Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Accomplishments
Quote
Interests
Volunteer
CHRISTINA FERRARA, Ed.D.

CHRISTINA FERRARA, Ed.D.

Hawley,PA

Summary

Enthusiastic job seeker, lifelong learner, and detail-oriented team player with an extensive background in world cultures, global human rights, intercultural competence, educational leadership, and student development. Natural-born empathic leader, problem-solver, and relationship-builder with sound judgment and flexible mindset. Desire growth-oriented administrative position in an energetic, diverse, and engaging higher education environment.

Work History

Social Studies Department Chairperson

Wallenpaupack Area School District
Hawley, PA
10.2008 - Current
  • Guide and support faculty and staff in development of new programs
  • Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to identify and address institutional challenges such as cultural diversity
  • Devise programs to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among staff, faculty, and students
  • Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment
  • Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility
  • Work effectively in fast-paced environments
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
  • Create and implement new course curriculum
  • Manage and allocate social studies department budget, and approve requisitions
  • Compose student recommendations for scholarships and universities
  • Calculate highest GPA for social studies honors award
  • Manage and supervise departmental faculty
  • Organize and lead monthly department meetings
  • Manage time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines

World Cultures & Global Human Rights Teacher

Wallenpaupack Area School District
Hawley, PA
10.1992 - Current
  • Design and implement various classroom activities and assessment methods to promote retention of study materials
  • Supervise student teachers and observers for social studies certification
  • Attend professional development workshops to maintain expertise in pedagogy
  • Maintain regular verbal and written communication with school counselors and parents to update on student progress
  • Participate in school district meetings and parent-teacher conferences to give insight into student progress and curriculum plans
  • Provide mentorship to students regarding academic, social, and emotional issues
  • Promote culture of inclusion, respect, and collaboration in classroom
  • Establish good rapport with students, staff, and faculty
  • Manage and maintain good classroom control for conducive learning environment
  • Manage 80 to 90 students per school week each semester
  • Encourage students to take active role in learning and academic success

Councilperson

Borough of Hawley
Hawley, PA
09.2016 - 01.2022
  • Set policies and enforced fair and equitable application of ordinances
  • Reviewed, approved, and managed budgets for annual operations and capital improvement projects
  • Represented 1,152 constituents and maintained positive community outreach
  • Kept up with news on daily basis to stay informed about local, regional, national, and international events
  • Developed team communications and information for monthly council meetings
  • Used public gatherings, community events, and direct relations to keep constituents happy and informed
  • Rode alongside Chief of Police to distribute food baskets donated by council members to constituents in need during coronavirus pandemic
  • Chaired both Landlord/Tenant and Personnel committees
  • Interviewed and vetted potential candidates for borough employment
  • Fostered climate of collaboration between general public, borough mayor, and council members
  • Developed and strengthened political partnerships to further agendas

World History/English Volunteer Teacher

Marist Brothers High School
Pago Pago, American Samoa
09.1988 - 07.1989
  • Devised and implemented lesson plans reflecting student educational, cultural, and language diversity
  • Created and supported positive educational environment for student learning
  • Educated students regarding world history and influencing factors
  • Well-informed on ethnocentric attitudes and implicit bias teaching American Samoan students
  • Implemented differentiated instructional strategies within classroom.
  • Prepared various classroom activities and assessment methods to promote retention of study materials.
  • Taught world history and English to 20 to 25 students in classroom setting
  • Established professional rapport with students and displayed genuine curiosity in learning about Samoan culture

Education

Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership

Maryville University
St Louis, MO
02.2021 - 09.2023

Master of Education -

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations

Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, PA

Skills

  • Attention to Detail
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Problem-Solving
  • Multitasking
  • Empathy
  • Leadership
  • Intercultural
  • Collaboration
  • Adaptability
  • Reliability & Trustworthiness
  • Advocate
  • Active Listening
  • Social Justice
  • MS Office
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Student Engagement
  • Classroom Management Techniques
  • Diverse Student Populations
  • Instructional Strategies
  • Critical Thinking Skills

Affiliations

National Education Association

Pennsylvania State Education Association

National Council for the Social Studies

The Chronicle of Higher Education

True North Intercultural

Harvard Business Review

Forbes

Medium


Timeline

Doctor of Education - Higher Education Leadership

Maryville University
02.2021 - 09.2023

Councilperson

Borough of Hawley
09.2016 - 01.2022

Social Studies Department Chairperson

Wallenpaupack Area School District
10.2008 - Current

World Cultures & Global Human Rights Teacher

Wallenpaupack Area School District
10.1992 - Current

World History/English Volunteer Teacher

Marist Brothers High School
09.1988 - 07.1989

Master of Education -

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations

Saint Joseph's University

Accomplishments

  • Volunteered at Pike County Humane Society 2018-2019
  • Completed 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification through Yoga Alliance 2019
  • Donated time at the Wayne County Emergency Food Distribution Center to assemble and dispense food to needy families April-May 2020 during pandemic
  • Helped coordinate peaceful Black Lives Matter student protest June 2020
  • Organized "Town-Wide Graduation Send-Off " for Seniors June 2020
  • Elected to Hawley Borough Council (2016-2021)
  • Voluntarily taught a semester independent study course to a senior student Spring 2022
  • Collaborated with team of 15 in the development of "Ukrainian Awareness Week" fundraiser in March 2022
  • Led team of 12 in the development of "Celebrating Jewish Heritage Day," and hosting of Holocaust survivor and speaker, Dorothea Szczesniak, in May 2023
  • Voluntarily tutor social studies students

Quote

"Don't be intimidated by what you don't know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else."
Sara Blakely

Interests

Yoga, Meditation, Nonfiction Reading, Current Events & Politics, Cultural Activities, Ethnic Restaurants, Travel, Rescue Dogs

CHRISTINA FERRARA, Ed.D.