Jessica Fortenberry
Peace Corps Colombia
Ft. Walton Beach
3
Languages
1
Certification
3
years of professional experience
Results-oriented International and Public Affairs graduate with TEFL certification and experience in teaching English and supporting educational initiatives across diverse cultures. Bilingual communicator (English/Spanish) with expertise in community engagement, local leadership empowerment, and grassroots program facilitation. Focused on advancing social equity through inclusive, community-driven solutions and sustainable development.
Work History
English Co-teacher
2 Years 1 Month- Taught English to 150 students in grades 6-11 at Colegio Juana Arias De Benavides, improving language skills and academic performance.
- Developed and led community English courses for over 50 local adults at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, increasing language proficiency and community engagement.
- Supported initiatives with Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) program, promoting leadership and empowerment for young women.
Teacher’s Assistant / After-school Childcare Worker
4 Months- Supported classroom management and supervised academic activities for 20+ children, ensuring a conducive learning environment.
- Facilitated creative educational and artistic activities, promoting engagement and social development.
- Maintained effective communication with teachers, staff, and parents to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Facilitated communication with teachers, staff, and parents to strengthen collaboration and improve student learning outcomes.
Intern
1 Month- Coordinated educational and environmental programs, enhancing local community involvement by 25%.
- Provided homework assistance and English lessons to children ages 5-14, improving literacy and language skills.
- Contributed to reforestation projects, planting over 500 trees to promote environmental sustainability in local communities.
Student Teacher
1 Month- Completed 16 hours of instructional practice, including 10 hours of classroom observation and 6 hours of supervised teaching, to gain practical experience in diverse educational settings.
- Designed and delivered lesson plans for English instruction, tailored to non-native speakers in group and individual formats, enhancing language comprehension and communication skills.
- Developed engaging lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards.
- Implemented classroom management strategies to foster a positive learning environment.
- Assessed student progress through formal and informal evaluations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - International and Public Affairs, International Relations
Associate’s Degree - Business
- Earned through Collegiate High School program
- Completed Spanish I and II at college level
- Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Recipient
- Study Abroad: Palermo, Italy. (August 18-July 2029)
High School Diploma
Dual enrollment through Northwest Florida State College
Skills
TEFL/TESOL certification
Curriculum development
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word
Excel
PowerPoint)
Cross-cultural communication
Collaborative learning
Parent-teacher communication
Oral communication
CPR Certified
Certification
TEFL/TESOL certified.
BLS certified
Languages
English: Native
Spanish: Advanced (C1) — Fluent in professional and everyday communication
Italian: Intermediate (B2) — Conversational proficiency
Timeline
English Co-teacher
Peace Corps Colombia
09.2024 - 10.2026Read More
Teacher’s Assistant / After-school Childcare Worker
La Prima Casa Montessori
09.2023 - 01.2024Read More
Intern
La Mariposa
07.2023 - 08.2023Read More
Student Teacher
Maximo Nivel TEFL Certification Program
05.2023 - 06.2023Read More
Collegiate High School
High School Diploma
Read More
Florida International University
Bachelor of Arts from International and Public Affairs, International Relations
Read More
Northwest Florida State College
Associate’s Degree from Business
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