AVRIL SOMERVILLE
Glenside,PA
Summary
Adept writer experienced in public and higher education with superb interpersonal and organizational skills. Excels as a collaborator fostering diverse and inclusive spaces. Demonstrated track record of nurturing student excellence and wholeness as an English and writing instructor. Passionate about creating an environment for student success and empowerment.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Writer and Founder
SomerEmpress Publishing, Inc.
01.2015 - Current
- Creator and lead instructor for Why We Must Write, suite of personal narrative writing workshops for aspiring authors and college essay writing programs for college-bound students
- Founder of incorporated independent micro-press platform for writing and publishing print and e-books
- Editor and writing coach to authors for publication and individuals for a range of personal and professional purposes and audiences
- Author of A Journey of Life on Purpose: Creativity, Love, Womanhood, Community, Race, and Identity, nonfiction work of essays and poetry
High School English Teacher
Cheltenham School District
08.2017 - 06.2024
- Leveraged holistic project-based learning model driven by design thinking, iteration, disciplinary depth, collaboration and authenticity to create products and solutions serving Cheltenham community
- Built community as CHS Poetry Club Chair and led students to victory in annual Cheltenham High School Poetry Slam
- Ensured fair dispensation of restorative justice as member of Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel Program
- Engaged and instructed 11th and 12th graders in alignment with English Literature curriculum and ensured student outcomes in writing, comprehension, and public speaking
- Monitored student performance data to improve learning outcomes
Managing Partner
E.C. Somerville Diversified, LLC
01.2005 - 12.2015
- Planned and conducted quarterly fundraisers for community-based charities serving under-served in Chicago metropolitan area
- Assigned consulting services, issued by Senior Partner, to meet strategic business needs of small business owners, startups, and nonprofits
- Oversaw fiscal responsibility including, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis
Alumni Office Coordinator
Randolph-Macon College
03.2003 - 03.2005
- Collaborated directly with Executive Director of Alumni Relations, administrative offices, and outside vendors to plan, coordinate, and monitor logistics for average of ten events per year, including Homecoming, class reunions, career networking programs, and Society of Alumni bi-annual workshops
- Researched and analyzed alumni giving and attendance records to identify trends and patterns and create targeted alumni programs
- Trained and supervised work-study student assistants
- Expanded use of alumni online community as primary tool for alumni event registration and engagement
Independent Curriculum & Assessment Consultant
Scantron Corp.
11.2001 - 03.2003
- Ensured 100% alignment of Franklin Charter School's curriculum objectives with New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS)
- Prepared course overviews, training materials, and learning objectives for clients
- Presented and trained school districts on use of assessment and curriculum software
First Grade Teacher
Franklin Charter School
08.1999 - 12.2001
- Coordinated all aspects of classroom management, lesson planning, instruction, and parent communication to deliver best-in-class education to average class size of 15 students opting out of traditional public school system
- Achieved 50-75% growth in fluency of 85-90% of students on National Assessment of Educational Progress Fluency Scale
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process
Founder, Sales Management Development Program
Johnson & Johnson
06.1996 - 06.1999
- Principal founder and pilot member of cross-functional Sales Management Development Program (SMDP) designed to prepare younger MBA graduate hires for sales management careers and increase diversity
- Completed successful rotations as Assistant Category Manager, Assistant Customer Marketing Manager, Account Manager, and Assistant Trade Marketing Manager
- Grew sales by $650,000 through comprehensive category management reviews representing 15% of total company sales
- Launched four new consumer products and set pricing and promotional strategies in collaboration with brand marketing, field sales management, and operations
Education
MBA - Business Administration
Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College
State College, PABA - English Literature
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PASkills
- Outstanding writing abilities
- Critical thinking
- Relationship building
- Editing
- Strong research skills
- Project-based learning
- Student-centered learning
- Differentiated instruction
Certification
- Project-Based Learning Certification, UPENN Graduate School of Education
- Advanced Placement Language & Composition Certification, Carleton College
- Secondary English (7-12) Teacher Certification, PA
- PK-4 Teacher Certification, PA
Timeline
High School English Teacher
Cheltenham School District
08.2017 - 06.2024
Writer and Founder
SomerEmpress Publishing, Inc.
01.2015 - Current
Managing Partner
E.C. Somerville Diversified, LLC
01.2005 - 12.2015
Alumni Office Coordinator
Randolph-Macon College
03.2003 - 03.2005
Independent Curriculum & Assessment Consultant
Scantron Corp.
11.2001 - 03.2003
First Grade Teacher
Franklin Charter School
08.1999 - 12.2001
Founder, Sales Management Development Program
Johnson & Johnson
06.1996 - 06.1999
- Project-Based Learning Certification, UPENN Graduate School of Education
- Advanced Placement Language & Composition Certification, Carleton College
- Secondary English (7-12) Teacher Certification, PA
- PK-4 Teacher Certification, PA
MBA - Business Administration
Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College
BA - English Literature
Swarthmore College
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