Hi, I’m
Elke Damesyn
Davis,CA
Summary
With over 20 years of national and international teaching experience, I have developed a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive teaching philosophy for Adult Online Learning. Over the past 8 years, my focus has been on empowering Afghan women both in the US and Afghanistan. As the founder of the Institute for English Literacy (a 501(c)(3) organization), I secured a $100,000 grant for three months in 2024. This grant was used to implement an online program for teaching English and computer skills to 400 Afghan girls and women and to train 30 teachers. This project has enhanced my skills in project development, project management, and teacher training.
Overview
24
years of professional experience
1
Adult Education Teaching Credential
1
Administrative and Services Credential
Work History
Institute for English Literacy (IEL)Davis
Founder of the Institute for English Literacy - IEL
11.2020 - Current
Job overview
- Secured and managed a $100,000 grant to implement a 3-month online program serving 300 Afghan women.
Developed and delivered ESL instruction to Afghan, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish speakers. - Designed curricula for ESL, life skills, and computer literacy across multiple proficiency levels.
- Planned and taught lessons for up to 5 levels simultaneously; managed 3 classrooms with paraeducator support.
- Built and supervised a growing instructional team; trained para-educators and admin staff.
- Authored monthly EL Civics readers tailored to different proficiency levels.
- Registered, assessed, and tracked student progress (CASAS) every 6 weeks.
- Initiated a preschool concept within the ESL program to support student-parents.
- Collaborated with First Five Yolo and International House Davis on special community projects.
- Oversaw office logistics, student behavior support systems, and family outreach efforts.
- Directed technological improvements to reach more students.
UNESCO
Grant Recipient
04.2024 - 07.2024
Job overview
- Secured, planned, and implemented a $100,000 grant to pilot for a 3-month online adult education project, delivering instruction to 400 Afghan women across Afghanistan.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Training: Trained 30 teachers and TAs in a webinar and in-person in technical focused technology integration and trauma-informed teaching
- Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
- Research: Investigated technology-related delivery methods for online and in-person training, including Chromebooks, tablets, apps, and smartphones
- Integration: Integrated mobile technology platforms into professional development training operations, programs, and online teaching
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
- Versatile professional with strong problem-solving skills and history of adapting to diverse challenges. Applies innovative solutions and technical expertise to deliver exceptional results. Committed to streamlining processes and advancing organizational objectives.
- Worked collaboratively with instructors, administrators, other professional development providers and NGOs operating in Afghanistan
- Collected and organized data related to student learning.
- Researched and presented information on technology integration topics
- Created reports and policies related content to online teaching
- Planned and coordinated technical training/presentation for international conference in Doha in June 2024
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Support and Conduct Workshops: Supported and conducted online workshops as needed
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
Highlands Community Charter and Technical SchoolSacramento, California
ELD Instructor
06.2017 - 07.2020
Job overview
- ESL Instruction: Teaching English as a Second Language to Afghan, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish speakers.
- Curriculum Development: Creating teaching materials and computer literacy curriculum for beginners.
- Lesson Planning: Organizing daily lessons for 4-5 levels.
Classroom Management: Setting up and teaching 3 classrooms with 5 levels each morning alongside 2 para-educators. - Team Development: Building and overseeing a teaching team as the classes expanded.
- Training: Instructing para-educators and administrators.
Resource Creation: Writing monthly EL Civics readers for various proficiency levels. - Logistics: Setting up new office space.
- Initiating a preschool concept within the ESL program.
- Collaborating with childcare staff to address and find solutions for student children's behavior.
- Registering and assessing students (CASAS) every 6 weeks
World Relief
ESL Manager
01.2016 - 12.2016
Job overview
- ESL Training: Developed and conducted ESL training and tutorials for volunteers
- Course Development: Created and taught English courses for pre-literate (L1 and L2) Afghan women
- Collaboration: Worked with refugee resettlement agencies, the Department of Human Assistance, Twin Rivers Unified School District, and other organizations
- Cultural Orientation: Developed and assisted with Afghan cultural orientation
- Outreach: Contacted refugees to connect them with ESL volunteers
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
Sacramento State UniversitySacramento, CA
ESL Instructor
01.2010 - 12.2016
Job overview
- Instructed 300 international students in English from beginner to higher intermediate levels
- Taught courses in reading, grammar, composition, listening and speaking presentation, and pronunciation
- Created 5 reading course handbooks, a vocabulary art program, and critical thinking concepts
- Mentored 3 TESOL Master's students, including those from CSUS
- Established partnerships with the CSUS Department of Audio and Speech Pathology
- Collaboration: Established partnerships with the CSUS Department of Audio and Speech Pathology
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Tailored lesson plans to accommodate differences in learning styles and speeds.
- Delivered and developed lesson plans by using broad range of teaching techniques and strategies.
- Attended team meetings with fellow bilingual teachers to integrate curriculum and improve student learning.
- Provided supportive, nurturing learning environment to encourage student responsibility.
- Established clear objectives for lessons and units to communicate objectives to 25 students per semester.
- Developed activities and integrated technology to diversify instruction.
- Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
- Educated students in basics of English grammar and conversational speaking.
- Supported students holistically to achieve academic success.
- Promoted critical thinking to build subject engagement and interaction.
Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
German Instructor
01.2001 - 12.2003
Job overview
- Taught and helped develop a curriculum for each of the training modules offered
- Taught Basic courses (30 weeks)
- Collaborated with other faculty to plan and coordinate activities and events.
- Designed and administered assessments to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
- Coordinated 2 special excursions to local points of interests and more extensive study trips to expand learning for German language students.
- Immersed students in unfamiliar cultures by devising hands-on activities.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Utilized various teaching methods, including technology and other interactive activities to enhance learning experience.
- Developed course curriculum, lesson plans and supplemental materials to support student success.
- Expanded student understanding of texts by spearheading in-depth discussions and assigning exploratory essays to help students articulate knowledge.
Education
LaVerne University La Verne, CA
Masters in Educational Leadership from Educational Leadership Skills / CA Administrative And Services Credential
12.2025
University Overview
- Member of CA TESOL, TESOL, Alliance for Education for Women in Afghanistan
LaVerne University La Verne, CA
Administrative And Services Credential from Educational Leadership Skills
08.2024 - 08.2025
Anaheim UniversityAnaheim, CA
MA from TESOL (Adult Teaching)
01.2009
Technical University of OsnabrueckGermany
BS from Horticulture
01.1996
Skills
- Trauma-Informed Teaching
- Teacher Training
- Online Program Development
- Online Adult Teaching
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Organizational structuring
- Strategic vision
- Goal setting
Accomplishments
- Founded the Institute for English Literacy - 501( c)(3)
- Supervised team of 40 staff members.
- Secured $100,000 UNESCO Grant in Afghanistan
Nationalities
- Germany
- USA
Certification
- CA Teaching Adult Education Credential
- CA Administrative and Services Credential (8/2025)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
German
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Limited Working
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
LaVerne University
Administrative And Services Credential from Educational Leadership Skills
08.2024 - 08.2025
Grant Recipient
UNESCO
04.2024 - 07.2024
Founder of the Institute for English Literacy - IEL
Institute for English Literacy (IEL)
11.2020 - Current
ELD Instructor
Highlands Community Charter and Technical School
06.2017 - 07.2020
ESL Manager
World Relief
01.2016 - 12.2016
ESL Instructor
Sacramento State University
01.2010 - 12.2016
German Instructor
Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
01.2001 - 12.2003
LaVerne University
Masters in Educational Leadership from Educational Leadership Skills / CA Administrative And Services Credential
Anaheim University
MA from TESOL (Adult Teaching)
Technical University of Osnabrueck
BS from Horticulture
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