Résumé
Estella Ramirez
Writer, English Teacher, Tutor, Editor, Proofreader.
Los Angeles, California 90066
SKILLS
• Fluent and native Spanish speaker with advanced reading and writing skills.
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Publisher.
• Use Web 2.0 software to maintain various online profiles.
• Use Word Press to maintain personal website.
• Used Blackboard software to run university course websites, as well as TRACS, a comparable Texas State University software.
RECENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Full-Time Second Grade Teacher, August 2009-Present, Venice, California 90291
• Create and teach lesson plans according to California Standards.
• Collaborate with other teachers to run various school-wide events and field trips.
• Maintain communication with parents through various media regarding class and individual student progress.
Part-Time Private School Substitute, November 2008 – June 2009, Venice, California 90291
• Assigned as needed to classes, grades 1-8.
• Learned to adapt teaching style to each grade level and to individual child needs.
• Attended faculty meetings and created lesson plans as needed.
UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor of Record, English Department, 2006-2008
COURSES TAUGHT
College Writing I, Fall 2006, Summer 2007, Fall 2007
• Created syllabus for an intro writing, workshop-style course that develops revision skills and critical thinking.
• Designed lesson plans, writing assignments, and creative exercises adopted by several other instructors.
• Required daily personal journals and reading responses.
• Selected and taught readings from The Brief Arlington Reader, Lynn Z. Bloom and Louise Z. Smith, editors.
• Supplemented syllabus with pop culture media (film, music, television, news editorials, and web media) for social relevance.
• Invited to teach Summer 2007 in the inaugural alternative admission program for incoming freshmen (“Emerging Stars”).
College Writing II, Spring 2007, Spring 2008
• Created syllabus for a workshop-style course that introduces students to reading and writing about literature.
• Designed lesson plans, writing assignments, and creative exercises adopted by several other instructors.
• Selected and taught readings from Literature for Composition, 8th ed., Barnet, Burto, and Cain, editors.
• Supplemented syllabus with popular culture media (film, music, television, news editorials, and web media) for social relevance.
Instructional Assistant, English Department, 2005-2006
• Assisted with classroom technology in auditorium-sized classrooms.
• Held office hours, graded papers, and assisted with writing exam questions.
OTHER TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2006-2009
Full-Time Pre-School Substitute, Summer 2006, Stepping Stone School, 1910 Justin Lane, Austin, Texas 78757
• Assigned full-time to a class of 18 children, aged 3-5.
• Designed creative activities for learning alphabet, numbers, and spelling and learned to make my own teaching materials.
• Encouraged appropriate classroom behaviors.
• Kept track of individual needs regarding allergies, behavior, sunscreen, and toilet training.
• Made music an integral learning tool for everything from days of the week to washing hands.
• Learned to use classroom rules, rewards, and even furniture arrangement to facilitate a positive classroom community.
EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE 2007-2008
Front Porch Journal, an online literary journal (http://www.frontporchjournal.com)
• Poetry Reader
• Non-fiction Contributor
POETRY PUBLICATIONS 2006
• “Addict” and “Women.” Effing Magazine. Spring 2006, No.4. 74-75.
• This Midnight, a chapbook by Swing Press. Spring 2006.
EDUCATION
M.F.A. Creative Writing (Poetry) August 2005-May 2008
Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666
Thesis: Hear Soft Footsteps, Finally, a book-length collection of poetry
Honor: National Dean’s List.
B.A. Psychology, Writing Seminars Minor August 2001-May 2005
Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Honor: National Dean’s List.
UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE
Volunteer, Hispanic Apostolate
• One-on-one and small group tutoring, teaching English to Spanish speaking immigrants.
• Assisted students with various needs, such as completing a résumé or reading important documents.
Volunteer, Sheppard Pratt Health System
• Helped supervise and engage with patients in children’s unit.
• Assisted patients with daily tasks, such as brushing teeth and combing hair.
• Engaged patients in word games and reading during transitions.
Research Assistant/Editor/Contributor, Johns Hopkins University
• Contributed a student essay to a textbook on sex and gender for a professor at Johns Hopkins University.
• Formatted textbook pages with images and captions.
• Proofread content and provided additional research.
Research Assistant, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Catherine Cristinzio, Manager of the Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Program
• HIPPA Certification.
• Organized patient files.
• Evaluated patient test batteries for memory and cognitive abilities.
• Data entry.
High School Diploma August 1997-May 2001
Martin High School, 2002 San Bernardo Avenue, Laredo, TX 78040
• National Hispanic Merit Scholar.
• National Honor Society member.
• Vocal student at VMT Fine Arts Magnet School.
• Volunteer Math tutor.
INTERESTS
• Architecture
• Art
• Books
• Cooking
• Crafting
• DIY
• Fitness/Nutrition
• Gardening
• Graphic Novels
• Guitar
• Literature
• Interior Design
• Photography
• Poetry
• Reading
• Singing/Songwriting
• Vegan Lifestyle
• Wildlife Conservation
• Writing
• Yoga
