Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Publications
Conference Presentations
Service
Grants
Accomplishments
Memberships
Languages
Websites
References
Timeline
Generic

Astrid Sierra

Hyattsville,MD

Summary

Ph.D. candidate in Applied Linguistics and Language Education at the University of Maryland, with over 14 years of experience as a bilingual and ESOL educator across K-12 and higher education settings, including significant focus on adult ESL. Her research and practice center on applied linguistics, TESOL, and bilingual education, with a particular emphasis on creating equitable and just educational practices for adult multilingual learners.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Research Assistant

University of Maryland
College Park, USA
01.2021 - Current
  • Assisted the principal investigator in overall research duties (Fieldwork, data collection, data analysis, writing proposals, presenting at conferences, and writing research papers)
  • Prepared comprehensive reports summarizing research findings.
  • Organized and analyzed qualitative and quantitative data using software packages such as Dedoose and Atlas.ti.
  • Collaborated with other researchers in developing study designs, methods, and tools for data collection.
  • Contributed ideas and suggestions regarding potential new areas of inquiry based on current trends in the field.
  • Presented findings at professional conferences or seminars as required by faculty supervisors.
  • Reviewed manuscripts submitted for publication by faculty members prior to submission.
  • Participated in team meetings to discuss progress on ongoing projects or brainstorm ideas for future endeavors.
  • Prepared reports, presentations, and articles using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
  • Conducted comprehensive literature reviews to support ongoing research projects.

Instructor of Record

University of Maryland
College Park, USA
01.2021 - Current

Undergraduate and Graduate Courses:

  • TLPL 443, Understanding Intercultural Communication.
  • TLPL 645 Crosscultural communication for TESOL
  • TLPL 446 Pedagogy for TESOL
  • TLPL 788Q Seminar for Teacher Education and Professional Development
  • Conducted lectures, demonstrations and group activities in order to enhance learning experience.
  • Encouraged students' critical thinking skills by facilitating classroom discussions.

Online ESL Instructor

Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana
Tegucigalpa
06.2017 - 10.2024
  • Developed and implemented lesson plans for adult ESL.
  • Provided feedback on student assignments and assessments.
  • Created engaging activities to help increase student engagement and motivation.
  • Assisted students in developing their English language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
  • Utilized Moodle, Blackboard and Canvas a the learning management system.

Research Associate

Maryland Initiative for Literacy and Equity
College Park, USA
03.2024 - 07.2024
  • Served as a liaison with school districts.
  • Supported data collection.
  • Conducted focus groups with principals and teachers from different counties.
  • Set up the logistics for meetings.
  • Synthesized Data.
  • Elaborated final report for opportunities for growth to be used for literacy improvements.

Research Assistant

University of Maryland
College Park, USA
01.2022 - 07.2024
  • Project: Juntos/Together, Doing math with Teachers, multilingual parents and students
  • Assisted the principal investigators in fieldwork, data collection, data analysis, equipment, and storage management.
  • Created detailed summaries of existing studies for use in further investigations.
  • Contributed ideas and suggestions regarding potential new areas of inquiry based on current trends in the field.
  • Presented findings at professional conferences or seminars as required by faculty supervisors.
  • Participated in team meetings to discuss progress on ongoing projects or brainstorm ideas for future endeavors.

Early Literacy and Family Engagement

University of Maryland, Baltimore
College Park, MD
06.2023 - 03.2024
  • Name of the project: Development of Spanish early literacy at home
  • Developed lesson plans to promote early literacy development and language skills.
  • Developed, created and maintain project plans and timeline
  • Developed a series of modules/workshops for transnational families
  • Created materials for the development of early literacy
  • Facilitated the workshops to engage parents in early literacy activities

Instructor

Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana
01.2014 - 01.2021
  • Taught hybrid ESL for adult learners
  • Developed and implemented online ESL courses for adult learners
  • Assessed student progress through tests and quizzes in order to evaluate understanding of course material.
  • Utilized multimedia technologies such as audio-visual equipment, computers or video projectors when teaching classes.
  • Utilized Blackboard and Canvas as Learning Managemnet Systems
  • Utilized ESL softwares as suplementary materials

Applied Linguistics Lecturer and ESOL Instructor

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
01.2013 - 01.2021
  • Facilitated stimulating class discussions to encourage critical thinking and debate among students on contemporary issues.
  • Maintained student engagement through creative subject delivery and learning activities.
  • Evaluated ESL textbooks for appropriateness for specific classes and students based on proficiency level.
  • Taught lessons encompassing range of skill-building activities for speaking, writing, reading and listening.
  • Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans for adult ESL students.

Language Program and Bilingual Coordinator

Your English School
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Created and maintained accurate records of departmental activities, including budgets, personnel documents and project timelines.
  • Developed professionla development for teachers
  • Provided support for the creation of ESL materials for k-12
  • Collaboratively created syllabi for bilingual content classes

Instructional Designer

Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana
01.2017 - 01.2020
  • Designed online ESL classes for adult learners.
  • Created a variety of pedagogical activities
  • Developed integrated resources and materials for oral, writing, speaking, and reading skills.
  • Created interactive e-learning modules using Articulate Storyline and other authoring tools.
  • Created user stories, wireframes, storyboards, design documents, prototypes, scenarios, flowcharts and job aids for use in the development of online courses.
  • Designed assessments to measure student learning outcomes effectively.
  • Provided technical support to faculty on the use of educational technologies such as Learning Management Systems.
  • Developed multimedia elements such as video clips, audio files, animations and graphics for course delivery.
  • Facilitated workshops on the effective use of educational technologies such as Web 2.0 tools.

Second Grade language arts bilingual teacher

San Jose Bilingual School
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
01.2012 - 01.2013
  • Planned and implemented lesson plans in English to promote student understanding of language, culture and history.
  • Encouraged student participation through pair work and individual projects.
  • Assisted K-6 ESL with developing their English language proficiency while maintaining their native language fluency.
  • Collaborated with other teachers to develop integrated lessons for multiple subjects taught in English.
  • Maintained accurate records of attendance, grades, homework completion and test scores.
  • Advised parents about educational resources available for bilingual children.
  • Participated in school events such as Open House nights or Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Bilingual Teacher

Cenaculo School
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
01.2011 - 01.2012
  • Planned and implemented engaging lessons to meet the individual needs of each student.
  • Assessed students' progress and created reports for parents, administrators, and other teachers.
  • Developed positive relationships with students, families, staff members, and outside agencies.
  • Provided a safe learning environment where children could explore their creativity.
  • Organized activities that promoted physical, mental and social development.
  • Utilized appropriate teaching methods to motivate students in academic tasks.

Education

Ph.D. - Applied Linguistics And Language Education

University of Maryland
College Park, MD
05-2025

Master of Arts - Languages and Cultures, Applied Linguistics

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Tx
05-2017

Certificate - Teaching English in International Contexts

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Tx
05-2017

BA - Teaching Foreign Languages, Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
11-2012

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Google Suites
  • Qualtrics
  • Transcribing
  • Atlasti
  • Dedoose
  • Teamwork
  • Conflict resolution
  • Empathy
  • Leadership
  • Adaptability
  • Networking
  • Tech skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Language skills
  • Hybrid and Online spaces design
  • Questionnaire Development
  • Data Analysis
  • Problem-Solving
  • Program Support

Certification

  • Certificate in Teaching English in International Contexts

Publications

Mahalingappa, L., Crawford, J. B., & Sierra, A. (2024). Linguistically Responsive Instruction and Ideologies in Preservice Teacher Preparation. In The Routledge   

     Handbook of Language and Mind Engineering (pp. 431-445). Routledge.

Sierra, A; Martin-Beltran, M., Gutierrez, S; Cataneo, A. (2024) Dual Language Bilingual Education Leaders as Learners, Anchors, and Advocates. Bilingual 

     Education Research Newsletter (pp.17-19)

Martin-Beltran, M., Sierra, A; Cataneo, A. (in press). Exploring Diverse Educators’ Language Ideologies: How Lived Experiences Shape Understandings of 

     Bilingual Education Goals. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism

Martin-Beltran, M., Cataneo, A. Sierra, A (in press). The Challenges and Potential for Collaboration and Communities of Practice Among Dual Language    

Bilingual Education Teachers. Teachers and Teaching Journal

JB. Crawford, Sierra., A (under review) Towards Culturally Sustaining TESOL Supervision: Collaborative Self-Study and Critical Friendship. Studying Teacher    

     Education Journal

Conference Presentations

Paper Presentations

Crawford. J.B., Sierra, A., (April, 2024) Toward Culturally Sustaining TESOL Supervision: Collaborative Self Study and Critical Friendship. American Education 

     Research Association (AERA)

Sierra, A., Crawford. J.B. (April, 2024) Promoting Critical Consciousness in a TESOL Methods Course: The Impact of Teachers’ Intersectional Identities. 

      American Education Research Association (AERA)

Gutierrez, S. & Sierra, A., (April, 2024) Supporting a Novice Teacher’s integration of Dual Language Bilingual Education Goals through Instructional Coaching. 

     American Education Research Association (AERA)

Sierra, A.,Martin-Beltran, M., Gutierrez, S., Cataneo, A. (April, 2024) Dual Language Bilingual Education Leaders as Anchors and Advocates. American 

     Education Research Association (AERA)

Cataneo, A., Martin-Beltran, M., Gutierrez, S., Sierra, A., (April, 2024) Dual Language Bilingual Education Teacher Learning and Pedagogically Productive Talk.  

     American Education Research Association (AERA)

Sierra, A., Crawford. JB. (March, 2024) Exploring Critical Consciousness in Diverse Pre-service TESOL teachers. Americal Association of Applied Linguistics 

     (AAAL). Houston Texas

Sierra, A., Martin-Beltran M., Cataneo, A., (Apr. 2023) Exploring Diverse Educators Understanding of Dual Language Bilingual Education in the Pursuit of    

 Equity. 

      American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference, Chicago IL.

Cataneo, A., Martin-Beltran M., Sierra, A., (Apr. 2023) The Challenges and Potential for Collaboration and Communities of Practice Among Dual Language 

     American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference, Chicago IL

Crawford, J.B, Reynolds, E., Sierra, A. (Apr. 2023) Noticing the Pull: Collaborative Self-study on the Identity Development of Novice University Supervisors. 

     American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference, Chicago IL.

Practitioner based Presentations

Sierra A., (Jul. 2022) Equitable Assessments for Bilingual learners. Homecoming: National Council of Teachers of English. Louisville, KY 

Sierra A., Winfrey., R. (Apr. 2017) Language Aptitude and Personality Type in TESOL CALICHE conference. Texas Tech 

Sierra A., Winfrey., R. (Apr. 2016) Individual Differences: Aptitude, Personality Type. and Learning Strategies. CALICHE conference. Texas Tech University.   

      Lubbock, Texas. 

Black, K., Sierra A., Winfrey., R. (Apr. 2016) Adapting Traditional Courses for Distance Learning and Blended Learning. CALICHE Conference. Texas Tech 

     University. Lubbock, Texas. 

Sierra A., Torres, G., (Mar. 2019) Using WhatsApp as a Tool to Enhance Speaking Skills in large Classrooms. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. 

     Tegucigalpa, Honduras 

Sierra A., (Jan. 2019) Using Video-recording to enhance Speaking Skills in an online EFL course. Laureate International Universities. Tegucigalpa, Honduras Sierra A., (Sep. 2020) Designing ELF online classes. Sharing Designer experiences in developing Online courses. Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana Sierra A., (Dec. 2019) Why do we teach Grammar in TESOL Courses? Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. Tegucigalpa, Honduras 

Sierra A., (Nov. 2019) Online Tools to foster Communication in Writing and Speaking skills in a TESOL course

Service

  • Graduate Student Organization, Texas Tech University
  • Graduate Student Representative, University of Maryland
  • Commitee Member for Faculty Search, University of Maryland

Grants

Fulbright-LASPAU Fulbright scholarship Grantee, $67000

From Everywhere is Possible: Designing Hybrid and Online Courses, Texas Tech Univeristy, $5,000

Accomplishments

  • CUM LAUDE, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras (UNAH)
  • Fulbright Scholar 2015-2017
  • Equity and Social Justice in Educational Research, 2024 Transdisciplinary Approaches to Language & Literacy in Educational Research (TALLER) Graduate Student Conference, University of Maryland
  • Graduate Scholarship Award. College of Education, Univeristy of Maryland
  • Dissertation Funding Award. Multilingual Research Center

Memberships

American Education Research Association (AERA)

  • Bilingual Research, Special Interest Group
  • Second Language Research, Special Interest Group

American Association of Applied Linguistics (AAAL)

Languages

Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Native/ Bilingual
Portuguese
Elementary

References

  • Dr. Melinda Martin-Beltran, Professor and Associate Dean, University of Maryland, ataboada@umd.edu
  • Dr. Megan Peercy, Professor & Special Assistant to the Provost for Strategic Initiatives, University of Maryland, mpeercy@umd.edu
  • Dr. Beatriz Quintos, Associate Clinical Professor, Math Center, Univeristy of Maryland, bquintos@umd.edu
  • Dr. Ana Taboada Barber, Associate Professor, University of Maryland, memb@umd.edu

Timeline

Research Associate

Maryland Initiative for Literacy and Equity
03.2024 - 07.2024

Early Literacy and Family Engagement

University of Maryland, Baltimore
06.2023 - 03.2024

Research Assistant

University of Maryland
01.2022 - 07.2024

Research Assistant

University of Maryland
01.2021 - Current

Instructor of Record

University of Maryland
01.2021 - Current

Language Program and Bilingual Coordinator

Your English School
01.2018 - 01.2020

Online ESL Instructor

Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana
06.2017 - 10.2024

Instructional Designer

Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana
01.2017 - 01.2020

Instructor

Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana
01.2014 - 01.2021

Applied Linguistics Lecturer and ESOL Instructor

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
01.2013 - 01.2021

Second Grade language arts bilingual teacher

San Jose Bilingual School
01.2012 - 01.2013

Bilingual Teacher

Cenaculo School
01.2011 - 01.2012

Ph.D. - Applied Linguistics And Language Education

University of Maryland

Master of Arts - Languages and Cultures, Applied Linguistics

Texas Tech University

Certificate - Teaching English in International Contexts

Texas Tech University

BA - Teaching Foreign Languages, Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Honduras
Astrid Sierra