Heather Carlson
World Language Curriculum Coordinator
Des Moines,IA
Summary
Passionate language educator with over ten years of experience in teaching and curriculum development. Proven track record of designing and implementing effective language classroom strategies tailored to diverse learner needs. Adept at fostering language proficiency and cultural appreciation among students through interactive and innovative instructional methods. Eager to leverage expertise in the World Language Curriculum Specialist role at Des Moines Public Schools to contribute to the support of teachers and language learners.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
13
13
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
French Teacher (part-time)
Ankeny High School
08.2020 - Current
- Served as lead learner in Modern Language Department Avant Assessment Training in 2021.
- Build cultural literacy and language proficiency by organizing lesson plans focused on research based language acquisition strategies.
- Collaborate with colleagues to provide common assessments and instructional materials and strategies in classroom.
- Design curriculum to meet learning institution requirements and instill comprehensive knowledge of French language and culture in students.
- Design and administer assessments to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
High School French Teacher
Norwalk High School
08.2016 - 05.2019
- Identified proficiency standards and crafted proficiency scales for French department.
- Lead textbook adoption for French department, using ACTFL textbook evaluation instrument
- Delivered high quality language instruction and implemented best practices with daily lessons to over 120 students.
- Aligned curriculum and developed common assessments that adhere to Standard Reference Grading Practices and Marzano Model Criteria.
- Integrated technology and worked across multiple platforms for instruction and curriculum development.
- Guided students in two-week language immersion trip to France, June 2019.
Middle School French Teacher
Parkview Middle School
08.2015 - 01.2016
- Served in unique one semester position as French teacher for exploratory French for 6th and 7th grade students.
- Required high level of teamwork in curriculum alignment and common assessments to district standards.
- Developed new skills in standard based grading and formative assessment strategies.
Middle School French Teacher
Alamo Heights Junior School
08.2013 - 05.2015
- Taught French I for high school credit to 8th grade students.
- Developed National French Week, participated in National ACTFL conference and attended teacher development day hosted by French Consulate in Houston at San Antonio's McNay Art Museum.
- Established positive rapport with students, fostering an environment of trust and open communication.
ELL Teacher: Elementary & Middle School
West Des Moines Community Schools
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Served as English Language Learner Educator for Newcomers at both the Middle School and Kindergarten Levels.
- Required innovative lesson plans with an emphasis on differentiation, as well as strong collaborative skills between two different models of schools.
- Participated in team meetings, organized field trips and recipient of the Kimm Teaching Resource Grant.
- Established a safe learning environment by promoting inclusion, respect, and empathy among students.
Fulbright Teaching Assistant (Assistante De Langues Vivantes)
Lycée Guy Mollet
09.1998 - 05.1999
- Instructed students from ages 15-20 in American language and culture.
- Developed curriculum for over 100 students from novice to intermediate levels.
- Managed classroom and collaborated with school's English Teaching Faculty.
Education
Master of Arts - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 08.2001 - 05.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
DePauw University
Greencastle, IN 08.1993 - 05.1997
Study Abroad - French
L'Alliance Française
Paris, France 01.2001 - 05.2001
Study Abroad - French
Institut International D'Études Françaises
Strasbourg, France 01.1997 - 05.1997
Skills
Instructional Design
Affiliations
- Current Vice President, American Association of Teachers of French: Iowa Chapter
- Grant Recipient for Conference Attendee and Future Leaders Program (Québec July 2023)-American Association of Teachers of French
Certification
Avant Assessment Training in French
Timeline
Avant Assessment Training in French
05-2022
French Teacher (part-time)
Ankeny High School
08.2020 - Current
High School French Teacher
Norwalk High School
08.2016 - 05.2019
Middle School French Teacher
Parkview Middle School
08.2015 - 01.2016
Middle School French Teacher
Alamo Heights Junior School
08.2013 - 05.2015
ELL Teacher: Elementary & Middle School
West Des Moines Community Schools
08.2012 - 05.2013
Master of Arts - Curriculum And Instruction
University of Idaho
08.2001 - 05.2010
Study Abroad - French
L'Alliance Française
01.2001 - 05.2001
Fulbright Teaching Assistant (Assistante De Langues Vivantes)
Lycée Guy Mollet
09.1998 - 05.1999
Study Abroad - French
Institut International D'Études Françaises
01.1997 - 05.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Cultural Anthropology
DePauw University
08.1993 - 05.1997