CHRISTINE WELCH
Stephens City,VA
Summary
Civic engagement leader and educator with extensive experience in program management, student leadership development, community partnership cultivation, and college-level instruction. Proven ability to design and assess service-learning initiatives, supervise student leaders and volunteers, manage stakeholder networks, and facilitate reflective learning experiences. Background spans secondary education leadership, nonprofit agency coordination, higher education administration, and international service governance. Committed to advancing high-impact, community-engaged learning practices.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
English Department Head & English Instructor
Sherando High School
Stephens City, VA
08.2017 - Current
- Lead curriculum development initiatives to enhance educational outcomes and align with state standards.
- Mentor faculty and facilitate collaborative planning to ensure academic rigor and vertical alignment.
- Design and deliver research-based English curriculum emphasizing rhetoric, critical inquiry, and civic literacy.
- Teach Dual Enrollment ENG 245, aligning instruction with college-level academic standards and assessment practices.
- Maintain collaborative relationships with administration, families, and community stakeholders.
- Coordinated professional development programs for faculty, fostering continuous improvement and instructional effectiveness.
- Managed department budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum impact on company goals.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering teamwork, open communication, and recognition of accomplishments among employees.
Key Club Advisor
Sherando High School
Stephens City, VA
08.2017 - Current
- Facilitated student engagement through organized club meetings and activities.
- Collaborated with faculty to align club initiatives with school policies and objectives.
- Mentored students in leadership roles, fostering teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Coordinated logistics for events, ensuring all resources were available and prepared on time.
- Evaluated student feedback to enhance future club activities and initiatives.
- Established partnerships with local organizations to create opportunities for collaboration and networking events.
- Collaborated with other advisors to share best practices, facilitating cross-club learning opportunities.
- Fostered a sense of pride in the club''s shared values and mission, inspiring members to contribute their unique skills and talents for the betterment of the organization.
- Managed club budget, service-hour documentation, fundraising initiatives, and event logistics effectively.
Head Swim Coach
Sherando High School
Stephens City, VA
07.2024 - Current
- Supervise and mentor student-athletes in leadership, accountability, and goal setting.
- Develop performance benchmarks and monitor measurable improvement across the season.
- Coordinate competitions, program logistics, and stakeholder communication.
- Led team practices, focusing on skill development and competitive strategies.
- Organized swim meets, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and event logistics.
- Fostered a positive team culture, promoting sportsmanship and athlete engagement.
English Language Arts Teacher
Signal Knob Middle School
Strasburg, VA
08.2013 - 06.2017
- Developed engaging lesson plans to enhance student understanding of language arts concepts.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet diverse learning needs within classroom.
- Collaborated with fellow educators to improve curriculum alignment and educational outcomes.
- Assessed student performance through various evaluation methods to ensure academic growth.
English Language Arts Teacher
Elmira City Schools
Elmira, NY
09.2008 - 06.2013
- Taught Common Core English Language Arts Curriculum at Alternative High School
- Designed and implemented curriculum integrating service-learning and real-world issue analysis.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary units, promoting a more holistic understanding of language arts.
- Fostered a supportive learning environment that celebrated diversity and nurtured the unique talents of each individual learner.
- Coordinated Learn and Serve America Grant, including data collection, reporting, and compliance documentation.
- Collaborated with local leaders and organizations to connect classroom learning with civic engagement.
- Facilitated reflective dialogue to support experiential learning outcomes.
Agency Services Coordinator
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Elmira, NY
05.2007 - 08.2008
- Managed relationships with 130+ nonprofit partner agencies, including recruitment, onboarding, auditing, retention, and compliance oversight.
- Organized and executed annual conference for 200+ volunteers and 15 presenters.
- Developed marketing and communication materials to strengthen engagement and information dissemination.
- Supervised volunteers, provided training, and implemented performance feedback systems.
Administrative Assistant – Student Employment
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
01.2006 - 05.2007
- Managed employment records and HR compliance documentation for 7,000+ student employees.
- Maintained Federal Work-Study program files and I-9 eligibility documentation.
- Provided policy guidance to faculty, staff, and students regarding employment systems and procedures.
- Oversaw database management and security authorizations.
Education
Master of Science - General Education
Elmira College
Elmira, NYBachelor of Arts - English
St. John Fisher College
Rochester, NYSkills
- Civic & Community Engagement Programming
- Service-Learning Curriculum Design & Assessment
- Student Leadership Development
- Community Partnership Management
- Program Oversight & Compliance Reporting
- Workshop Facilitation & Public Speaking
- Budget Management
- Volunteer Supervision
- Cross-Institutional Collaboration
- Higher Education Academic Instruction
Timeline
Head Swim Coach
Sherando High School
07.2024 - Current
English Department Head & English Instructor
Sherando High School
08.2017 - Current
Key Club Advisor
Sherando High School
08.2017 - Current
English Language Arts Teacher
Signal Knob Middle School
08.2013 - 06.2017
English Language Arts Teacher
Elmira City Schools
09.2008 - 06.2013
Agency Services Coordinator
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
05.2007 - 08.2008
Administrative Assistant – Student Employment
Cornell University
01.2006 - 05.2007
Master of Science - General Education
Elmira College
Bachelor of Arts - English
St. John Fisher College
Volunteer Experience
- Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge-Winchester, Key Club Advisor/Club Member, Winchester, VA, 2017-Present
- Kiwanis Club of Southport, President, Elmira, NY, 2009-10: Lead strategic planning and committee operations for community service initiatives., Coordinate volunteer schedules and maintain service impact records., Represent organization in district meetings and collaborative service efforts., Delegate responsibilities and implement accountability procedures.
- Broadway Middle School, Advisor, Builder’s Club, Elmira, NY, 2006-2013: Supervise 80+ student volunteers and co-advisors in service projects and fundraising initiatives., Manage annual fundraising efforts generating $3,000+ for local charities., Maintain organizational budget and communication systems.
- Circle K International, International Trustee, 2004-2005: Served as liaison to three international districts, maintaining executive-level communication., Delivered presentations to audiences of 600+ participants., Assisted in coordination of large-scale service projects and international conferences., Maintained cross-district professional relationships and governance communication.
Professional Strengths for Engaged Learning Leader
- Experience managing large partner networks (130+ agencies)
- Grant reporting and compliance oversight
- Supervision of student leaders, volunteers, and program participants
- College-level teaching experience (Dual Enrollment and Adjunct)
- Background in nonprofit coordination and higher education administration
- Longstanding engagement in international and community-based service organizations
Awards
National Honor Society Teacher of the Year, 2022
Sherando High School Teacher of the Year, 2025
Dale Q. Larson Key Club Faculty Advisor Award, 2025