Experience
English Language Arts Teacher
Springfield School District 186 | 2023-present
My role encompasses instructional leadership, student support, and community engagement in a high-needs Title I school. I’m responsible for creating a dynamic learning environment where diverse students from varying cultural backgrounds can thrive academically and personally.
My responsibilities include:
• Curriculum Development: Designing and implementing student-centered, standards-aligned lesson plans and activities integrating diverse texts, multimedia resources, and real-world applications to enhance student engagement.
• Literacy Intervention: Identifying and addressing literacy gaps among students through differentiated instruction, targeted interventions, individualized support, and enrichment opportunities to ensure all students have the option to succeed.
• Promotion of Literacy Skills: Fostering a love for reading and writing by exposing students to diverse genres, authors, and literary techniques, encouraging independent reading, facilitating class discussions, and guiding students in critical analysis and interpretation of texts.
• Classroom Management: Implementing effective strategies in an environment with multiple challenges (such as large class sizes, high rates of student poverty, and widespread behavioral issues) requiring resilience in the face of adversity and patience in fostering student growth.
Temporary Disability Adjudicator
State of Illinois | 2022-2023
I analyzed and reviewed medical information and arranged and conducted interviews with medical professionals to determine if disability claims fell within the scope of the disability program.
This position required mastery of complex medical terminology necessary for teaching English for medical professionals.
Office Manager | BLS Educator
Vital Education and Supply | 2021-2022
I managed all office operations including writing and editing internal and public-facing correspondence, press releases, website, and social media content and taught Basic Life Support (BLS) classes to medical professionals.
This position required mastery of basic medical terminology necessary for teaching English for medical professionals and business operations terminology necessary for teaching English for business.
Foreign ESL Teacher
VIPKid and GOGOKID | 2020-2022
I delivered online English language instruction to students in China through one-on-one or small-group lessons using engaging teaching materials and interactive tools to facilitate language learning in areas such as vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and speaking.
Newspaper Reporter
Macoupin Enquirer-Democrat | 2019-2020
I wrote original news articles for publication based on research and interviews. Two of my pieces were recognized in the 2020 Illinois Best of the Press Awards.
This position required mastery of advanced Journalism terminology necessary for teaching English for Journalism.
Freelance Writer
Self-employed | 2017-present
I craft engaging and informative written content for various English-language publications, including articles, blog posts, and website copy. I deliver tailored, high-quality content that captivates audiences, informs readers, and achieves the desired outcomes for my clients.
ELA/ESL Tutor
Self-employed | 2017-present
I develop and teach personalized lessons aligned with private students’ proficiency levels and learning objectives, focusing on pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.
Education
Webster University
B.A. English Language & Literature | 2014
Graduated with Honors in English and received the 2013-14 Joan McDonald Endowed English Scholarship.
Parkland College
Liberal Arts | 2009-2011
Certifications
Logic of English Master Teacher Training | 2024
Illinois Teaching Authorization | 2023-2027
Illinois Substitute Authorization | 2021-2026
CELTA | 2020
120-hour TESOL | 2020
Awards
Austin Film Festival Script Competition | Top 20% | 2023
Illinois Best of the Press | 2020
Joan McDonald Endowed English Scholarship | 2013-2014