Dania Castillo
Bilingual Teacher
Chicago,IL
Summary
At Horizon Science Academy Belmont, I spearheaded the TBE/TPI and Dual Language One-Way bilingual program enhancements, boosting student learning and family engagement significantly.
Experienced with the Illinois Board of Education (ISBE) regulatory compliance, mandates, and policy implementation. Utilizes analytical skills and attention to detail to ensure adherence to legal standards. Knowledge of collaborating with teams and maintaining up-to-date compliance protocols.
Personable and adaptable with strong ability to connect and communicate effectively in multilingual settings. Possesses cultural awareness and language proficiency, demonstrating skills in program planning and coordination. Capable of fostering inclusive environments and achieving impactful community engagement outcomes.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
1
1
Language
Work History
Bilingual Program Coordinator
Horizon Science Academy Belmont
08.2017 - Current
- Organized professional development workshops for newly hired staff, and returning staff members to improve their understanding of the Illinois Board of Education (ISBE) Language Equity and Access law including cultural diversity and inclusion practices.
- Sourced technical supports such as the Illinois Resource Center (IRC) to guide and develop language support implementation from diverse backgrounds who could enrich the learning experience of participants in dual language programs.
- Promoted cross-cultural understanding among all participants through informative presentations on relevant topics such as traditions, customs, and language nuances.
- Evaluated with IRC that catered specifically to bilingual needs in order to find appropriate partnerships for long-term success.
- Streamlined bilingual program administration by coordinating personnel, schedules, and resources effectively.
- Enhanced communication between English and Spanish-speaking program participants by providing translations in native language, fostering a more inclusive environment.
- Increased community engagement in the bilingual program through targeted outreach initiatives and marketing materials in both languages.
- Maintained clear records of all bilingual programming activities, ensuring accountability and easy reporting to stakeholders such as ISBE, and the District.
- Managed budget allocations for the bilingual program, ensuring resources were utilized efficiently without compromising quality or outcomes.
- Tracked Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) project time, managed multiple priorities and analyzed data from dual-language sources.
- Provided mentoring services for struggling students looking to master new language skills as part of their personal growth journey.
- Data driven collaboratives with other teachers within the organization to ensure seamless coordination of curriculum, modifying and scaffolding lesson plans. Developed strong relationships with local organizations to create collaborative opportunities for our Concept Youth Scholar Program (CYSP) for students expansion and enrichment of native and American culture.
- Developed a strategic plan for program implementation and ongoing maintenance.
- Built highly-efficient administrative team through ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
Office Manager
Student Leadership Department
11.2002 - 07.2017
- Managed vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for cost savings while maintaining high-quality services.
- Maintained accurate financial records by reconciling accounts payable/receivable transactions regularly to ensure balanced budgets.
- Facilitated smooth communication between departments, addressing concerns promptly to maintain harmonious work relationships.
- Enhanced office operational efficiency by streamlining filing systems, resulting in easier access to critical documents.
- Maintained over 50 student clubs
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality of company documents and personnel records.
Education
Master of Arts - Elementary Education 1-6
Dominican University
River Forest, IL 08.2021 - 05.2023
Master of Arts - Higher Education Administration
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL 01.2015 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resources Development
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL 12.2002 - 05.2010
Skills
Fluent bilingualism
Language assessment
Data management
Staff development
Expense tracking
Community building
Teamwork and collaboration
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 5 staff members.
- Collaborated with team of eight in the development of our schools language program TBE/TPI and Dual Language One-way .
Certification
Microsoft Office Specialist, Excel, Word, PowerPoint Certifications – Microsoft Corporation.
Timeline
Master of Arts - Elementary Education 1-6
Dominican University
08.2021 - 05.2023
Bilingual Program Coordinator
Horizon Science Academy Belmont
08.2017 - Current
Master of Arts - Higher Education Administration
Northeastern Illinois University
01.2015 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resources Development
Northeastern Illinois University
12.2002 - 05.2010
Office Manager
Student Leadership Department
11.2002 - 07.2017
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