Teacher of English

Profile

I am a New Jersey English teacher currently working in a public high school. Having been born and raised abroad, I am acutely aware of the various approaches to education, from individual teaching styles to cultural perspectives to national agendas regarding the role and function of teachers. Professionally, my interests and areas of expertise include curriculum design, researched-based pedagogy, canon formation, sociolinguistics, and tech integration.

Apr 2013 – Present

Carteret School District

Teacher of English

Courses Taught: College Prep English I; Honors English I; iPad Honours English I; College Prep American Literature; Honors American Literature; College Prep British Literature; Honors British Literature; College Prep World Literature; Honors World Literature; Journalism; SAT Prep; Communications 10 and 11; Language Arts Enrichment; English Composition.

Developed and piloted a course with iPad-centered curriculum for Honors English I. Updated curriculum for College Prep American and British Literature. Created curriculum for Communications 11 and Journalism. Designed rigorous, tech-integrated lessons. Utilized Schoology as classroom content management system. Piloted use of edModo and Google Classroom. Piloted Standards Based Grading. Led workshops for departmental Personal Learning Communities. Unpacked Common Core and New Jersey Student Learning Standards to lead department in instructional shifts. Mentored students in Photography and Japanese Cultural Studies in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. Mentored students in graphic and page design as Yearbook Creative Adviser.

Sep 2011 – Apr 2013

PRIDE Academy Charter School

ELA Teacher

Courses Taught: ELA 7, ELA 8

Unpacked Common Core Standards for school-wide Vertical Alignment. Designed curriculum and teaching units for co-teacher styled courses. Created rigorous, tech-integrated lessons. Led departmental and school-wide presentations on Common Core instructional shifts, character education, and cultural sensitivity.

Jan 2011 – May 2011

Bloomfield School District

Student Teacher

Courses Taught: Honors English I, College Prep English I, College Prep English II.

Designed rigorous, tech-integrated lessons using SMART® educational tools.

Educational History

Sep 2007 – May 2011

New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ, USA

B.A. English Literature, Departmental Honors Distinction, Magna Cum Laude

Presented capstone research project to general student body. Completed state-approved program for teacher preparation.

Mar 2010 – Aug 2010

Momoyama Gakuin, Izumi, Osaka, Japan

Certificate of Completion: International Studies and Liberal Arts

Worked in early childhood TEFL program. Volunteered as a teacher aide for kindergarten classes. Participated in international comparative education studies.

Sep 2003 – Jun 2007

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School, Jersey City, NJ, USA

High School Diploma

Graduated in top ten percent. Member of the National Honor Society. Enrolled in 11 Advanced Placement courses. Led community events to bring awareness to refugees in Jersey City.

Sep 2005 – May 2007

Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA

Earned 18 university credits via high-school dual-credit program for Psychology, Economics, and European Literature.

Connect

Direct

mail@gemsalazar.com