Mel Ausua
Grand Rapids,MI
Summary
Highly trained educator with experiences working in a variety of communities and positions within the field. Patient with a distinguished understanding of middle school to college-level classrooms and comprehensive English Language Arts instruction. Talent for monitoring student growth and creating detailed and individualized lesson plans. Dedicated to cultural awareness and age-appropriate lessons. Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Challenged students with rigorous coursework and engaged them with exposure to cultural vignettes. Superb communications skills and dedication to students leading to positive results. Committed to enhancing overall student success by maintaining productive relationships with students and parents and updating educational protocols.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
At-Risk/Migrant Interventionist
Kent City Community Schools
01.2022 - Current
- Used positive reinforcement and provided clear feedback to help students succeed.
- Personalized instruction based on needs, interests and capabilities of individual students.
- Reviewed course materials and student progress to identify strengths and weaknesses for future improvements.
- Facilitated class discussion to help students work through questions and expand understanding.
- Provided individual mentoring and special tutoring to struggling students.
English Teacher
Godwin Heights High School
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
- Planned dynamic lessons to increase student comprehension of books and literary concepts.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Served as languages department member and attended meetings to develop and update course curricula.
Summer School English Teacher
Kentwood Public Schools
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Planned dynamic lessons to increase student comprehension of books and literary concepts.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
English Instructor
Early College Program At Montcalm Comm. College
08.2013 - 06.2021
- Designing and implementing an original English curriculum which both satisfies Michigan high school English Language Arts requirements and prepares students for college-level literacy expectations.
- For a pilot early college program: Developing, administering, and evaluating policies, schedules, and school culture, first with just the administrator and later incorporating 3 more teachers into the team.
- For a caseload of 30-40 mentees: track their progress until they graduate from the college, monitor their grades and credits, ensure they are maintaining a sustainable work/school balance, monitor emotional adjustment, provide any other support necessary for an at-risk population to ensure they complete their degree program.
Writing Camp Teacher
Lake Michigan Writing Project
04.2017 - 01.2019
- Led groups of children safely through variety of camp activities.
- Created and implemented hands-on activities that enhanced children's learning.
- Helped to maintain fun and interactive classroom.
- Documented and shared special moments and important milestones with children.
- Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.
- Conducted classes and workshops for students on special topics of interest.
- Worked with Co-Teacher to devise and implement support plans to help students excel.
Presenter
National Council For Teachers Of English
10.2017 - 10.2017
- National Convention
Presenter
American Association Of Teaching And Curriculum
09.2016 - 09.2016
Adjunct Professor of English
Montcalm Community College
Sidney, MI
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Employed diverse teaching approaches to help students of all abilities understand material.
- Selected and prepared educational resources, taking account of students' interests and cultural backgrounds.
- Developed lesson plans and adapted curriculum to meet individual needs of students
- Used effective teaching techniques and learning strategies in translating lesson plans into productive student learning experiences
Fellow
Lake Michigan Writing Project
05.2015 - 06.2015
Writer
La Voz Bilingual Publication
Grand Rapids, MI
04.2013 - 01.2015
- Utilized exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content.
- Organized material to research and complete writing tasks.
- Wrote and edited high-quality content and visually impactful programs under deadline pressure with exciting, captivating and authentic approach.
- Completed thorough research into assigned topics.
- Interviewed individuals by phone, email, and in person to write stories for weekly newspaper column.
- Coordinated with subject matter experts for interviews and topic generation.
Bilingual Paraeducator
Wyoming Intermediate School
Grand Rapids, MI
08.2012 - 06.2013
- Paraeducator (English/Spanish)
- Present reading interventions for small groups of struggling readers
- Transferred to media center paraeducator position in April, 2013
- Summer School paraeducator, working with ELL
- Encouraged dynamic and pleasant educational environment by promoting both gentle discipline and cooperation.
Bilingual Teacher Interventionist
Burton Middle School
01.2011 - 06.2012
- 6-8
- Assisting students who are displaced from their regular classes with homework or classwork in all content areas
- Contacting parents and administrator to update on progress
- Participated in staff meetings to advocate for students of different backgrounds.
- Documented student attendance and progress against goals.
Grade ELA Teacher
Godwin Heights Public Schools
, MI
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Responsible for teaching a standards-based curriculum to a 6 hour class load
- Units taught included MEAP prep, poetry and grammar
- Collaborating with a team of 4 other 7th grade teachers, a MEAP consultant, and a curriculum specialist.
Grade ELA Teacher
Waianae Intermediate School
Waianae, HI
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Responsible for teaching a standards-based curriculum to a team of 95 students, in an at-risk, high-poverty environment
- Also, closely monitoring attendance, grades, behavior, social development, home environment, etc
- For a group of approximately 25 students in homeroom class, and keeping close contact with their parents/guardians
- Collaborating with ELA department teachers and literacy coach on curriculum rollout, and with a team of 4 other teachers including: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and co-teaching with a Special Education Resource teacher.
Education
M.A. Literacy - Literacy Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI2014
B.A. - Secondary English Education
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI2009
Skills
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Test Methods Knowledge
- Instructional Plan Implementation
- Instructional Materials Creation
- Instructional Strategies
- Curriculum Development
- Providing Feedback
- Student Motivation and Engagement
- Effective Written and Verbal Communication
- G Suite and MS Office
- Individual Mentoring
Certification
Michigan Professional Teaching Certificate #IF0000000303920, exp. 2025
Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach K-12
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
At-Risk/Migrant Interventionist
Kent City Community Schools
01.2022 - Current
English Teacher
Godwin Heights High School
08.2021 - 12.2021
Summer School English Teacher
Kentwood Public Schools
06.2021 - 08.2021
Presenter
National Council For Teachers Of English
10.2017 - 10.2017
Writing Camp Teacher
Lake Michigan Writing Project
04.2017 - 01.2019
Presenter
American Association Of Teaching And Curriculum
09.2016 - 09.2016
Fellow
Lake Michigan Writing Project
05.2015 - 06.2015
Adjunct Professor of English
Montcalm Community College
01.2014 - 01.2016
English Instructor
Early College Program At Montcalm Comm. College
08.2013 - 06.2021
Writer
La Voz Bilingual Publication
04.2013 - 01.2015
Bilingual Paraeducator
Wyoming Intermediate School
08.2012 - 06.2013
Bilingual Teacher Interventionist
Burton Middle School
01.2011 - 06.2012
Grade ELA Teacher
Godwin Heights Public Schools
01.2010 - 01.2011
Grade ELA Teacher
Waianae Intermediate School
01.2009 - 01.2010
M.A. Literacy - Literacy Studies
Western Michigan University
B.A. - Secondary English Education
Grand Valley State University
Michigan Professional Teaching Certificate #IF0000000303920, exp. 2025
Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach K-12
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