(904) 363-9398
E-mail: billncristina@earthlink.net
To Whom It May Concern:
Enclosed you will find a summary of my professional career as well as my vita as a reference.
I have been extremely successful in the educational arena, namely the fields of language acquisition: bilingual/Dual education, ESL/ESOL, and multicultural education and educational leadership. Through the various positions which I have held, I developed the ability to effectively multitask in the areas of planning, teaching, assessment, evaluation, supervision, and curriculum. In addition, in today’s diverse world, the opportunity to study abroad has increased my understanding and appreciation of working with diverse cultures.
My experience as a School Administrator, and the eleven years of teaching at all levels have taught me to appreciate the many aspects and dimensions of the educational field. The areas of teaching, planning, communication, and cultural understanding have proven to be invaluable. Furthermore, I have considerable experience in the development and implementation of Bilingual/ESL/ ESOL instructional programs in Honduras and in the United States including student internships and in conducting comprehensive workshops for staff development. I have enjoyed teaching a variety of students in the classroom as well as being the Academic Advisor for senior high school students. Currently, I am an ESOL trainer at the district level and an adjunct faculty professor at Jacksonville University. I am also a liaison between the magnet office at the district level and the Spanish Immersion Montessori program at John E. Ford K-8. As a CIT, I have acquired a lot of experience writing and working with government grants.
During the past several years, I have worked closely with Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. I helped in the organization of their Master’s program in Honduras, Central America. I continue to assist in the development, boarding, and placement of the internship program for their student teachers in Honduras. Currently, I am working with DCPS as a CIT, and I have also been a Standards Coach for several years, TIS, and principal of one of the Charters schools here in Duval County.
Through out my career I have been the recipient of several commendations for my dedication and professionalism, and continually received recognition for my communication skills and leadership ability.
The enclosed resume is a brief summary of my qualifications. I would be delighted to meet with you in a personal interview to discuss the position.
Sincerely,
Cristina P. Valentino
Experienced University Instructor, Literacy Coach, School Administrator, ESL/ESOL trainer
· Planned and Designed Curriculum
· Designed special English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs
· Staff Supervisor
· Professional Development (Educational Trainings)
· Organized School Conventions and Workshops
· Organized and Developed School Youth Activities
· Supervised building maintenance
· Presenter at different Conferences in the United States and Overseas
· Personnel Administration and Development
· Standardized Testing
· ESL/ESOL Trainer
· Student Teacher Supervisor (Elementary/Middle School/High School)
Ed.D in Educational Leadership with an ESOL/Multicultural Concentration, 2005
BA in Psychology and Secondary Education/Spanish, 1992.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND ESOL COORDINATOR Present
Jacksonville University
ESOL TRAINER and ESOL PRESENTER 2004-2006
ADJUNCT FACULTY, Jacksonville 2003-2006
Jacksonville University, ESOL Methods/Cross-Cultural
Phoenix University, Curriculum
Florida Community College at Jacksonville, ESOL
St. Leo University, Math Methods for Elementary Teachers
Jacksonville University, Spanish
Plan and deliver instruction of math methods K-5, Spanish, and ESOL classes. Organize lesson plans and develop material to be used in the class based on student ability. Teaching useful techniques in the learning process that will make the students succeed. In charge of the curriculum and instruction of the different classes. Plan classroom material based on student ability.
DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, Jacksonville, FL 2000-2006
Duval County Public Schools ESOL Trainer
CIT (Magnet Curriculum Integration Teacher)
TIS (Teacher Instructional Support/Assistant Principal)
Standards Coach (literacy/language arts)
Plan and organize workshops and training for the staff. Knowledge of reading programs, assessments, theories, research, and strategies in reading PK-5. Supervise classrooms. Work as a team leader by identifying and accomplishing a variety of tasks. Leading staff meeting and working as a coach.
WAYMAN ACADEMY OF THE ARTS, Jacksonville, FL 2000
School Principal
In charge of coordinating and establishing the vision, foundation, goals, and action plan for Wayman Academy of the Arts, one of the new charter schools opening in August 2000. Responsible for the school’s
administrative services which include: curriculum development, board policy management, school operations, maintenance, health services, coordinating the integration of arts and technology into the curriculum. Developed discipline program (conflict resolution and student discipline), allocated resources, and established a staff/teacher compensation program. In charge of hiring and directing personnel, the human resource department, oversee scheduling, evaluation, budgeting, and staff effectiveness. Develop and coordinate the staff development program.
SCHOOL DISTRICT U46, Elgin, Illinois 1999
Teacher Bilingual K-2/Computer Assistant Program (CAP) Bilingual High School Teacher
Responsible for the curriculum and instruction for all high school classes using the computer assistant program, with special emphasis on Math and Science. Plan classroom material based on student ability. Use native language material to aid in the educational process. Facilitate learning with students of varying abilities and cultures. Design and re-work curriculum to bring within State Standards. Use different
strategies of assessment such as student portfolios, self-assessment, and rubrics. Coordinated student multimedia projects with classroom themes. Taught K-2 Illinois Learning Standards to Hispanic students in their native language as well as ESL in preparation for the regular classroom.
DOWAL SCHOOL, Tegucigalpa, Honduras 1992-1999
Vice-Principal
Observe classroom-teaching methodologies. Supervised building maintenance planned and attended school conferences, workshops and activities. Planned the school’s calendar, reviewed lesson plans and met with students, parents, and teachers. Assumed principal’s responsibilities in her absence. Collaborated
with the staff in developing academic workshops to create new teaching techniques. Coordinated the summer academic program. Managed a professional staff between 40 to 90 employees. Experience working with a student body in excess of 750. Implemented and coordinated the Advanced Placement Program for High School. Report to the principal and School Board of Education.
Academic Coordinator
Responsible for the supervision of the faculty and staff. Performed troubleshooting and gave support for a variety of academic projects for the students, parents, and teachers. Maintained and managed students’ academic records. Engaged communication with the National School Board of Education. Established criteria in the National Standards of Education while updating student records. Interviewed a variety of students and parents during the application process. Lead staff meetings as well as students/parent/teachers conferences. Planned the academic calendar including the different activities throughout the school year. Prepared the class schedule on a daily basis. Revised the student list and academic records at the end of the year to verify student status. Reported directly to the school principal.
Dowal School Overseas Activities Coordinator and Supervisor for Student Teachers
Planned class schedule and material for the student teachers. Managed faculty and staff members. Trained the staff and student teachers, and implemented school procedures. Informed the school principal and university on the students’ performance. Supervised student teachers plans and class organization.
Researched and organized International activities such as the exchange program. Responsible for passport transactions with the embassy. Coordinated the first trip of a Dowal School to Washington D.C. Developed and implemented an exchange staff program and an International system of education. Developed information manuals for students such as school philosophy, financial aid, international programs, students’ activities, and admission process.
Accomplishments at Dowal School
Founder and coordinator of the Math Bee school activity, Founder of the Dowal School Service Group (DSSG) or Leo Club, Implemented the Advanced Placement Program for high school students,
Implemented an improved Discipline Code, Coordinated science fairs, Implemented a series of teacher workshops, Developed and implemented a series of testing programs.
Teaching Experience at Dowal School
Taught elementary school grades 1-5, Taught middle School Math and Health, Taught Psychology, History, and Spanish/ESL at the High School level, Taught College Level classes (Education) to High School students
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
Computer Programming, Cooperative Learning, Human Resource Management, Holistic Education, Improving Counseling Services, Love as a Modifier Behavior, Leadership Techniques in School and life, International Symposium about Early Education and Special Education. Teaching Effectiveness Training, School Finance, Reading Continuum, Assessment Foundations Applications, Computer Novell Plato Applications, Team Management, Technology, Supervision.
· “Hurricane Mitch” (Devastation in Central America)
Presenter (Longwood College, Virginia)
· “Light in The Darkness: A Multicultural Perspective from an Immigrant”
Presenter (Las Vegas, Nevada) National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME)
· Panel about Multicultural Experiences
Presenter (Tampa, Florida) Florida Association of Multicultural Education (FAME)
· Author of the Education Section in the Magazine “Mundo Latino”
· Presenter (Chicago, Illinois) Illinois TESOL and Bilingual Education (ITBE)
ORGANIZATIONS
Co-founder and President of the Lions Club “Tegucigalpa Daniel Matamoros C”
Member of Lions Club “Tegucigalpa Daniel Matamoros C.”
Volunteer Member of the Chamber of Commerce (Hispanic Office/CAHA) in Jacksonville.
Member ASCD
Member Pi Lamba Theta (International Honor Society)
Vice-President Phi Delta Kappan
HONORS/AWARDS
CAPS Scholarship for four years at Augustana College, Illinois by AID U.S. Government 1987
“Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges” 1991-1992
REFERENCES
Upon Request