Jessica Gahm-Diaz
Ipswich,USA
Summary
Retired trilingual Spanish/French educator/administrator, passionate about service work. Organized, hard-working, dependable candidate seeking meaningful service employment.
Extensive experience organizing and leading international trips, specializing in international service and school exchanges. Lived, worked and studied in Mexico, Honduras, France and Canada, volunteered in Honduras, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
World Language Department Chair/ Content Leader
Swampscott High School
07.2011 - 06.2023
- Evaluated curriculum effectiveness and sequencing, making necessary adjustments to align with district standards and learner needs. Coordinated the completion of curriculum maps
- Implemented and evaluated department-wide student placements exams.
- Mentored, coached and evaluated teachers within the World Language Department for successful integration into school culture.
- Led department meetings efficiently while encouraging open discussion on pertinent topics concerning staff members or students.
- Created and lead professional development opportunities for staff members, fostering continuous growth and improvement.
- Organized extracurricular activities related to world languages, promoting cultural awareness outside of the classroom setting.
- Planned and led international service trips, school exchanges and other travel opportunities for students
- Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges.
- Cultivated relationships with parents/guardians through regular communication regarding student progress and upcoming events.
8th Grade Team Leader - Spanish/French Teacher
Swampscott Middle School
09.2005 - 06.2011
- Fostered open communication with faculty, parents and administration
- Planned and implemented school-wide professional development and study groups
- Mentored new teachers and teachers on growth plans
- Developed school-wide schedules for MCAS and special events.
Spanish/French Teacher
Swampscott Middle School
09.1992 - 07.2011
- Served as student class adviser for many years
- Secured grants for traveling art exhibits and educational programming specializing in Hispanic and French artists
- Organized cultural field trips and contracted guest speakers.
- Utilized various teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs within the classroom.
- Established positive rapport with students, fostering an environment of trust and open communication.
Bilingual Community Outreach Worker
Salem Harbor Community Development Corporation
02.1991 - 08.1992
- Served as liaison between Anglo, French Canadian, and Hispanic immigrant community and the corporations
- Promoted and organized community activities
- Translated written and oral information (Spanish/English)
- Served as mediator when cultural misunderstandings arose.
Peace Corps Volunteer
United States Peace Corps
02.1988 - 12.1990
- Supervised 28 adult education & literacy schools
- Trained 65 teachers through a series of workshops
- Initiated and coordinated the construction and opening of an Adult Vocational Educational and Literacy Center
- Promoted and supervised community projects.
7th Grade Spanish/French Teacher
Ipswich Middle School
09.1986 - 06.1987
- Full-time Spanish and French teacher.
Education
Graduate Coursework - Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, ESL, French & Spanish -
The School for International Training
Brattleboro, VT01.1997
Three month training in Spanish, cross-cultural issues and adult education pedagogy -
Arawak Center
Santa Lucia, Honduras01.1988
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major: Spanish & French -
Colby College
Waterville, ME01.1986
Full Academic Year - total immersion in a French University -
University of Caen
Caen, FranceIntensive Semester of studies in Spanish language, Mexican history & culture -
Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies
Cuernavaca, Mexico01.1982
Skills
- Technologically Proficient
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Dependable and Responsible
- Friendly and Positive
- Detail Oriented
- Collaborative Team Member
- Organized Planner
- Inciteful Mentor
- Skilled Curriculum Developer
- Trilingual
Certification
MA Professional Teaching License #308779 Spanish & French 5-12.
VT Beginning Educator's License - Spanish, ESL, Bilingual/Multicultural K-12 - Lapsed.
MA Professional Supervisor/Director License
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
French
Professional Working
Timeline
World Language Department Chair/ Content Leader
Swampscott High School
07.2011 - 06.2023
8th Grade Team Leader - Spanish/French Teacher
Swampscott Middle School
09.2005 - 06.2011
Spanish/French Teacher
Swampscott Middle School
09.1992 - 07.2011
Bilingual Community Outreach Worker
Salem Harbor Community Development Corporation
02.1991 - 08.1992
Peace Corps Volunteer
United States Peace Corps
02.1988 - 12.1990
7th Grade Spanish/French Teacher
Ipswich Middle School
09.1986 - 06.1987
Graduate Coursework - Education
Master of Arts in Teaching, ESL, French & Spanish -
The School for International Training
Three month training in Spanish, cross-cultural issues and adult education pedagogy -
Arawak Center
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major: Spanish & French -
Colby College
Full Academic Year - total immersion in a French University -
University of Caen
Intensive Semester of studies in Spanish language, Mexican history & culture -
Center for Bilingual Multicultural Studies
MA Professional Teaching License #308779 Spanish & French 5-12.
VT Beginning Educator's License - Spanish, ESL, Bilingual/Multicultural K-12 - Lapsed.
MA Professional Supervisor/Director License
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