JENIFFER CRUZ
PhD In Literacy Candidate | Literacy Specialist
Sunny Isles Beach
Summary
Ph.D. Candidate and Literacy Specialist specializing in adolescent literacy, orthographic instruction, and social-justice-oriented reading intervention. Experienced in qualitative research, diagnostic assessment, and teacher professional development across school and community-based settings.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
MS Literacy Specialist
Miami Country Day School
08.2024 - Current
- Develop tailored intervention plans from diagnostic results
- Improve student reading and writing skills through targeted support
- Facilitate workshops for teachers, promoting best practices in literacy education
Learning Specialist
The Lucy Project
10.2024 - Current
- Learning specialist working with struggling readers develop their reading and writing skills utilizing Orton-Gillingham curriculum.
Humanities Learning Resources Teacher
Miami Country Day School
08.2022 - 07.2024
- Teach English and MS Seminar across grades in middle school
- Guide middle school students in the Learning Resources Program, enhancing comprehension and writing skills
- Contribute to curriculum development, resulting in enriched educational experience
Visiting Professor of English
St. Thomas University
08.2021 - 06.2022
- Professor of English: ENC 1101/1102
- Led Writing Lab coordination, optimizing resources and mentoring students to improve academic writing
- Creative Writing Club sponsor fostered supportive environment for student creativity and peer collaboration
Middle/High School English Teacher
Mater Lakes Academy
12.2019 - 06.2021
- Guided 8th and 10th graders in reading and writing, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills
- Developed targeted lesson plans improving student engagement and learning outcomes
- Designed and implemented strategic intervention for at-risk students, leading to measurable improvements in reading examination scores
Education
Ph.D. - Literacy – Candidate
St. John's University
08-2026
M.A. - Education: Curriculum & Instruction in English Education
Liberty University
05.2021
B.A. - English Literature
St. Thomas University
12.2019
A.A. - English Literature
Miami Dade College
12.2017
Skills
Educational support
Teacher assistance
Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Interdisciplinary team collaboration
Social integration
Teacher support
Websites
Conferences & Publications
Presenter | Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival – MAR 2022
Presenter | Louisiana Gateway English & Mathematics Success Symposium – 2023
Presenter | World Literacy Summit – Oxford University – APR 2025
Additional Information
- Florida Department of Education
English Grade 6-12
Exceptional Student Education K-12
- Acadience Reading
Reading K-6
Reading 7-8
- IMSE
Orton-Gillingham
Timeline
Learning Specialist
The Lucy Project
10.2024 - Current
MS Literacy Specialist
Miami Country Day School
08.2024 - Current
Humanities Learning Resources Teacher
Miami Country Day School
08.2022 - 07.2024
Visiting Professor of English
St. Thomas University
08.2021 - 06.2022
Middle/High School English Teacher
Mater Lakes Academy
12.2019 - 06.2021
M.A. - Education: Curriculum & Instruction in English Education
Liberty University
B.A. - English Literature
St. Thomas University
A.A. - English Literature
Miami Dade College
Ph.D. - Literacy – Candidate
St. John's University