Beth Van Oss
PRESCOTT,AZ
Summary
Spanish Instructor/Curriculum Developer for Language learning. I have been a self-motivated and collaborative educator with a demonstrated history of working in the e-learning and traditional education fields. I have more than 15 years in K-12 and more than 20 years in higher education. I am skilled in Lesson Planning, Educational Technology, Instructional Design, and Curriculum and Standard Alignment. Through defining objectives, developing plans, and organizing resources and actions, I have written and delivered successful courses to hundreds of students from elementary to university level. Innovative Bilingual Spanish Teacher with strong written, verbal and student engagement skills. Extensive training in intercultural communication. Creative and resourceful in adapting instructional strategies to various student bodies.
Work History
Spanish Teacher/ Virtual Learning Specialist
Appalachia Unit 8
Altoona, PA
07.2022 - Current
- Integrated technology into classroom settings to engage students and diversify instruction.
- Compiled multidimensional cultural and educational resources for students to expand knowledge of key topics beyond classroom limitations.
- Teach beginning and intermediate Spanish classes in an online forum incorporating asynchronous and synchronous modalities
- Deliver lessons in alignment with standards and research-based instruction including rubrics and assessments
- Work with facilitators and colleagues to develop language classes and components in a comprehensible input model following ACFTL Guidelines
- Prepare and develop lessons in the Spanish and other academics from idea to implementation and delivery
Spanish Instructor
Ignite Learning Academy
Scottsdale, AZ
05.2022 - Current
- Deliver lessons in alignment with standards and research-based instruction including rubrics and assessments
- Teach beginning and intermediate Spanish classes in an online forum incorporating asynchronous and synchronous modalities
- Collaborate with teachers to create and implement meaningful learning experiences that are relevant, authentic and have direct application to everyday life.
- Administer positive and prompt feedback on student progress for self-monitoring.
Spanish Teacher
Sheridan All Prep Academy
Sheridan, OR
08.2021 - Current
- Teach Spanish to students in an asynchronous and synchronous format in weekly Zoom learning sessions and CANVAS LMS
- Teach with inquiry-based methods, design thinking and other innovative methods via an online format
- Engage students to explore other cultures, and their languages by helping them to build intercultural awareness and communications
- Guide and direct students to gain clarity on vocabulary in context and grammatical terms with a blend of Comprehensible Input and Grammatical Contexts
- Create and implement curriculum for learning and teaching through print and digital delivery platforms to reflect American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language (ACTFL) guidelines and State of Oregon requirements
- Develop language acquisition curriculum based in speaking, reading, writing and auditory understanding of Spanish.
- Gather real-time data through traditional assessments with quizzes, exams and essays.
Spanish Teacher - Remote
Laurel Springs School
West Chester, PA
08.2020 - Current
- Teach beginning and intermediate Spanish classes in an online forum incorporating asynchronous and synchronous modalities
- Develop connections with students via online forums, chat rooms, and phone to help students achieve success in Spanish classes
- Deliver specific and personal feedback to students on an individualized basis
- Create iclass lessons, authentic resources classes and informational topics for students and parents.
- Develop language resources to support and supplement instructional activities.
Spanish Instructor
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
08.2012 - Current
- Teach Spanish to degree seeking students in the undergraduate program in both hybrid and online formats
- Advise and mentor students to help meet their educational goals and for student retention
- Use Canvas LMS to increase motivation in both hybrid and online modalities
- Collaborate with colleagues on technology and best practices including standards-based alignment, rubrics, and assessment
- Use OER resources to engage myriad learners and styles
- Adhere to college guidelines for instruction and learner outcomes with minimum supervision.
- Develop curriculum to support distance education and hybrid courses.
- Develop guides and course materials to reinforce lecture information and help students learn.
Spanish Teacher
Bradshaw Mountain High School, Humboldt Unified School District
Prescott Valley, AZ
07.2015 - 07.2022
- Taught beginning, intermediate, and advanced Spanish (including AP Language) to 9th-12th grade students
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure academic rigor and assessment methods that align with ACTFL and AZ State Standards
- Mentored teachers and collaborate in lesson planning, proficiency-based curriculum, and authentic assessment
- Developed curriculum for in-person teaching, hybrid teaching and online teaching formats via technology-based interfaces including Google Classroom and Canvas
- Served on the Response to Intervention (RTI) and Technology Committees in 2016-17, 2017-18
- Cointegrated and implemented a Dual Enrollment Spanish 101/102 class with Yavapai College since 2019
Spanish Teacher
Ashland Middle School, Ashland School District
Ashland, OR
08.2014 - 07.2015
- Taught beginning Spanish to 7th-8th grade students
- Developed curriculum and work with staff to integrate learning in a holistic teaching environment
- Implemented Organic World Language (OWL) immersion methods to teach Spanish in the target language in a proficiency standards approach
- Taught leadership and skills for self-growth, confidence building and group dynamics
- Worked with OneNote, PowerSchool and SmartBoards technology to enhance learning in the classroom
- Created safe and inclusive classroom environment to promote positive learning experience for youth with diverse backgrounds.
Spanish Teacher
Prescott High School, Prescott Unified School District
Prescott, AZ
07.2007 - 07.2014
- Taught beginning, intermediate and advanced Spanish to 9th-12th grade students
- Developed curriculum that integrated state standards, and incorporates grammar and conversation
- Collaborated with colleagues to ensure academic rigor and assessment methods
- Integrated cultural projects that enhanced motivation and learning in a classroom context
- Served as Faculty Chair on the AdvancED Accreditation Survey Committee from 2012-2014
- Mentored and advised students and meet with parents and administration to ensure student success
- Collaborated with colleagues at PUSD and Yavapai College in 2013 and 2014 to implement the Dual Enrollment Spanish class for qualifying students
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
08.2005 - 12.2006
- Taught Beginning and Intermediate Spanish classes to undergraduate students
- Co-developed curriculum and assessment techniques with colleagues, advisors, and faculty
- Integrated technology, music and cultural events into classrooms to accentuate comprehensible input, OER Resources and authentic resources into the classroom context
- Developed and integrated cultural units on incorporating authentic music and using legends such as ‘La Llorona’ as learning tools.
- Adhered to university requirements for student assignments, testing and grading of work.
- Developed guides and course materials to reinforce lecture information and help students learn.
- Researched and developed innovative learning methods to optimize learning processes.
- Established objectives for lessons, modules and projects.
Instructor
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ
08.1997 - 05.2004
- Taught Socratic style courses in the Human Development, Adventure Education, and Cultural and Regional Studies
- Programs to undergraduate students at a small liberal arts college
- Courses taught: Spanish Intensive, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Foundations of Experiential
- Education, Small Group Dynamics, Experiential Education Practicum, Group Process for Adventure Educators
- Coordinated and facilitated training, encouraging group participation and ownership.
- Performed assessments focused on long and short-term student needs to develop individualized education program.
- Leveraged technology and provided instructional materials to facilitate active learning.
Lead Instructor, Course Director, Staff Trainer
Voyageur Outward Bound School
Ely, MN
05.1990 - 08.1998
- Delivered curriculum that integrated technical skills and people skills in adventure education
- Developed relationships with land agencies and locals for access with user days and service projects
- Taught skills such as whitewater and flat-water canoeing, desert and alpine backpacking, ropes courses, rock climbing, dog sledding, food planning and preparation, group development skills, service learning, conflict resolution, goals clarification, and cross-cultural learning
- Facilitated these skills as week-long to semester-long field courses in MN, AZ, NM, Mexico, and Canada for students ranging from 14-60 years of age
- Mentored, trained, and developed staff trainings for all staff training and specialized training sessions (group dynamics, specific skill sets such as logistical settings, etc.)
Education
Master of Arts - Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish
12.2006
Master of Science - Experiential Education
12.1997
Bachelor of Arts - English
12.1989
Skills
- Google Classroom
- Canvas LMS Course Development
- Microsoft Office
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Program Development
- Academic Counseling
- Spanish and language skills Instruction
- Instructional Materials Preparation
- Relationship Building and
- Lesson Planning in Proficiency and Standards Based Assessments
- Classroom Management and test Proctoring
- Faculty Collaboration and Support
- Parent/Guardian and Student Communication
- Facilitation and Creating Compelling Curriculum
- Development and Proficiency
Certification
- Certified Teacher K-12 Spanish, State of AZ - 2007-Present
- Certified Teacher K-12 Spanish, State of OR - 2014-Present
- Certification in Immersion Language Training and Methodology, Organic World Language, Medford, OR - 2014
- Certification in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Shala, Yoga Oasis, Prescott AZ and Tucson, AZ 2009 and 2010
- Wilderness First Responder, American Red Cross CPR Certification, 1990-Present
Languages
Scholarship
Prescott College
Co-taught and developed the Prescott College course entitled Spanish Intensive – Collaborated and coordinated intercultural experiences with Prescott College students and students from the Instituto Tecnológico de Mazatlán in Mazatlán, México.
Sept. 17, 2003 article entitled ‘La Otra Mitad’ in Noroeste highlighted our courses
Prescott Unified School District, Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy
Developed and co-led a 4-day trip to Kino Bay, Mexico for Prescott High School students in which we learned about the culture, marine life and language. (2008)
Prescott College
Presented “El uso del corrido para entender la frontera con mayor eficaz”, Prescott College Advanced Spanish Class through the Prescott College Extended Studies Courses. (2010)
Chapel Rock Conference Center and Prescott Unified School District
Led students in a Spanish-speaking ropes course event throughout the school year to encourage them to speak Spanish more spontaneously and give commands, etc. in Spanish. Article in the Prescott Courier in Spring 2011 highlights these events. (2010 - 2014)
Southwest Conference of Language Teachers
Co-Presented at the Southwest Conference for Language Teachers – based on an article written for publication on ‘The Use of Corridos in the K-12 and College Classroom’ (2012)
Yavapai County Educators and Yavapai College
Presented Language Based Programming to the TriCities Area Language Conference in Prescott, AZ (2013)
Organic World Language, Portland, OR
Participated in and completed training in immersion based training methods for language teachers. Developed curriculum with administrators and colleagues in accordance with the Organic World Language method and pedagody, and OR state standards
(2015)
Yavapai County Education Foundation
Recipient of a Yavapai County Educational Foundation Mini Grant - Heritage Spanish Speakers Project
(2019)
Timeline
Spanish Teacher/ Virtual Learning Specialist - Appalachia Unit 8
07.2022 - Current
Spanish Instructor - Ignite Learning Academy
05.2022 - Current
Spanish Teacher - Sheridan All Prep Academy
08.2021 - Current
Spanish Teacher - Remote - Laurel Springs School
08.2020 - Current
Spanish Teacher - Bradshaw Mountain High School, Humboldt Unified School District
07.2015 - 07.2022
Spanish Teacher - Ashland Middle School, Ashland School District
08.2014 - 07.2015
Spanish Instructor - Yavapai College
08.2012 - Current
Spanish Teacher - Prescott High School, Prescott Unified School District
07.2007 - 07.2014
Graduate Teaching Assistant - Northern Arizona University
08.2005 - 12.2006
Instructor - Prescott College
08.1997 - 05.2004
Lead Instructor, Course Director, Staff Trainer - Voyageur Outward Bound School
05.1990 - 08.1998
Northern Arizona University - Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish
Minnesota State University - Mankato - Master of Science, Experiential Education
Northern Michigan University - Bachelor of Arts, English
- Certified Teacher K-12 Spanish, State of AZ - 2007-Present
- Certified Teacher K-12 Spanish, State of OR - 2014-Present
- Certification in Immersion Language Training and Methodology, Organic World Language, Medford, OR - 2014
- Certification in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Shala, Yoga Oasis, Prescott AZ and Tucson, AZ 2009 and 2010
- Wilderness First Responder, American Red Cross CPR Certification, 1990-Present
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