Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Projects
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Govanni Santos Cantu

Corona

Summary

Encouraging professional with many years of experience. Adept at integrating culture and technology into productive classroom settings. Creative professional in postsecondary arts education, skilled at enhancing learning through innovative teaching methods and curriculum design. Efficiently manage classroom dynamics and complete administrative tasks, ensuring productive use of time. Specialize in integrating technology in the arts, fostering critical thinking, and developing students' creative expression. Excel in communication, empathy, and adaptability, facilitating engaging learning environments that cater to diverse student needs. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

Graphic Design Instructor

Durango Detention Facility
Phoenix
08.2025 - Current
  • Directed and facilitated an advanced graphic design program for juveniles tried as adults, focusing on skill development, expression through art, and design practices
  • Taught vector design using Inkscape to beginners and first-time users, enhancing their technical skills and creative expression
  • Focused on core design principles such as typography, layering, and path editing
  • Guided students in projects like logo creation, illustrations, and digital layouts, enabling them to apply design principles in practical contexts
  • Proficient in Inkscape (vector illustration, SVG editing, logo design)
  • Developed lesson plans integrating vector graphics with business concepts, fostering students' understanding of design's role in marketing and finance
  • Emphasized practical, real-world applications while incorporating Inkscape

Reach Associate

Durango Detention Facility
Phoenix
11.2023 - Current
  • Aid instruction by supervising time on projects, skills practice, and digital learning, and/or by instructing students in small groups or individually
  • Managed classroom environment and supervised student behavior during transitions and throughout the school day
  • Collaborated with teachers to complete administrative and non-instructional tasks, enhancing classroom efficiency
  • Provided instructional and non-instructional support to students achieving GED/high school diploma

Youth Partner

Olive Crest
Santa Ana
07.2022 - 08.2023
  • Mentored youth involved in the child welfare system that are eligible for, in need of, or are receiving mental health services
  • Advocated for youth perspectives on various committees and workgroups, ensuring their voices influenced decision-making
  • Delivered advocacy and referral services to effectively meet client needs and connect them with appropriate resources
  • Collaborated with high-risk gang members on rehabilitation initiatives and external programs, supporting their paths to positive change
  • Assisted individuals with disabilities develop their day to day life skills

Water Polo Coach

Rancho Tsunami Water Polo Club
Rancho Cucamonga
05.2018 - 05.2023
  • Honored with the 2023 Tsunami Coach of the Year title for outstanding coaching contributions
  • Coached 18u and 10u teams, enhancing skills and fostering teamwork
  • Facilitated team preparations for 2023 Croatia Travel tournament, ensuring readiness and strategic planning

Residential Summer Counselor

Summer Discovery at UCLA
Los Angeles
05.2022 - 07.2022
  • Lead counselor for the IMPACT Learning Institute which was partnered with the UCLA Anderson program
  • Guided students in navigating challenges and finding solutions to their problems
  • Coordinated with students' counselors, instructors, and staff to foster a supportive environment
  • Addressed personal needs of residents facing diverse conditions to ensure their well-being
  • Enforced policies and safety standards through building and room rounds
  • Supported student attendance by tracking behavior in the classroom

Residential Advisor

Whittier College
Whittier
08.2021 - 05.2022
  • Strategize to improve resident care and satisfaction
  • Advocated for resident needs in weekly meetings with directors
  • Guided students to integrate into both academic and social communities on campus
  • Developed programs to foster community engagement
  • Coordinated communication with students' counselors, instructors, and staff to support a collaborative environment
  • Worked with College faculty to ensure our students' voices were being heard
  • Fostered a productive and supportive environment for academic and social success

Dietary Aide

Corona Care Retirement Home
Corona
04.2020 - 07.2021
  • Monitored quality control procedures, ensuring preparation and delivery of nutritious menu options
  • Cleared tables and transported dishes, trays, and utensils to dishwashing area, maintaining cleanliness and organization
  • Washed plates, cups, and utensils in commercial dishwasher, supporting efficient kitchen operations

Front of house busboy/Back of house cook

Islands Bar and Grill
Corona
01.2018 - 05.2020

Water Polo Coach

CNUSD School District
Corona
08.2019 - 11.2019
  • Varsity Assistant Coach
  • JV/Frosh Head Coach

Cashier/Drive through

Carl's Jr
Corona
09.2016 - 06.2018

Cashier

Little Caesars
Corona
01.2017 - 01.2018

Education

Masters - Business Administration (Concentration in Leadership Development)

Ottawa University
Surprise, AZ
05-2026

Bachelors of Arts - Sociology

Whittier College
Whittier, CA
05-2020

Associates of art - Social Sciences With an emphasis in Behavioral Sciences

Chaffey Community College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
05-2020

Skills

  • Relationship building
  • Strategic planning
  • Report writing
  • Research experience
  • Written Communication
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking
  • Flexible and Adaptable
  • Decision Making
  • Excellent Communication
  • Active Listening
  • Graphic design
  • Classroom management
  • Leadership development

Accomplishments

• 2019 Chaffey College Water Polo Captain
• 2019 Scholar Athlete Award
• Dual Athlete 2017-2019
• Chaffey College 2020 Commencement Speaker
• Whittier College 2022 Commencement Speaker
• Whittier College First Generation Club Ambassador 2022
• Led a discussion panel for Whittier College about Cesar Chavez
• Dual Athlete 2021-2022
• 2024 Ottawa Men's Water Polo Captain
• 2024 All First Team NAIA
• 2025 All First Team NAIA
• AZ Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
• The Mandt System Training
• MBA with a concentration in Leadership Development '26

Projects

  • Put up, Run up, or Shut up. A Study About Gang Identity, A qualitative case study done on gang members within Riverside County/IE, focusing on 'gang identity'. The five participants were interviewed and asked questions which revolved around academic involvement, family/neighborhood instability, violence, socioeconomic status, and family involvement.
  • Unincorporated Whittier CAASP Test Scores: Food Insecurity and District Budgets, Collaborative research to identify how the National School Lunch Program and Districts per student budget impacts schools' state testing scores in the unincorporated Whittier Area. We compared the test scores of over 25 schools in our study.

Languages

  • Spanish
  • English

Timeline

Graphic Design Instructor

Durango Detention Facility
08.2025 - Current

Reach Associate

Durango Detention Facility
11.2023 - Current

Youth Partner

Olive Crest
07.2022 - 08.2023

Residential Summer Counselor

Summer Discovery at UCLA
05.2022 - 07.2022

Residential Advisor

Whittier College
08.2021 - 05.2022

Dietary Aide

Corona Care Retirement Home
04.2020 - 07.2021

Water Polo Coach

CNUSD School District
08.2019 - 11.2019

Water Polo Coach

Rancho Tsunami Water Polo Club
05.2018 - 05.2023

Front of house busboy/Back of house cook

Islands Bar and Grill
01.2018 - 05.2020

Cashier

Little Caesars
01.2017 - 01.2018

Cashier/Drive through

Carl's Jr
09.2016 - 06.2018

Masters - Business Administration (Concentration in Leadership Development)

Ottawa University

Bachelors of Arts - Sociology

Whittier College

Associates of art - Social Sciences With an emphasis in Behavioral Sciences

Chaffey Community College
Govanni Santos Cantu