formative and summative assessment during and after each unit of instruction.
Quality Education Company (at Al Baha University), Saudi Arabia September 2019 – May 2021
English as a Foreign Language Specialist
• Conducted classroom instruction of accredited EFL courses.
• Conducted English for Special Purposes course: English in Medicine
• Taught all 4 language skills: Reading, writing, speaking & listening
• Organized and wrote course syllabi, outlines & schedules.
• Created original lesson plans based on daily learning objectives.
• Fostered an effective learner-centered classroom environment through various instruction methods.
• Conducted formative and summative assessment.
• Developed an online learning environment on the Blackboard platform.
• Engaged in professional development through seminars and workshops.
Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA_United States__________October 2016 – August 2019
English as a Second/Academic Language Specialist & Student Development Instructor
• Conducted classroom instruction of accredited ESL/EAL and Personal & Academic Strategies courses.
• Contributed to curriculum development through content creation.
• Organized and wrote course syllabi, outlines & schedules.
• Created original lesson plans based on daily learning objectives.
• Fostered an effective learner-centered classroom environment through various instruction methods.
• Conducted formative and summative assessment.
• Developed an online learning environment on the Blackboard platform.
• Engaged in Professional development through in-class observations and higher education seminars.
Admissions Representative/Student Recruiter
• Collaborated with enrollment management to develop and implement a strategic outreach plan.
• Participated in various educational, business and other public & community events.
• Provided support for on-campus recruitment/admissions activities.
• Represented CCAC to local communities by building relationships with government, social and community organizations.
• Created and presented presentations to inform audiences about CCAC’s programming.
• Guided prospective students through matriculation process, from inquiry to class registration.
• Recorded recruiting activity outcomes, maintain contact lists and databases and analyze data.
University of Pittsburgh English Language Institute, Pittsburgh, PA USA September, 2015 – December, 2015
English as a Second Language Specialist
• Conducted classroom instruction of English as a Second Language courses in a college campus setting to students of various ethnic backgrounds.
• Contributed to curriculum development through content creation.
• Organized and wrote course syllabi, outlines & schedules.
• Created original lesson plans based on daily learning objectives.
• Fostered an effective learner-centered environment through various instructional methods.
• Conducted formative and summative assessment.
• Maintained grade records on the Courseweb platform.
• Collaborated in curriculum evaluation and improvement based on post semester faculty meetings.
• Engaged in Professional development through classroom observations and evaluations.
ELS Services, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (at Point Park University) United States August, 2015 – October, 2015
English as a Second Language Specialist
• Conducted classroom instruction of English as a Second Language courses in a college campus setting to students of various ethnic backgrounds.
• Contributed to curriculum development by creating content.
• Organized and wrote course syllabi, outlines & schedules.
• Created original lesson plans based on daily learning objectives.
• Fostered an effective learner-centered classroom environment through implementation of various instructional methods.
• Conducted formative and summative assessment.
• Collaborated in curriculum evaluation and improvement based on post semester faculty meetings.
• Engaged in professional development through classroom observations and evaluations.