Lydia Underwood

Pui Tak Center is a historic landmark and community center in the heart of Chinatown, Chicago that seeks to serve immigrants and refugees in their adjustment to the US.

• My duties and experience include:
• Creating rigorous adult ESL lessons according to the Illinois Content Standards
• Incorporate level-appropriate curriculum from a variety of sources
• Administering internal and standardized tests (CASAS, Best Plus, Module assessments)
• Keep class attendance records and student progress portfolios
• Build relationships with students and their families in the community
• Attend conferences and in-services for professional development
• Work collaboratively on a team of over 25 teacher and staff in the Adult Education Department
• Serve on the Teachers Advisory Board to address concerns and problem-solve solutions within the program
• Tailor lesson plans to accommodate differences in learning styles and speeds.
• Deliver and develop lesson plans by using broad range of teaching techniques and strategies.

Certifications:

• ESL Proficient Instructor certified by the Adult Learning Resource Center, IL
• ESL Specialist certified by the Adult Learning Resource Center, IL

• Taught full-time at a teacher's training college
• Mentored groups of 18-25 year old students
• Course design and developing curriculum
• Coordinate English corner and cultural events programming for the department
• Collaborated with Chinese English professors in the Foreign Language Department
• Worked closely with other foreign English teachers (including missionaries)
• Hosted student parties and other extra curricular activities to build relationship
• Adhered to the University's academic schedule, paperwork, and procedures
• Demonstrated cultural awareness, sensitivity to others, strong communication skills, and flexibility
• Connected with students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and empowered them to make the most of their educational, networking, and social opportunities

• Worked closely with students to support their growth academically, socially, and spiritually
• Mentored individual students
• Hosted class parties and various activities to engage students and build relationship outside of class
• Designed college-level courses for second language acquisition and developed curriculum with co-teachers
• Hosted English corners and cross-cultural programming in conjunction with the Foreign Language Department
• Administered examinations, organized semester schedules, filed all school-required paperwork
• Demonstrated a strong commitment to intentional communal living and pursuit of God with other teachers
• Organized a sports club to engage students
• Judged speech competitions, talent shows, and other English department programming
• Boosted student participation rates by creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment.