ARIA RAOFI
San Diego,CA
Summary
Dedicated Education Specialist with a passion for education and a proven track record of designing, implementing, and managing impactful educational programs. Possesses 10 years of experience in the education sector, with expertise in curriculum development, teacher training, educational technology integration, and community engagement. Skilled in identifying educational needs, formulating strategic initiatives, and evaluating program effectiveness to drive positive outcomes. Strong project management abilities, including planning, budgeting, fundraising, proposal writing, search and stakeholder coordination. Motivated to leverage experience and skills to contribute to transformative education initiatives as a Programme Specialist (Education) globally.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Academic and Finance Advisor I
National University
San Diego, CA
02.2023 - Current
- Convey University policies and procedures to various stakeholders
- Provided academic advisement to students on degree requirements, course selection and university policies
- Proficient in financial skills, including budget breakdown, planning, and monitoring, with a solid understanding of Policies and Procedures, administrative, budgetary, and financial protocols
- Created individualized academic plans for each student to help them reach their educational goals
- Independently support assigned student caseload by making informed decisions and applying sound judgment
- Utilize and navigate different systems, programs, and software, including Central Processing Center (CPS), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Access
- Oversee student Accounts Receivable, managing document collection, student payments, and financial aid.
Coordinator of Development & Alumni Relations
Alliant Educational Foundation
San Diego, CA
01.2018 - 02.2023
- Director-level role overseeing alumni relations, individual fundraising, and foundation grant-writing
- Identified and cultivated individual and foundation donors, maintained alumni database
- Assisted in developing new fundraising plans and implemented strategic giving campaigns
- Collaborated with CEO and program staff on outreach materials and donor education
- Provided accurate reports to the CEO, Development Committee, and Board of Directors
- Conducted prospect research and wrote grant applications
- Analyzed and presented mid-year and year-end outcomes data
- Managed Salesforce and MailChimp databases for current contacts
- Created growth strategy for alumni relations at Alliant International University
- Fostered collaborative relationships with university departments
- Facilitated alumni networking opportunities and engagement initiatives
- Recruited alumni as mentors, speakers, and program supporters
- Organized limited alumni events locally and regionally.
Volunteer Coordinator
Greece
Lesvos, Greece
07.2015 - 12.2015
- Volunteered with the refugee crises in Lesvos, Greece, I helped deliver humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable refugee women and children from Syria, Congo, Somalia, Irian, Afghanistan, Haitian, and other African countries who had crossed the Mediterranean Sea in the hope of a better life and set, planned corrodnated eductional emerguyinciy
- Developed and implemented volunteer recruitment plans
- Coordinated onboarding and orientation for new volunteers
- Created job descriptions for all volunteer roles
- Organized training programs for volunteers
- Assisted in developing strategies to increase community engagement with the organization's mission.
TESOL Teacher
International
International
12.2012 - 07.2015
- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver engaging TESOL lessons in a classroom setting
- Facilitated student learning by providing individualized guidance and support
- Assessed student performance through written tests, oral interviews, and other evaluation methods
- Created lesson plans and activities that cater to the needs of diverse learners
- Utilized various teaching strategies such as pair work, group work, role-play, project-based learning
- Developed materials for use in the classroom including worksheets, handouts, flashcards
- Encouraged students to participate actively in class discussions by asking questions and giving feedback
- Maintained accurate records of student progress and attendance
- Provided additional assistance to struggling students with course content or language difficulties
- Assisted colleagues with planning and organizing events related to TESOL instruction
- Conducted professional development sessions on topics related to TESOL pedagogy and methodology
- Collaborated with school administrators on policy issues relating to ESL and EFL education
- Researched current trends in ESL and EFL language acquisition theory and practice
- Attended conferences related to TESOL instruction for professional growth purposes
- Participated in staff meetings focused on curriculum design and implementation
- Monitored student behavior in the classroom environment ensuring a safe learning atmosphere
- Served as a resource person for teachers seeking advice about best practices for teaching English Language Learners
- Developed assessment tools for measuring ELLs' progress towards mastering English language skills
- Built relationships with students of diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds
- Taught lessons encompassing range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading and listening
- Customized small group and individual classroom activities based on differentiated learning needs
- Developed lesson plans to teach course materials according to schedule
- Employed kinesthetic, visual and auditory approaches to make lessons interesting and interactive
- Organized supplementary materials in English for all students
- Created interesting and age-appropriate reading lists to expand English vocabulary and comprehension skills
- Customized instructional plans to meet individual student skill levels and learning styles
- Educated, tutored and mentored students to correct academic problems and prompt personal adjustments
- Performed skill evaluations to discover areas of interest and competencies in students
- Planned, organized and taught lessons for adult English language learners involving listening, speaking, reading and writing instructional components
- Instructed students of various backgrounds and learning styles by employing variety of instructional resources
- Mentored and tutored individual students struggling to understand lecture objectives
- Instructed students on ideas and customs in English, conversational English and career planning, social adjustment and practical life skills
- Adapted curriculum to fit program participants' abilities and needs, using preassessment followed by in-progress assessments to confirm learning fulfillment
- Created and led strengths-based and engaging class that equipped adult students with skills and confidence to learn English using interactive, culturally responsive curriculum
- Helped students cultivate life and social skills like using public transportation, appropriate emotional expression and communicating with co-workers and employers
- Integrated academic and vocational curricula to help students learn variety of skills
- Developed advanced job placement training focused on career advancement, career changes and professional development.
Education Program Specialist
The International Foundation For Families
San Diego, CA
- Contributed to strategic discussions on education programs/projects, particularly focusing on women's and children's education
- Managed monitoring of educational programs within IFF, tracking key performance indicators and assessing project progress and success
- Formulated, executed, and monitored IFF's Strategic Plan, Education Strategy, and associated technical guidance, emphasizing Women Empowerment in challenging circumstances
- Executed remaining project activities with a focus on comprehensive documentation and reporting
- Identified potential educational project risks and developed proactive mitigation strategies
- Utilized Database Software to manage and organize refugee-related data, including demographic information and service utilization details
- Participated in the conceptualization, design, planning, development, coordination, monitoring, and implementation of initiatives focusing on education in emergencies and Inclusive Education in line with UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy and the 2030 Agenda
- Developed, planned, implemented, and coordinated initiatives relevant to education in emergencies and inclusive education to scale up policies, good practices, and expand the knowledge base evidence
- Appraised and analyzed the context of education in emergencies in the region, assisting line ministries in formulating sound policy advice and strategies
- Provided policy advice and technical assistance to ministries of education and education partners regarding digital education and learning continuity
- Offered advice and technical support to field offices and peers on matters related to learning continuity, applicable tools, policies, and resources
- Monitored regular and extra-budgetary funded projects, activities, and program implementation in a timely, coherent, and integrated manner
- Contributed to project and program evaluation and reporting, providing input to reports on implementation and other briefings as required
- Led the quality assurance process of inclusive education tools, guidelines, and handbooks developed within the office
- Identified funding opportunities, prepared project proposals and cooperation frameworks, and followed up with donors to support the implementation of education in emergencies and inclusive education projects.
Education
Master of Arts - Documentary Filmmaking
School of Visual Arts
12.2021
Master of Arts - MASTER OF EDUCATION psychology
National University
05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
San Diego State University
06.2008
Skills
- Curriculum Development: Skilled in crafting tailored educational curricula to meet diverse learner needs and educational objectives
- Program Management: Proficiently oversee program implementation from planning and budgeting to resource allocation, ensuring efficient monitoring and evaluation
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with educators, administrators, community leaders, and funding agencies to ensure program success and sustainability
- Educational Technology Integration: Experienced in utilizing educational technology tools and platforms to enrich teaching, learning, and assessment processes
- Teacher Training and Professional Development: Design and deliver impactful training programs and workshops to empower educators with innovative pedagogical approaches and instructional strategies
- Data Analysis and Evaluation: Analyze and interpret data to assess program effectiveness, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and guide data-driven decision-making
- Cross-Cultural Competence: Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences, fostering inclusive education practices and addressing equity issues within diverse populations
- Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills facilitate effective communication of program objectives, outcomes, and impact to stakeholders while fostering collaboration within multidisciplinary teams
Timeline
Academic and Finance Advisor I
National University
02.2023 - Current
Coordinator of Development & Alumni Relations
Alliant Educational Foundation
01.2018 - 02.2023
Volunteer Coordinator
Greece
07.2015 - 12.2015
TESOL Teacher
International
12.2012 - 07.2015
Education Program Specialist
The International Foundation For Families
Master of Arts - Documentary Filmmaking
School of Visual Arts
Master of Arts - MASTER OF EDUCATION psychology
National University
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations
San Diego State University