John Ryan Cunningham
Asheville,NC
Summary
Community Development Specialist with success designing, implementing, and managing large scale projects for USAID, WASH, CWIP, NEPA, and RADA, specializing in rural areas. Extensive experience in team leadership and working with multicultural groups. Veteran Special education teacher.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Grants and Donor Administrator
Sea Corps Maritime Group
2023.02 - Current
- Create and maintain business relationships with maritime-based companies, present and solicit funding for Sea Corps operations.
- Maintain communication and strengthen partnerships with funding institutions, while presenting completed goals, objectives, and fiscal reports.
- Other duties include public speaking, digital and personal correspondence, funding research and analysis, and fiscal reports to Board of Sea Corps Maritime Group.
Special Education Teacher
Buncombe County Schools
2013.01 - 2023.08
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Cultivated connections and strong student rapport to foster classroom engagement, in addition to recording student progress to inform parents and school administration.
Special Education Inclusion Teacher
DODEA (Dept Of Defense Education Activity) Schools
2010.01 - 2013.12
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
- Provided instruction (inclusion, special ed) in the areas of Language Arts/Literature and Learning Strategies.
- Developed and implemented literacy programs, followed established DODEA curriculum for Language Arts, grades 9-12, American Literature, and Learning Strategies, grades 9-12.
AP American Literature Teacher
Trigg County High School
2002.07 - 2009.12
- Developed course curriculum, lesson plans and supplemental materials to support student success.
- Designed and administered assessments to evaluate student progress and comprehension.
- Utilized various teaching methods, including technology and other interactive activities to enhance learning experience.
- Collaborated with other faculty to plan and coordinate activities and events.
Environmental Project Manager
USAID
2001.10 - 2002.07
- Managed and implemented Project #25, Environmental Education for Improved Water Quality in the Port Antonio Area, a component included in the Coastal Water Improvement Project (CWIP) funded by USAID and the National Environmental and Planning Agency(NEPA).
- Duties included the Hiring of resource persons, educators, consultants, and administrative staff; Project monitoring; budget management; extensive public speaking, contact with government officials and communities within the project area; intensive relations with Parish Government, as well as planning initiatives and advocacy.
- Duties also included facilitation of Steering Committees as well as organization of government officials to help establish a broad forum of stakeholders.
- Education of interest and community groups in Port Antonio through utilization of CWIP's program manual
- Other duties include formulation of education program's schedule, and coordination of environmental education training in several different communities
- Responsible for completing project objectives according to established deadlines, and in compliance with USAID programs.
International Development Consultant
Tetra Tech
2001.01 - 2002.01
- Rural Appraisal and socio economic study performed in the Rio Grande Valley of Jamaica for the USAID funded, Ridge to Reef Watershed Project; field research performed;data collection; presentations and reports
- Extensive networking and communication within the local government and community sectors.
- Duties accomplished provided published indicators to aid in the long-term assessment of the project's performance.
Project Manager, Farmer to Farmer Program
Land O'Lakes
2000.02 - 2001.05
- Created and led institutional strengthening and educational programs among Jamaican agricultural associations.
- Organized and implemented Decision-Making, Conflict-Resolution, and Group Dynamics Training Programs with small farmer and marketing groups in rural Jamaica.
- Trained local farmers in group strengthening and grant/proposal writing. Duties included working closely with the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA) in St. James, and sourcing funds to develop outreach resources.
- Wrote grants and proposals for marketing group and achieved funding for irrigation and income-generating projects.
- Other duties included coordination of training and education program, education of participants, working with additional consultants, reporting of activities and expenses as well as working with Jamaican government agencies to achieve program objectives.
- Follow-up duties included assessment of group’s needs, vision, and goals as well as devising a production plan for marketing group. Initiative, creativity, and flexibility required, as well as public speaking and interactive teaching methodologies.
Rural Community Volunteer
Peace Corps
1998.01 - 2000.01
- Served in United States Peace Corps, assigned to the Portland Ministry of Health as an outreach officer and community development specialist.
- Designated by the Ministry to live and work in a mountain community in eastern Jamaica. Duties included development and direction of sanitation projects, implementation of latrine and water system construction, and creation of solid waste management program for three different communities in the John Crow Mountains.
- Objectives included the design and implementation of Education Programs for both youth and adults. Assigned as a development specialist to set up and facilitate adult education classes, computer literacy program, and group communication workshops for community members; to seek, write, and distribute monies awarded to the communities through agencies contacted.
- Public relations duties included extensive contact with international funding agencies, project managers, ambassadors, and donors. Attended workshops and training to network communities with development agencies such as USAID, British, German, Dutch Netherlands, French and Japanese Embassies, and other non-profit institutions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English-Communications
Montreat College
MontreatMaster of Arts - Education
Murray State University
MurraySkills
- International development professional
- Experience implementing and developing educational programs for youth and adults
- Cultivating relationships with international funding agencies and donors
- Grant writing and proposals
- Experience implementing, designing, and managing large scales projects for USAID, WASH(Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene); CWIP(Coastal Water Improvement Project), NEPA(National Environment and Planning Agency), RADA(Rural Agriculture Development Authority).
Timeline
Grants and Donor Administrator
Sea Corps Maritime Group
2023.02 - Current
Special Education Teacher
Buncombe County Schools
2013.01 - 2023.08
Special Education Inclusion Teacher
DODEA (Dept Of Defense Education Activity) Schools
2010.01 - 2013.12
AP American Literature Teacher
Trigg County High School
2002.07 - 2009.12
Environmental Project Manager
USAID
2001.10 - 2002.07
International Development Consultant
Tetra Tech
2001.01 - 2002.01
Project Manager, Farmer to Farmer Program
Land O'Lakes
2000.02 - 2001.05
Rural Community Volunteer
Peace Corps
1998.01 - 2000.01
Bachelor of Arts - English-Communications
Montreat College
Master of Arts - Education
Murray State University
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