KINGA VOLKAN-KACSO
PhD, English/Second Language Studies/ESL
Sierra Madre,CA
Summary
Dedicated and dynamic instructor with a PhD in English and 7 years of teaching experience at the college level (in addition to 4 years in K-12/adult education) invested in students' academic and personal success and in reaching all students of diverse backgrounds. Relevant work experience in writing and composition, ESL, and TESOl: curriculum and course design, teaching, grading, testing. Expert at preparing innovative and flexible lesson plans with differentiated instruction, tailored to the needs and abilities of each student. Looking to impart the knowledge and skills acquired at previous university jobs.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Proofreader and Copy Editor
California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, California
01.2019 - Current
- Proofreading, editing, and evaluating doctoral dissertations to ensure clarity and top quality of material and that content aligns with established university guidelines.
- Maximizing document quality by suggesting revisions for awkward phrasing or unclear language.
- Strong attention to detail when working with complex technical documents containing specialized terminology or jargon.
- Following and implementing standardized guidelines to maintain style quality, clarity, and and consistency in produced content.
Private Academic Tutor
Self Employed
Sierra Madre, CA
08.2011 - Current
- Main area of tutoring: doctoral dissertation writing guidance
- Maintaining flexible schedule, adjusting tutoring availability as needed to accommodate student needs and busy academic calendars.
- Providing ongoing feedback to students regarding their work, setting realistic goals, and recognizing milestones achieved.
Research Analyst
Tech Mahindra
Pasadena, California
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Established optimal circumstances for gathering research data to improve technology.
- Managed 12 to 15 research moderators on a daily basis.
- Selected and evaluated potential participants to assess suitability for planned studies.
- Boosted team efficiency with rigorous attention to detail and adherence to deadlines when completing projects.
- Supported senior management in making informed decisions by delivering timely and accurate research findings.
Lecturer
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
08.2010 - 06.2011
- Taught multiple English composition classes to international students (teaching).
- Adapted and updated course design to fit individual student needs and prepared daily class lectures.
- Provided constructive feedback through one-on-one conferences.
- Tracked student assignments, attendance, and test scores, and evaluated student performances.
- Reached out to struggling students to identify problem areas and reconcile issues before exams.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning and achieve preliminary course objectives.
- Taught a diverse international student population by employing various teaching styles to match a wide variety of levels and abilities.
Graduate Instructor
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
08.2005 - 08.2010
- Taught English composition classes to both international students and native speakers.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to facilitate and moderate classroom discussions and student centered learning.
- Prepared daily class lectures.
- Evaluated student performances and provided constructive feedback for all students to reach optimal outcomes.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Worked one-on-one with students to resolve course-related issues.
Language Tutor for International College Students
University Village At The University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
08.2003 - 07.2005
- Provided writing support, language support, technical help to a diverse student population to overcome language and cultural barriers.
- Created and provided opportunities for non-native students and their spouses to practice conversational English.
- Conducted immersive conversation sessions, strengthening students' spoken fluency and listening comprehension skills.
Assistant Professor of English
Sapientia University
Targu Mures, Romania
10.2002 - 09.2003
- Taught 4 English language courses per semester: speaking, listening, writing, reading, and grammar at all proficiency levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
- Originated the curriculum for the program and grew it into a full program of study for the Language Department.
- Prepared course material and practice sheets as no textbooks were available.
- Prepared detailed lesson plans and engaging lessons based on course objective leading to improved student engagement and understanding.
- Designed and administered placement tests to incoming students.
- Conducted student assessments.
- Maintained flexible office hours for students.
English as a Foreign Language Teacher
Heltai Gaspar Language School
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
10.2000 - 09.2002
- Taught English language (all levels) for all age groups, including K-12 and adult learners.
- Implemented effective assessment strategies to evaluate student understanding and adjust instruction as needed.
- Adapted instructional materials to meet the diverse needs of students while maintaining curriculum standards.
- Integrated cultural elements into lesson plans, broadening students' global perspective and enhancing language acquisition.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Responsibilities included curriculum development, teaching, testing.
Editor
Tinivar Publishing House
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
10.2000 - 06.2002
- Responsibilities: involved in all aspects of the publication process, organizing and compiling books, content editing, copy editing, designing, and design editing.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality editorial work.
- Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
- Contributed original articles on various topics, showcasing versatility as a writer and editor.
- Improved overall readability of documents by reorganizing content and eliminating redundant information to enhance impact.
Hungarian Language Teacher
Britannia Language School
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
10.1998 - 09.2000
- Taught Hungarian language at all levels to all age groups (K-12, college, and adults).
- Responsibilities: teaching, testing.
- Developed personalized lesson plans tailored to individual learning needs, resulting in improved comprehension and retention of language concepts.
- Utilized various teaching techniques such as role-playing, storytelling, and group discussions to create engaging classroom experiences that catered to different learning styles.
- Assessed student progress regularly through quizzes, tests, and informal evaluations to ensure they were meeting course objectives.
Education
Ph.D. - ESL/Second Language Studies
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 08.2005 - 2010.06
Master of Arts - American Literature And Culture
Babes-Bolyai University
Cluj-Napoca, Romania 10.2000 - 2002.01
Bachelor of Arts - Hungarian And English
Babes-Bolyai University
Cluj-Napoca, Romania 10.1996 - 2000.07
Skills
Differentiated instruction; group and individual instruction
undefinedTimeline
Research Analyst
Tech Mahindra
08.2021 - 07.2022
Proofreader and Copy Editor
California Institute Of Technology
01.2019 - Current
Private Academic Tutor
Self Employed
08.2011 - Current
Lecturer
Purdue University
08.2010 - 06.2011
Graduate Instructor
Purdue University
08.2005 - 08.2010
Ph.D. - ESL/Second Language Studies
Purdue University
08.2005 - 2010.06
Language Tutor for International College Students
University Village At The University Of Notre Dame
08.2003 - 07.2005
Assistant Professor of English
Sapientia University
10.2002 - 09.2003
English as a Foreign Language Teacher
Heltai Gaspar Language School
10.2000 - 09.2002
Editor
Tinivar Publishing House
10.2000 - 06.2002
Master of Arts - American Literature And Culture
Babes-Bolyai University
10.2000 - 2002.01
Hungarian Language Teacher
Britannia Language School
10.1998 - 09.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Hungarian And English
Babes-Bolyai University
10.1996 - 2000.07
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Hungarian
Native or Bilingual
Romanian
Full Professional
Services and Related Experiences
ESL Speaker Series Organizer – ESL GO: ESL Graduate Student Organization, 2009-2010, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Session Chair – 1st Graduate Student ESL Symposium, April 4, 2009 West Lafayette, IN.
ESL GO! Webmaster and contributor - 2008-2009, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
ICaP Judge – ICaP Showcase, April 15, 2008, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Assistant staff – 2008 Purdue University 9th Annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Symposium, March 28-29, 2008, West Lafayette, IN.
Symposium assistant – Fifth Symposium on Second Language Writing: Practicing Theory in Second Language Writing, June 8-10, 2006, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Volunteer Work
2022-present - Science Olympiad Head Coach/Coordinator - Run Science Olympiad at Sierra Madre Middle School.
2020-present - President, Sierra Madre Middle School Annual Fund
2017-2020 - Treasurer, Sierra Madre Middle School Annual Fund
2011-present - volunteer in various roles in K-12 schools: program coordinator, PTA, room parent, etc.
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