Dr. Sandra C. Medina
Summit,New Jersey
Summary
Versatile, multi-skilled, and dedicated bilingual professional with over ten years of experience in teaching, leading workshops, planning events, and making intellectual presentations seeks a position to utilize her pedagogical strategies, technological expertise and motivational personality to lead a group of professionals while teaching Spanish and facilitating collaborations and the development of community and educational programs. Experience working with a diverse body of people, including ELLs, minority, and unconventional students.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Spanish Teacher
Kent Place School
08.2021 - Current
- Teach four Spanish courses in an academic year.
- Developed curriculum for the course "Women's Voices"
- Design and teach classes with a variety of pedagogical methods, such as the use of space and technology, to promote students' learning.
- Guide Independent Students in the development and execution of their own designed courses.
- Co-Propose and co-execute Global Trips (Spain 2023; Costa Rica 2024) to amplify the visibility of the World Language Department.
- Collaborate with school administrators to design courses that align with the school's mission.
- Collaborate with primary school teachers in the development of exchange activities for students in the Upper and Primary school.
- Collaborate with Middle School teachers and administrators to provide Middle schoolers a smooth transition to the Upper School.
- Collaborate with other Departments to create interdisciplinary opportunities for students.
- Proposed and Designed the interdisciplinary course "Displacements: The Latinx Experience," which gives students credit in the English or History Department.
- Facilitate discussions with students who identify as Latinx on issues regarding biases, prejudice, discrimination, and racism to create a sense of belonging as the Latinx Affinity facilitator and Latinx club leader.
- Advise students
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
Rutgers University, Center for Latin American Studies
12.2018 - Current
- Teach "Intro to Latin America" in the Summer.
- Clinically assess students' skills and knowledge through assignments, tests, and written work
- Devise various teaching aids, multimedia visual aids, and study materials for students utilizing appropriate computer technology to enhance the student learning process
- Encourage in-class discussions and group discussions by creating groups amongst students to encourage interactive and communication skills and knowledge sharing.
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Rutgers University
01.2013 - 05.2021
- Taught in different departments such as the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, the Department of Latino and Caribbean Studies, the Comparative Literature Program, and the English Writing program
- Facilitated the development of students' analytical skills
- Clarified concepts through close-reading techniques and lessons on analytic interpretations
- Collaborated in the development and design of courses to tackle specific analytical skills
- Designed lessons with visuals, technology, games, and group work to facilitate language learning
- Supported students' academic progress by providing one-on-one attention to help guide learning and comprehension
- Supported students in need of extra support with close mentoring and project assistance
- Fellow at the Rutgers Teaching Assistant Project, Lead workshops on Intrinsic Motivation, Diversity in the Classroom, Active Learning teaching approaches, and Language learning
- Observed and Trained new teaching assistants.
ENGLISH TO SPANISH TRANSLATOR
Duke University, Washington University, Pittsburg University, and Rutgers University
05.2020 - 06.2020
- Translated from English to Spanish the Survey for the project 'Children, COVID-19, and Its Consequences'
- Reviewed material and converted scripts into other languages, preserving original meaning and context
- Upheld strict confidentiality when translating personal and diplomatic materials.
CO-COORDINATOR
Thursday's at the Movies' series, Rutgers University
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Co-arranged visits with important filmmakers from Latin America
- Researched recent film productions, evaluated student's possible reception, and contacted distributors to arrange the screening of four films during each academic semester
- Collaborated with the director of the Center for Latin American Studies in the selection of titles, creation of flyers, advertisement, and presentations.
ENGLISH TUTOR
Hudson County Community College
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Assisted Adult English Language Learners developing English language skills necessary to succeed in a community college or a four-year university.
Education
PH.D. - SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE -
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ05.2021
MASTER OF ARTS - SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE - Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ05.2015
BACHELOR OF ARTS - SPANISH AND ENGLISH, Pedagogy Program -
Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ05.2013
Skills
- Compelling classroom management
- Successful interpersonal relationships
- Impressive problem-solving skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Effective project management skills
- Excellent Writing Skills
Certification
- Rutgers Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellow 2018-Present
- Rutgers Teaching Assistant Project Certificate 2013-2014
- Rutgers Language Institute Workshop Project Certificate 2013-2014
- New Jersey Department of Education/ Teacher of English June 2013
Awards
- Public Catastrophes, Private Losses" interdisciplinary seminar, Institute for Research on Women, 2018-2019
- Aldolfo Snaidas Essay Prize, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, 2018
- Executive Women of New Jersey Graduate Award, Executive Women of New Jersey Organization, 2018
- Rutgers Pre-Doctoral Leadership Development Academy Fellowship, 2018
Service to the Community
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Hispanic Heritage Month leader and presenter, 2022
- Hispanic Heritage Month leader and presenter, 2023
- LATINX NIGHT leader and organizer-2023
- Learn, Lived, Lead session facilitator, 2023
Body positivity discussion
Latinx Affinity spaces
- Interim Upper School Division Director Hiring Committee, 2023
- “Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity,” SEED Committee participant, 2023-24
- DEIB Task Force Participant, 2022
- Latinx Affinity group facilitator, 22-24
- Salsa performer and teacher
Delbarton School, 2022
Arts Festival at Kent Place, 2023
- Collaboration with the primary school Spanish teacher, Dora Gragg to create cross divisional opportunities for students taking Spanish,
A discussion of the film Encanto, 2022
Fashion and clothing, 2023
- Invited speaker for the Girls Leadership Institute, Summer 2023
- Judge for the Middle School poster competition, 2023
- Summer placement test grader and proctor, 22-23
Trip Leader/Chaperone:
- AP English: Displacements
Field trip to Queens, NY, Fall 2023
- Spanish Trip:
Field trip to Repertorio Español, Spring 2023
- Global Trips:
Leader of the global trip to Spain, 2022
Leader of the global trip to Costa Rica, 2023
Volunteered to chaperone:
- 10th grade trip, 2022
- The MET; Latin and Visual Arts Department class trip, 2022-23
- Biology trip to Summit Arboretum, 2023
- Six Flags trip, 2022
- Six Flags trip, 2023
- ILMUNC, 2023
- ILMUNC, 2024
Professional Development
- Attendee/ACTFL Convention, 2022
- Attendee/NAIS People of Color Conference, 2022
- Attendee/Innovation and Collaboration Conference, August 2022
- Presenter/Innovation and Collaboration Conference, August 2023
- Attendee/Leading from the Middle: Department Chair Workshop, 2023
- Attendee/NJAIS Leadership Institute, 2023-24
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Elementary
Timeline
Spanish Teacher
Kent Place School
08.2021 - Current
ENGLISH TO SPANISH TRANSLATOR
Duke University, Washington University, Pittsburg University, and Rutgers University
05.2020 - 06.2020
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
Rutgers University, Center for Latin American Studies
12.2018 - Current
CO-COORDINATOR
Thursday's at the Movies' series, Rutgers University
01.2017 - 01.2020
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Rutgers University
01.2013 - 05.2021
ENGLISH TUTOR
Hudson County Community College
01.2006 - 01.2009
PH.D. - SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE -
Rutgers University
MASTER OF ARTS - SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE - Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
Rutgers University
BACHELOR OF ARTS - SPANISH AND ENGLISH, Pedagogy Program -
Montclair State University
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