Jennifer Sousa
Summary
Being an educator for me is not just a profession; it is innate to my identity as a person. I thrive in an environment in which I can share my skills with others, learn and be challenged from others and enrich the lives of students and coworkers alike. Whether it is through the instruction of literacy, culture, language or writing; I am fulfilling my purpose as an educator and striving to inspire others every day.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct English Instructor in the Bridge Program for International Students
Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI
09.2014 - Current
- Responsible for teaching core reading and writing classes
- Focus on the writing skills of research, rhetorical analysis, literary analysis and argumentative writing
- Help students understand American culture and history to integrate in their writing and content learning
- Assist students with reading strategies of college level texts along with MLA format and proofreading and editing skills
- Focus on getting students to be critical thinkers while directing them to obtain valid and reliable sources to use in research.
11th and 12th grade ELL teacher
Fall River, Massachusetts School District
Fall River, MA
08.2022 - 06.2023
- Responsible for teaching high level ELL students ELA content and newcomer students
- Responsible for the creation and implementation of Level A and Bridging (advanced) ELL students the required curriculum as determined by the school and supplement learning with a focus on the four domains of language
- Use 'best practices' in developing organized, creative, standard-based, student-focused lessons using the latest research in pedagogy and learning brain science
- Teach newcomer immigrant students academic and social English along with culture and their important role in American society
- Analyze data to determine student's best learning plan and placement through test scores, academic performance and writing benchmarks
- Keep in mind the holistic factors in student's lives; nurture their talents and self-esteem
- Work on a team of fellow educators to help each other better our practice
- Creator and leader of LASA (Latin American Student Association)
- Member of the 'Teacher Mental Health' committee.
7th grade ELL Foundational Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Fall River, Massachusetts School District
Fall River, MA
09.2021 - 06.2022
- Responsible for lesson planning and delivery of instruction to seventh grade ELL students ranging from level 1-2 according to the WIDA levels
- Provide students with daily social/emotional support
- Use the Common Core Standards and WIDA standards to develop academic goals and lessons for students for ELA and 7th grade Social Studies
- Be part of a multidisciplinary team
- Teach newcomer ELL students the English skills necessary to navigate their community and their school setting
- Teach students the importance of using reliable and credible sources
- Give students opportunities to practice what they have learned in class through presentations and projects
- Communicate with parents and families of ELL students and advocate for them to participate in their children's education.
ESL Teacher
Community College of RI
Providence, RI
09.2019 - 08.2021
- Set learning objectives, plan and develop lessons based on student's English language level
- Use educational technologies in order to enhance student learning
- Assess and monitor students' growth in English
- Motivate and encourage students to believe in themselves and take risks in practicing their target language
- Help students with the pragmatics of English in American culture
- Instructor, Spanish for Educators: Develop and implement an online class in order for educators to learn basic Spanish and cultural competencies regarding their students from Latin America.
ELL Teacher
Bristol/Warren School District
Warren, RI
09.2019 - 06.2021
- Plan, develop and coordinate the delivery of instructional services to ELL students in grades 6-8
- Develop dynamic and creative modified lessons for ELL students adhering to the Common Core Standards and WIDA framework
- Serve as a resource and advocate to administrators, teachers, students and parents
- Communicate with parents and families of ELL students, assist with acquiring community resources, navigating the educational system and helping their child with personal growth
- Follow the WIDA standards of English language development and ability
- Coordinate and perform state testing using the ACCESS
- Provide fellow educators with PD regarding ELL student population.
ELL Teacher and ELL Coordinator
North Smithfield School District
North Smithfield, RI
01.2015 - 06.2019
- Plan, develop and coordinate the delivery of instructional services to ELL students in grades PK-12
- Teach high school ELL students academic writing
- Develop dynamic and creative modified lessons for ELL students (K-12) adhering to the Common Core Standards and the WIDA standards
- Serve as a resource and advocate to administrators, teachers, students and parents, run professional development seminars regarding the ELL population
- Communicate with parents and families of ELL students, assist with acquiring community resources, navigating the educational system and helping their child with personal growth
- Follow the WIDA standards of English language development and ability
- Coordinate and perform state testing using the ACCESS
- Enter students in the LEP Dept of Education RI census, attend RIDE ELL meetings and communicate with RIDE, maintain filing of all reports and records in student files
- Ran a Diversity Club at the high school level.
English Language Instructor
English Language Service (ELS), Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI
08.2011 - 12.2014
- Responsible for the assessment and teaching of academic English to international students
- Develop dynamic and interesting lessons according to student language level
- Prepare students to enter American universities by teaching them the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary.
ELL/Bilingual Spanish Teacher
District 204
Aurora, IL
09.2006 - 09.2009
- Taught levels K-12 in a multi-cultural district
- Taught bilingual Spanish education to native speakers
- Taught English as a second language district wide.
ELL Teacher/High School
North Providence School District
North Providence, RI
08.2004 - 06.2005
- Same duties as mentioned in high school ELL position
- Classroom teacher.
ELL/Language Arts Teacher/Middle School
Central Falls School Department
Central Falls, RI
08.2002 - 06.2004
- ESL/ELA teacher on a multidisciplinary team.
Bilingual Spanish/English Elementary teacher and ESL teacher
Everett Massachusetts School Department
Everett, MA
08.2000 - 06.2002
- Taught 3rd, 4th and 5th graders English, Science and Social Studies in a bilingual Spanish program.
Education
MA in Applied Linguistics/ESL -
University of Massachusetts
BA in Psychology -
University of Rhode Island
Skills
- ELL/Bilingual Spanish teacher with extensive expertise in language acquisition theory, language instruction pedagogy and cultural factors that affect the education of the immigrant population in the US
- Experienced in the educational setting of public K-12 schools and Issues regarding Special Education and IEPs
- Strong background in ELA curriculum, using Common Core in lesson planning and scaffolding content
- Fluent in Spanish and knowledgeable about the cultural, political and economic backgrounds from Latin American countries
- Fluent in Portuguese and able to code switch among different Lusophone dialects and experience working with the Brazilian community
- Able to design dynamic and creative lesson plans focusing on building skills in background knowledge, academic vocabulary, synthesizing information and critical thinking
- Knowledgeable regarding the "Science of Reading" findings from The Reading League in order to deliver valid and reliable instruction in literacy development (https://wwwthereadingleagueorg/what-is-the-science-of-reading/)
- Extensive experience in using multimedia presentations for classroom lessons and professional development seminars
- Skilled in using valid and reliable academic sources in order to foster learning and maintain academic integrity
- Familiar with the refugee population and issues affecting inequities in education
- Special expertise in helping students develop writing and rhetorical skills for a variety of essay styles; in particular, argumentative essays, critical analysis and research reports
- Knowledgeable in the areas of MLA format, proofreading, analyzing and editing text
- Use data-driven assessments to tailor scaffolds and accommodations for students
- Possess an underlying drive to value students and coworkers and offer support on a continual basis
Certification
- English Language Specialist, RI & MA, pre K-12
- World Language: Spanish Teacher, MA, grades 6-12
Publications
- Praca Magazine, July, 2017
- Praca Magazine, September 2016
- Praca Magazine, September 2015
Volunteer Experience
- Deliverance Haitian Church, Providence, RI, Taught English to newly arrived Haitian immigrants once a week (summer of 2022)
- Refugee Dream Center, Providence, RI, Worked with Syrian refugee families to help them learn English, adapt to American culture and acquire needed community resources, Partnered with local churches to connect Syrian families to the community
References
- Jacky Silva, Teacher Leader for middle school ELL Department, Kuss Middle School, jsilva@fallriverschools.org
- Mary Almeida, former Director of ELL Program and Literacy, Bristol-Warren Regional School District, (401) 771-9957
- Don Lee, Coordinator, ESL Bridge Program, Roger Williams University, (401) 330-8895
- Jennifer Daigneault, Principal, North Smithfield Elementary School, (401) 762 2793
Timeline
11th and 12th grade ELL teacher
Fall River, Massachusetts School District
08.2022 - 06.2023
7th grade ELL Foundational Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Fall River, Massachusetts School District
09.2021 - 06.2022
ESL Teacher
Community College of RI
09.2019 - 08.2021
ELL Teacher
Bristol/Warren School District
09.2019 - 06.2021
ELL Teacher and ELL Coordinator
North Smithfield School District
01.2015 - 06.2019
Adjunct English Instructor in the Bridge Program for International Students
Roger Williams University
09.2014 - Current
English Language Instructor
English Language Service (ELS), Roger Williams University
08.2011 - 12.2014
ELL/Bilingual Spanish Teacher
District 204
09.2006 - 09.2009
ELL Teacher/High School
North Providence School District
08.2004 - 06.2005
ELL/Language Arts Teacher/Middle School
Central Falls School Department
08.2002 - 06.2004
Bilingual Spanish/English Elementary teacher and ESL teacher
Everett Massachusetts School Department
08.2000 - 06.2002
MA in Applied Linguistics/ESL -
University of Massachusetts
BA in Psychology -
University of Rhode Island
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