Joshua Benaiah Lira
Del Rio,USA
Summary
Dedicated teaching professional skilled in designing culturally responsive lessons connecting historical and contemporary issues. Interested in transitioning from a social studies and humanities secondary teacher to an international school setting, such as IB, MYP, IGCSE, A-level, or other curricula involving humanities.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Secondary Teacher
San Felipe Del Rio CISD, Del Rio High School
Del Rio, USA
01.2020 - Current
- Designed and delivered instruction for the US Government, Economics, Mexican American Studies, and Personal Financial Literacy classes to a diverse population of secondary students.
- Supported emergent bilingual, at-risk, SPED, 504, and gifted/talented students through differentiated, student-centered lessons and bilingual scaffolding to enhance accessibility and engagement.
- Incorporated bilingual instruction for multilingual and academically diverse students in a Tier 1 border community school district.
- Created culturally relevant lessons that connect history, contemporary politics, economics, local border Hispanic identity, and contemporary news-breaking issues.
- Developed project-based and discussion-based lessons on topics ranging from globalization, constitutional principles, market structures, and political identity.
- Managed large class sizes exceeding 30 students, maintaining high engagement through structured student-centered activities including debates, projects, gallery walks, warm-ups, exit tickets, and team-building exercises.
- Integrated digital learning tools like Canvas, Chromebooks, Nearpod, and Blooket to facilitate interactive learning experiences.
Substitute Teacher
San Felipe Del Rio CISD
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Acted as a long-term substitute for Spanish 1 at San Felipe Memorial Middle School and adapted lessons for English Language Learners to improve their comprehension.
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques with K-6th grade students, fostering a positive learning environment.
- Supported diverse classrooms by substituting for teachers across San Felipe Del Rio CISD elementary and middle schools, ensuring continuity of instruction.
Education
EdD - Higher Education specialization
West Texas A&M
Canyon, TX06-2026
MED - Education, History Specialization
Sul Ross State University
Alpine, TX08-2023
BA - Liberal Arts, History, Government
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX05-2019
AA - Associate of Arts
Southwest Texas Junior College
Del Rio, TX05-2016
Skills
- Classroom instruction
- Bilingual/ESL instruction
- Social studies instruction
- Lesson planning
- Curriculum development
- Student engagement
- Student-Centered Learning
- Classroom management
- Project-Based Learning
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Socratic Method
- Classroom discussions and debates
- Digital Learning Tools
- Classroom Organization
- Bilingual English/Spanish Communication
Awards And Acknowledgements
- Battle of the Bands, 2014, Won third place at Del Rio High School in a Battle of the Bands contest.
- Dean’s List, 2013-2016, Made the Dean’s List at Southwest Texas Junior College during my Associate’s degree.
- Phi Theta Kappa, 2013-2016, Member
- Bowling Champion, 2016, Took a bowling course in the Spring of 2016 at Southwest Texas Junior College where I placed first in the fourth subgroup bowling tournament.
- LULAC Young Adult Man of the Year, 2022, Took part in the movement to establish a Four-Year Full-Fledged university in a displaced region of the United States and Mexico border. Was president from March 2020 until March 2023.
- Sigma Tau Delta’s Annual Poetry Contest, 2023, Won first place for a Spanish poem written in a poetry contest at Sul Ross State University.
- Texas Exes Life Member, 09/2023, Present
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Professional
Portuguese
Limited
Italian
Limited
French
Elementary
Affiliations
Church Leader/Teacher/Music Leader/Elder
Church Ministry, Del Rio, TX
Led weekly youth music, discussion, instruction, and mentoring activities.
Developed faith-based lessons connecting Biblical principles, discipline, and leadership. Collaborated with other youth adults to coordinate activities for youth development.
Church Ministry, Del Rio, TX
Led weekly youth music, discussion, instruction, and mentoring activities.
Developed faith-based lessons connecting Biblical principles, discipline, and leadership. Collaborated with other youth adults to coordinate activities for youth development.
Accomplishments
- LULAC (League of the United Latin American Citizens) Young Adult Man of the Year Award, 2022
Took part in the movement to establish a Four-Year Full-Fledged university in a displaced region of the United States and Mexico border. Was president since March 2020 until March 2023. - Sigma Tau Delta’s Annual Poetry Contest, 2023
Won first place for a Spanish poem written in a poetry contest at Sul Ross State University. - Bowling Champion, 2016
Took a bowling course in the Spring of 2016 at Southwest Texas Junior College where I placed first in the fourth subgroup bowling tournament. - Dean's List
Made the Dean’s List at Southwest Texas Junior College during my Associate’s degree. - Battle of the Bands, 2014
Won third place at Del Rio High School in a Battle of the Bands contest.
Certification
- Telecommunications Operator, 2014
- SBEC, Teacher Certification, Social Studies
- SBEC, Teacher Certification, US History
- SBEC, English as a Second Language Supplement Certification
Timeline
Secondary Teacher
San Felipe Del Rio CISD, Del Rio High School
01.2020 - Current
Substitute Teacher
San Felipe Del Rio CISD
01.2019 - 01.2020
EdD - Higher Education specialization
West Texas A&M
MED - Education, History Specialization
Sul Ross State University
BA - Liberal Arts, History, Government
University of Texas At Austin
AA - Associate of Arts
Southwest Texas Junior College