Alex Caston
Anna,TX
Summary
English teacher with extensive experience in secondary and post-secondary education. Proficient in curriculum development and implementing student engagement strategies. Strong communication and leadership skills demonstrated through innovative teaching methods. Achieved significant improvements in student learning outcomes via creative lesson planning and personalized instruction.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
English 1 Teacher
Uplift Education
Dallas, TX
12.2024 - Current
- Develop engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards and student needs.
- Facilitate interactive discussions to foster critical thinking and communication skills.
- Implement assessment tools for evaluating student progress and delivering targeted feedback.
- Collaborate on interdisciplinary projects to enhance overall learning experiences.
- Utilize technology resources to optimize instructional delivery and increase student engagement.
- Produce lesson materials for teaching English grammar, reading comprehension, and creative writing.
- Adapt teaching methods based on individual student needs and abilities.
- Explore different approaches to help students improve their reading comprehension skills.
English 1 Teacher
Dallas Independent School District
Dallas, USA
07.2023 - 07.2024
- Provided students with rigorous appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to help them reach their full potential in ELAR.
- Presented subject matter according to guidelines established by Texas Education Agency, Board of Trustees policies, and district and administrative regulations.
- Drafted, prepared and taught differentiated lesson plans that reflected the accommodations of each student's learning style.
- Established and maintained efficient classroom management procedures and standards according to school and district policies.
- Created an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level and needs of students.
- Collected, interpreted, and evaluated data from formative and summative assessments to track student progress and to implement the best pedagogical approach.
Seasonal Associate Success Coach
Podium Education
05.2023 - 07.2023
- Company Overview: Remote
- Monitoring of student progress throughout each course.
- Identifying at-risk students and directing them to extra help resources.
- Retaining students from initial enrollment to completion of their course.
- Supporting students during live class sessions.
- Providing feedback to help direct department processes.
- Remote
Health Science Success Coach
Grayson College
Denison, USA
07.2022 - 04.2023
- Managed a caseload of First Time in College Students; answer questions, monitors student progress, and advises students to improve student completion.
- Taught a zero-hour college success course to help students develop habits for academic success.
- Promoted the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion when assisting students or faculty.
- Created and maintained effective relationships with students, faculty, and staff to provide an elevated level of quality service and support.
Academic Alert and Probation Advisor
University of North Texas System
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Advised students via in person, email, or virtual meetings on the individual degree requirements for College of Science.
- Led, conducted, and managed the academic alert and probation workshop for at-risk students.
- Maintained, updated, and edited degree audits and other student records through the university systems and advising technology, including graduation applications.
- Counseled students on best degree and career matches, college transition challenges, and other issues related to overall student success.
Graduate Assistant
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, USA
05.2020 - 08.2021
- Recruited and retained high school students for SMU Upward Bound Program.
- Conducted academic, college planning, and career advising sessions for low-income, academic risk first-generation students.
- Taught and facilitated pre-collegiate and career seminars and workshops.
- Designed and implemented pre-collegiate curricula for career exploration, financial aid, SAT/ACT, resume, and admission letter classes.
Substitute Teacher
Clark County School District & Dallas Independent School District
Las Vegas, USA
06.2017 - 06.2021
- Managed class sizes between 25-35 students and taught lesson plans and subject matter to fulfill the requirements of the teacher of record for students' grades K-12.
- Established and maintained efficient classroom management procedures and standards according to school and district policies.
- Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the maturity level and needs of students.
Instructional Associate- Writing
Tarrant County College
Fort Worth, USA
08.2019 - 11.2019
- Instructed students, individually or in groups of 3-5 students with lesson assignments that reinforced learning concepts for college-level English language Arts.
- Communicated with faculty to coordinate effective tutoring sessions.
- Participated in embedded tutoring by assisting faculty with peer review writing session in class sizes between 20-30 students.
Adjunct Instructor
Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas
North Las Vegas, USA
06.2015 - 08.2018
- Taught vocational classes in massage therapy to students on the use of various massage techniques.
- Observed and evaluated students' progress through practical lessons.
- Monitored students' grades/attendance and input daily.
Notetaker
UNLV Disability Resources Center
Las Vegas, USA
10.2016 - 05.2018
- Recorded, prepared, and scaffolded study guides for university students with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
- Created specified notes based on students learning style in digital and written format.
Aviation Ordnanceman, Boatswain's Mate
U.S. Navy
09.2005 - 08.2010
- Company Overview: United States of America
- Managed, trained, and mentored 10-15 junior sailors in seamanship and shipboard firefighting.
- Served as a team member of the Ship's Reaction Force Team as a Level III .50cal gun crew and armed security sentry.
- Served as an air-launched weapons technician assisting in the handling and storage of 2.4 million pounds of conventional ordnance during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
- United States of America
Education
Master of Education - Higher Education
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX05.2022
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV08.2018
Skills
- Teaching and tutoring
- Classroom management
- Instructional design
- Academic advising and coaching
- Research and presentations
- Student development
- Teacher collaboration
- Website design and development
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Technical writing
- Programming skills
- Vocational discernment
- Differentiated instruction
- Communication skills
Awards
- 2023-2024 Dallas Independent School District Campus Teacher of Promise
Relevant Volunteer Experience
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Holmes Program, National Holmes Outreach Committee Chair, 02/18, 02/19,
- National Holmes Council Member, 10/17, 02/19, UNLV Chapter Holmes Program Undergraduate Mentor, 01/17, 05/18
- Hope for Prisoners INC, Las Vegas, NV Mentor/Volunteer, 03/16, 08/17
- Clark County School District Las Vegas, NV, Mentor/Tutor, 08/16, 06/17
Military Experience
U.S. Navy United States of America, Aviation Ordnanceman, Boatswain's Mate, 09/05, 08/10,
- Managed, trained, and mentored 10-15 junior sailors in seamanship and shipboard firefighting.,
- Served as a team member of the Ship's Reaction Force Team as a Level III .50cal gun crew and armed security sentry.,
- Served as an air-launched weapons technician assisting in the handling and storage of 2.4 million pounds of conventional ordnance during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Accomplishments
- Caston, A. & Slife, N. (2017, May). Holmes Honors Program Panel Discussant. University of Nevada, Las Vegas “College of Education Dean's College Meeting,” Las Vegas, NV.
- Caston, A., Devore, A. & Martinez, R. (2017, Nov). Google’s Privacy Policy. University of Nevada, Las Vegas presentation for The College of Liberal Arts (COLA 100) Las Vegas, NV.
- Caston, A (2018, March). Color Me BAD: An Examination into the School-to-Prison Pipeline poster session presented at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Baltimore, MD
- Caston, A (2018, March). AACTE Deeper Dive Session, Promising Practice and Lessons Learned: Pathways for Recruiting, Retaining, and Supporting a Diverse educator Workforce Panel Discussant Baltimore, MD
Timeline
English 1 Teacher
Uplift Education
12.2024 - Current
English 1 Teacher
Dallas Independent School District
07.2023 - 07.2024
Seasonal Associate Success Coach
Podium Education
05.2023 - 07.2023
Health Science Success Coach
Grayson College
07.2022 - 04.2023
Academic Alert and Probation Advisor
University of North Texas System
08.2021 - 07.2022
Graduate Assistant
Southern Methodist University
05.2020 - 08.2021
Instructional Associate- Writing
Tarrant County College
08.2019 - 11.2019
Substitute Teacher
Clark County School District & Dallas Independent School District
06.2017 - 06.2021
Notetaker
UNLV Disability Resources Center
10.2016 - 05.2018
Adjunct Instructor
Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas
06.2015 - 08.2018
Aviation Ordnanceman, Boatswain's Mate
U.S. Navy
09.2005 - 08.2010
Master of Education - Higher Education
Southern Methodist University
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Nevada Las Vegas