CONNIE BARRERA GONZALEZ
Tomball,TX
Summary
Experienced journalist and successful educator with a desire to return to the newsroom. Brings life experience, wisdom, and knowledge gained from a career as a school administrator.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Campus Director
ResponsiveEd/iSchool High University Park
Houston, TX
12.2014 - Current
- Support and manage students/staff, daily operations and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment to promote and encourage the daily success of every student
- Appraise the performance of staff (T-TESS), mentor and reward employees according to Responsive Education’s policies and procedures, and addressing and resolving any issues
- Plan staff professional development alongside Campus Director
- Created and update weekly internal Staff newsletter
- Implement student discipline, attend parent conferences, as well as 504/Special Education meetings
- MTSS Coordinator – Weekly progress monitoring of students, utilizing Check-In/Check-Out sheets, record data in DMAC and spreadsheets for campus accountability
- Journalism Club Advisor (since 2015) – iSchool journalists meet weekly to produce digital newscasts that air each Friday on classroom monitors
- ESL Coordinator and Campus Testing Coordinator duties have transitioned to other staff members as of the fall of 2022
Substitute Teacher
Tomball ISD/Tomball Memorial High School
Tomball, TX
11.2013 - 03.2014
- EOC English/Writing Coach at Tomball Memorial High School
- I was asked to return in the spring after scores increased in the fall
Sixth Grade English Language Arts/Social Studies Bilingual Teacher
Tomball ISD/Tomball Intermediate
Tomball, TX
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Strengthened ELAR competence of students by instructing them in daily warm-ups, small group and read aloud sessions leading up to the STAAR State assessment
- Maintained bilingual documentation for over 60 students to ensure state compliance.
- UIL Ready Writing Coach
- Coached and trained six students for district-level UIL Ready Writing competition resulting in top placements for five individuals.
- Organized Book Walk event for Family Academic Night.
- Created a supportive classroom environment that encouraged students to take risks with the language.
- Encouraged student participation through pair work and individual projects.
- Assisted English learners with developing their English language proficiency while maintaining their native language fluency.
- Attended professional development workshops related to bilingual education best practices.
- Held conferences with parents to address questions, discuss academic progress and encourage learning goals.
Fourth Grade Bilingual Language Arts/Reading Teacher
Aldine ISD/Carmichael Elementary
Houston, TX
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Writing Benchmark scores increased from 26.09% (1st six weeks) to 69.57% (2nd six weeks)
- Reading TAKS Release scores increased: (ESL class) 1st Passing Percentage: 55% with 10% Commended Performance
- (ESL) 2nd Passing Percentage Increase: 75%, with 35% Commended Performance.
- (Bilingual class) 1st Passing Percentage: 39%, with 9% Commended Performance.
- (Bilingual) 2nd Passing Percentage Increase: 74%, with 22% Commended Performance.
- Reading fluency scores increased from an overall class average of 63 (1st six weeks) to 83 (2nd six weeks).
- Teaching with Love and Logic book study.
- Served on the Reading Committee.
- Completed all district-required professional development hours, as well as hours for Region 4 ACP.
- Collaborated with school administrators to ensure that all students were meeting state standards for reading proficiency.
- Encouraged critical thinking through the use of open-ended questions during class discussions.
- Maintained up-to-date records of student attendance, grades, and assessments.
- Promoted positive behavior management techniques while monitoring student conduct in the classroom.
- Established an effective rapport with parents and guardians through regular communication regarding student progress.
- Encouraged love of reading and promoted literacy to students.
- Established positive and engaging classroom environment that was conducive to improving literacy skills.
Freelance Journalist
(Self-Employed)
Houston, TX
01.1997 - 07.2010
- News 24 Houston – On-air traffic anchor
- CNBC – Freelance producer
- CBS Evening News with Dan Rather – Freelance producer for Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy, gathering facts and story ideas as news quickly unfolded hours following the tragedy
- Labrada Nutrition – Public Relations Consultant
- Houston Chronicle – Freelance writer
- KTRK-TV – Associate news producer (contract position)
Media Relations Coordinator (Public Affairs)
Houston Zoo, Inc.
Houston, TX
08.2006 - 10.2008
- Spokesperson for Zoo (Spanish/English)
- Performed all English to Spanish translations for the Zoo.
- Contributed to the revamping of the Zoo's website, creating a new Press Room.
- Collaboratively worked towards creating a superior guest experience in partnership with Marketing team at Houston Zoo
- Generated daily press releases and news advisories for media dissemination, promoting Zoo events and activities.
- Facilitated on-location shoots for media and TV crews at Zoo premises in collaboration with staff and keepers
- Conducted crisis management training sessions for zoo staff in preparation for media interviews
- Managed constant communication with local and national media to enhance PR efforts
- Monitored news coverage to track success of campaigns.
Associate Producer/Contractor - Houston ZooperStars Challenge
KHOU-TV
Houston, TX
06.2005 - 07.2006
- Collaborated in producing challenging and educational segments for an Emmy-nominated reality TV series that was created specifically for children; the series was filmed on location at the Houston Zoo
- Communicated and coordinated with parents of children on the show, while also supervising them during Zoo shoots
- Created and maintained production schedules and adjusted as needed to stay on track for target completion
- Coached and inspired on-air talent to be exciting and engaging
- Stayed calm and polished at all times, even during moments of stress in order to accomplish professional goals and meet deadlines
- Tackled issues immediately to achieve quick and effective resolutions while keeping projects on schedule
News Associate Producer/Producer
KPRC-TV Channel 2/NBC
Houston, TX
01.1993 - 03.1996
- Produced high-quality newscasts driving significant viewer engagement
- Monitored breaking news events as they occurred to update existing stories or develop new ones
- Met deadlines with reliable, in-depth news coverage
- Field-produced various live shots
- Assigned stories to reporters and journalists
- Played a valuable role in producing an award-winning segment for 'TEENZ ON TV', which won an Emmy
- Cultivated relationships with local sources and key figures to reliably produce top-notch news coverage
- Developed connections with public relations contacts, providing exemplary sources for news stories
Education
Alternative Certification Program -
Region 4 Education Service Center
Houston, TX06.2010
Continuing Studies - Screenwriting
Rice University
Houston, TX01.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism with Radio/TV minor
University of Houston
Houston, TX01.1994
Skills
- Social media proficient on all platforms
- Google Suite
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe
- Canva
- Cision MediaSource
- iNEWS
- Learning assessment
- Campus Operations
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Emergency Preparedness
- Community Networking
Organizations
Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Affiliations
- Violinist
- Former Screenwriter/Actor (Represented by Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency)
Timeline
Assistant Campus Director
ResponsiveEd/iSchool High University Park
12.2014 - Current
Substitute Teacher
Tomball ISD/Tomball Memorial High School
11.2013 - 03.2014
Sixth Grade English Language Arts/Social Studies Bilingual Teacher
Tomball ISD/Tomball Intermediate
08.2012 - 05.2013
Fourth Grade Bilingual Language Arts/Reading Teacher
Aldine ISD/Carmichael Elementary
08.2010 - 05.2011
Media Relations Coordinator (Public Affairs)
Houston Zoo, Inc.
08.2006 - 10.2008
Associate Producer/Contractor - Houston ZooperStars Challenge
KHOU-TV
06.2005 - 07.2006
Freelance Journalist
(Self-Employed)
01.1997 - 07.2010
News Associate Producer/Producer
KPRC-TV Channel 2/NBC
01.1993 - 03.1996
Alternative Certification Program -
Region 4 Education Service Center
Continuing Studies - Screenwriting
Rice University
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism with Radio/TV minor
University of Houston
Similar Profiles
Sarah MahmoodSarah Mahmood
Volunteer at Ischool High University ParkVolunteer at Ischool High University Park
ARYASREE REMADEVIARYASREE REMADEVI
Technical and Accessibility Service Assistant at iSchool, University of TorontoTechnical and Accessibility Service Assistant at iSchool, University of Toronto
Melodie FrisbyMelodie Frisby
Teacher – Medically Fragile Student Support at ResponsiveEd Quest CollegiateTeacher – Medically Fragile Student Support at ResponsiveEd Quest Collegiate
Tiffani BishopTiffani Bishop
Director, Vice President at Harris County M.U.D. #368Director, Vice President at Harris County M.U.D. #368
Julie WendtJulie Wendt
Corporate Trainer at CedarGate TecnologiesCorporate Trainer at CedarGate Tecnologies