Cindy Strotman
Educator, English 7-12
Akiak,AK
Summary
Innovative English educator with experience teaching grades 7-12 in both urban and rural settings. Skilled in culturally responsive, project-based learning, digital storytelling, and multimedia journalism. Passionate about empowering students through literacy, critical thinking, and real-world applications of English Language Arts.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
English/Social Studies Teacher 7-12
Yupiit School District, Akiak School
Akiak, AK
07.2021 - Current
- Fulfill all professional responsibilities of a contracted teacher, including overseeing student advisory, maintaining professional communication with stakeholders, teaming with colleagues for cross-curricular lesson planning, providing remediation and individualized/differentiated instructional planning, and attending IEP meetings.
- Plan and instruct courses, including English 7-11; Native American Literature; Creative Writing/Poetry; News Media Production; Journalism 1 & II; Public Speaking & Oral Stories; Outdoor Skills; World History; US History; and Alaska History.
- Design and implement culturally relevant, project-based learning experiences that integrate Yup'ik traditions, storytelling, and community engagement.
- Led place-based learning experiences, including moose harvesting, salmon fishing, and traditional sewing projects, tying literature and composition skills to real-world applications.
- Adapted instruction to meet the needs of ELLs, incorporating Indigenous perspectives and student-driven inquiry into reading and writing assignments.
- Founded and advised the Digital Storytelling Club while working in collaboration with See Stories of Alaska and Alaska Public Media professionals. (Students awarded first place honors in See Stories Spring and Winter Film Showcases and three student production teams had broadcast news stories air statewide on Alaska Public Media and nationally on National Public Radio.
- Sought and awarded grant funding to support digital storytelling initiatives (Donors Choose and See Stories Alaska).
English Teacher 9-12
Gateway High School, Gateway School District
Monroeville, PA
06.1998 - 09.2018
- Served as 9th Grade Curriculum Coordinator, 1998-2016.
- Planned and instructed courses, including Honors and Academic English 9, Inclusion English 9, Academic English 11, Academic Literacy 1 & II, Public Speaking 10-12, Journalism & Broadcasting Communications 10-12, and Composition 12.
- Served as yearbook faculty adviser and earned Jostens Publishing's Cover of the Year, 2003.
- Served as Committee Chair and Primary Trainer for the HS Literacy Team, working closely with Nancy Dean, Associate Director of the National Literacy Project in Gainesville, Florida.
- Utilized Socratic seminars, literature circles, and research-based activities and assignments.
- Integrated technology and media literacy into coursework, ensuring students were prepared for post-secondary education and career readiness.
Education
Master of Science - Community Health Promotion & School Health Educati
West Virginia School of Medicine
Morgantown, WV 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism/Secondary Education
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA 05.2001 -
Accomplishments
- Selected as Youth Cultural Heritage Fellows Grant recipient sponsored by the Alaska State Council on the Arts.
- Chosen to lead See Stories Alaska Afterschool Digital Storytelling initiative at Akiak School. This led to the development and creation of an afterschool digital storytelling and podcasting club for Yup'ik Native students. I also provided feedback and piloted the See Stories digital storytelling curriculum.
- Served as PA Wildlife Leadership Academy Adult Mentor for PA Drummers (ruffed grouse) residential field school, working with PA students ages 16-19.
Certification
Alaska and Pennsylvania Teacher Certified Communications 7-12
Timeline
English/Social Studies Teacher 7-12
Yupiit School District, Akiak School
07.2021 - Current
Master of Science - Community Health Promotion & School Health Educati
West Virginia School of Medicine
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism/Secondary Education
Point Park University
05.2001 -
English Teacher 9-12
Gateway High School, Gateway School District
06.1998 - 09.2018
Alaska and Pennsylvania Teacher Certified Communications 7-12
Alaska Hunter Education Instructor
ELA National Board Certification (11/2009 - 11/2019)
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