Carolina Zarate
Aventura,FL
Summary
Senior Instructional Designer with over a decade of experience in higher education, directly applying insights from teaching and developing blended and online courses. I focus on comprehensive curriculum design, empowering faculty with targeted instructional technology training, and consistently applying the Quality Matters (QM) framework to build systematic, engaging, and accessible learning solutions that drive measurable student outcomes. Bilingual (English-Spanish), ensuring effective cross-cultural communication and content relevance.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Spanish Lecturer II
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FL
01.2019 - Current
- Designed and delivered blended and online Spanish courses for multiple proficiency levels, including specialized curricula for health professionals.
- Developed rich multimedia content, interactive assessments, and culturally relevant digital learning materials that significantly enhanced comprehension and active participation.
- Implemented active learning strategies and technology-enhanced instruction to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and improved student success in diverse online and in-person settings.
- Leveraged LMS features to create dynamic learning paths and facilitate engaging synchronous and asynchronous interactions.
Adjunct Spanish Instructor
Broward College
Pembroke Pines, FL
08.2017 - 05.2021
- Taught foundational Spanish courses utilizing blended learning formats, optimizing instructional strategies for both in-person and online components.
- Applied inclusive pedagogical approaches and interactive instructional techniques to support student success and engagement in a community college setting.
- Actively contributed to departmental curriculum refinement discussions and participated in educational technology implementation initiatives.
Coordinator, Elementary Spanish II Section
University of Memphis
08.2015 - 06.2016
- Led and mentored a team of 6 instructors through comprehensive course planning, collaborative evaluation design, and standardized rubric development for a multi-section course.
- Provided direct instructional design support and technical assistance to instructors, resolving course content and technology-related challenges efficiently.
- Proactively addressed complex instructional issues and significantly contributed to the overall instructional design strategy for the elementary Spanish program.
- Facilitated continuous course improvement cycles by gathering and implementing instructor feedback and offering targeted assistance.
Spanish Professor and Instructional Designer
University of Memphis
01.2014 - 06.2016
- Taught, designed, developed, and assessed comprehensive Spanish curricula from foundational grammar to advanced conversational fluency for diverse student populations.
- Spearheaded the creation and integration of digital learning materials, optimizing course content for accessibility, instructional effectiveness, and a blended delivery model.
- Pioneered extracurricular language immersion programs ("La Mesa Española") to cultivate real-world communication skills and cultural understanding beyond the classroom.
- Collaborated extensively with departmental faculty to refine teaching methodologies and contribute to the strategic development of language programs.
- Applied precise linguistic and editorial skills in the review and refinement of Spanish translations for educational materials, including children's books for St. Jude Hospital.
Docent - Bilingual Instructional Content Designer
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
01.2009 - 05.2012
- Led instructional tours and developed accompanying educational content in a museum setting, adapting delivery methods and materials for diverse age groups and knowledge levels in both English and Spanish.
- Authored, edited, and translated specialized museum educational materials for a broad range of visitors, ensuring high-quality, culturally appropriate, and pedagogically sound resources for various learning contexts.
- Completed comprehensive 2-year training in art history and public speaking, demonstrating commitment to continuous learning and the application of specialized knowledge in an educational context.
Bilingual Translation & Interpreting Consultant
Freelance
05.2007 - 05.2012
- Bridged language barriers (English-Spanish) through expert interpretation in educational, healthcare, and legal settings, ensuring effective communication.
- Developed and adapted bilingual content by translating complex documents for nonprofit and legal organizations, enhancing accessibility and understanding for diverse stakeholders.
Instructional Content Developer (Blended Learning)
Qué Tal Language Program
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Taught, designed, and delivered engaging Spanish instructional content for elementary learners, incorporating effective pedagogical methodologies.
- Developed and maintained a supplementary online platform featuring digital exercises and practice activities, demonstrating early experience with blended learning environments and educational technology.
Education
MA - Romance Languages-Spanish
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN01.1995
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration
New Hampshire College
01.1995
Docent Training Program -
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
01.2011
Skills
- Instructional design methodologies: ADDIE and SAM
- Learner-centered design
- Outcomes-based learning
- Blended and online learning: Course development
- Digital content creation
- Hybrid modalities
- Synchronous and asynchronous delivery
- Faculty development and leadership: Training and mentorship
- Curriculum coordination
- Peer support
- Learning management systems: Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle
- Educational technology: Multimedia development
- Interactive tools
- Assessment design
- Accessibility standards
- Quality assurance: Quality Matters framework
- Rubric development
- Course evaluation
- Project management: Curriculum planning
- Timeline management
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Bilingual proficiency: Spanish (Fluent)
- Cross-cultural communication
- Content localization
- Software proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- PC and Mac environments
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Italian
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate Spanish Lecturer II
Nova Southeastern University
01.2019 - Current
Adjunct Spanish Instructor
Broward College
08.2017 - 05.2021
Coordinator, Elementary Spanish II Section
University of Memphis
08.2015 - 06.2016
Spanish Professor and Instructional Designer
University of Memphis
01.2014 - 06.2016
Docent - Bilingual Instructional Content Designer
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
01.2009 - 05.2012
Instructional Content Developer (Blended Learning)
Qué Tal Language Program
01.2009 - 01.2012
Bilingual Translation & Interpreting Consultant
Freelance
05.2007 - 05.2012
MA - Romance Languages-Spanish
University of Memphis
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration
New Hampshire College
Docent Training Program -
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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