Heather Lynn Meindl
Chicago,IL
Summary
Perceptive educator with a proven track record of achieving and exceeding curricular and enrollment goals. Experienced in designing innovative curriculum and implementing scaffolded systems to meet the needs of diverse students. Skilled at building strong relationships and taking a decisive approach to solving operational challenges.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Department Chair
DePaul College Prep
06.2023 - Current
- Participate in candidate screening, assessment and interviewing to ensure successful recruitment for a developing department
- Generate and actualize departmental standards, grading norms, proficiency level benchmarks, and curriculum building tools to assist and improve teacher outcomes
- Observe, mentor and support teachers in all professional aspects; providing critical feedback to elevate instructional practices
- Support curriculum development and course teams via UbD map audits and participating in course team meetings
French Teacher
DePaul College Prep
08.2022 - Current
- Researched and piloted new French 1 and French 2 curriculum, leading to departmental adoption and implementation
- Promoted and recruited students to enroll in upper level French classes, resulting in the highest IB French enrollment to date
- Organized and executed new IB French Language B curriculum resulting in higher than the global average student achievement exam results
- Built cultural literacy by organizing lesson plans focused on French-speaking countries
- Collaborated on and implemented innovative pedagogical initiatives that focused on student-first, hands-on and experiential learning to foster French instruction
- Constructed and executed a French/American exchange program; successfully hosting and visiting our partner school
French Teacher and Mentor
St. Josaphat School
08.2019 - 06.2022
- Created and taught original French language and cultural curriculum for grades Pre-K through 8 focusing on communicative skills, literacy, and cultural competence aligning with ACTFL's World Readiness Standards
- Observed, mentored, and coached emerging teachers focusing on student engagement and classroom management
- Organized foreign language advocacy opportunities within the school community such as dance offs, music bracket competitions, and cultural picnics to promote French language throughout the community
- Prepared 8th grade students for the annual National French Exam le grand concours; in 2021, 14 of 19 students who took the exam placed nationally
Director/Teacher
The French Institute of the North Shore
07.2019 - 07.2020
- Oversaw the curriculum development for all adult French classes through quarterly meetings with teaching staff
- Pioneered advanced level gastronomy course which focused on culture, cooking, idiomatic expressions and speaking
- Taught intermediate adult French courses, after-school immersion program for middle school students, and French immersion preschool that followed the école maternelle curriculum put forth by the French Ministry of Education
- Conducted monthly and quarterly event planning, budget reporting, and staff reviews
- Winnetka, IL
Assistant Director/Teacher
The French Institute of the North Shore
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Managed school operations including class scheduling, client communication, event planning, finances and curriculum development
- Observed and supported 3 full time, native speaking French teachers by conducting classroom audits and leading monthly curriculum meetings
- Taught after-school immersion program for school aged children, focusing on the four language domains of speaking, listening, reading and writing
Teacher/Program Assistant
The French Institute of the North Shore
07.2016 - 07.2017
- Collaborated and co-taught intermediate adult French class utilizing a communicative teaching method
- Designed individualized instruction for 2nd grade French students as part of an after-school immersion program
- Organized and executed French cultural events including food & wine tastings, author events, and dinner parties
Academic Coach
DePaul University - Academic Resource Center
07.2015 - 07.2016
- Taught APA 6th Edition writing to Graduate level English Language Learners
- Mentored and tutored all students within the College of Education who sought out reading strategies and skills necessary to pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
- Tutored French-Teacher candidates preparing for the Illinois French Language Content Test (127)
Program Assistant
DePaul University - Geography Department
09.2014 - 06.2015
- Managed general office duties such as scheduling student appointments, and answering office inquiries
- Prepared various class materials for professors, in addition to setting up for the department's World of Wine Class taught by a French speaking sommelier
Corporate Compliance Client Specialist
CT Corporation
09.2013 - 08.2014
- Provided expert knowledge when answering customer inquiries regarding entity formation, registered agent services, document authentication, in addition to other corporate legal service inquiries
- Facilitated relationships with current customers to protect a major portion of the annual Representation Services business
- Managed inbound and outbound customer communication via telephone and email to consult on the comprehensive CT suite product line including services, products, and statutory representation
Practice Administrator
The Girard Law Group P.C.
05.2013 - 06.2014
- Managed practice operations, including schedule coordination, accounts receivable and client relations
- Acted as point person for residential and commercial real estate transactions
- Researched and synthesized real estate topics posted on the law firm's blog to keep clients up to date on Illinois real estate policies and laws
- Implemented Amicus Attorney software for paperless filing and billing
- Lead social media campaigns to attract new clients and keep current clients informed of the practice group's achievements
Program Assistant (Contract Position/Temporary)
Spirit Cultural Exchange
11.2012 - 05.2013
- Provided email and phone support to J-1 Visa Participants while in country
- Educated participants and employers on Department of State regulations for the Work and Travel Program
- Planned and executed cultural events for J-1 Visa Participants, including on sight visits to employers
- Advocated and executed meetings with internal staff, employers, and congressman to discuss immigration reform and legislature
Level 2 Account Manager for New York City
Groupon
08.2012 - 11.2012
- Liaised between the sales and other departments to ensure all communication was clear and that each department was prepared to run successful offers under strict time deadlines
- Managed detailed communication with merchants including cross selling of Groupon products to increase revenue
- Calculated return on investments pre- and post-feature in order to consult successfully on deal limits affecting profitability for both Groupon and clients
Bilingual (French & English) Customer Support Representative
Groupon Quebec
01.2011 - 08.2012
- Provided phone and e-mail support for Groupon subscribers and merchants in order to maintain clientele and resolve customer issues
- Traveled to Québec on a monthly basis to meet with local merchants and resolved operational issues pertaining to the Groupon Campaign, which ensured client satisfaction and higher retention rates
- Proof read and edited French-Canadian web content to increase clarity and confirm language accuracy
Education
M.Ed. - World Language Education (French)
DePaul University
Chicago, IL12-2017
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL05-2010
Skills
- Classroom management
- Student relationship building
- French curriculum development
- Cultural awareness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Personnel management
- Time management abilities
- Student recruitment
- Program administration
Accomplishments
AATF French Teacher of the Year Awardee for the State of Illinois (2021 - 2022)
AATF Leadership Academy Graduate (Trois-Rivières, QC, Summer 2023)
Vice-President of the Chicago/N. Illinois chapter of the AATF (Spring 2023 - Spring 2025)
Certification
- ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) certification– American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. (Advanced Mid)
- Illinois Public Educator License
- ESL Endorsement
- IB French Language B
- Positive Discipline
- Kagan Cooperative Learning
Languages
French
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Arabic
Elementary
Timeline
Department Chair
DePaul College Prep
06.2023 - Current
French Teacher
DePaul College Prep
08.2022 - Current
French Teacher and Mentor
St. Josaphat School
08.2019 - 06.2022
Director/Teacher
The French Institute of the North Shore
07.2019 - 07.2020
Assistant Director/Teacher
The French Institute of the North Shore
07.2018 - 07.2019
Teacher/Program Assistant
The French Institute of the North Shore
07.2016 - 07.2017
Academic Coach
DePaul University - Academic Resource Center
07.2015 - 07.2016
Program Assistant
DePaul University - Geography Department
09.2014 - 06.2015
Corporate Compliance Client Specialist
CT Corporation
09.2013 - 08.2014
Practice Administrator
The Girard Law Group P.C.
05.2013 - 06.2014
Program Assistant (Contract Position/Temporary)
Spirit Cultural Exchange
11.2012 - 05.2013
Level 2 Account Manager for New York City
Groupon
08.2012 - 11.2012
Bilingual (French & English) Customer Support Representative
Groupon Quebec
01.2011 - 08.2012
M.Ed. - World Language Education (French)
DePaul University
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
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