Neil McCarthy
Irvine,USA
Summary
Seasoned instructor with over 20 years of experience in English teaching, English language teaching, academic administration, and curriculum development. Professional writer, editor, a poet; authored grammar book Rapid English Grammar (2020) and poetry collection Stopgap Grace (Salmon Poetry, 2018). Global perspective as dual Irish-U.S. citizen having traveled and worked extensively abroad in Australia, the US, Austria, Finland, China, Germany and Ireland. Patient and calm listener with focus on problem solving and empowering others.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
English Teacher, Middle School
New Horizon Private School
01.2025 - Current
- Teaches 6th through 8th grade English: language & literature
- Develops ELA syllabus in line with Californian Standards
- Liaises with parents and community groups
- Arrival & Dismissal Duty
- Lesson planning and Community of Practice – shared resources
- Creates original content for new courses
- Coaches 7th and 8th grade soccer
- Founded & currently oversees school literary journal
English Teacher, Part-time
Irvine Valley College
01.2025 - Current
- Develops and implemented lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles and abilities.
- Enhances student engagement through interactive teaching methods and technology integration.
- Assesses student performance and provided constructive feedback to foster improvement.
- Delivers engaging, inclusive lessons
Academic Director
AOI College of Languages
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Implemented and oversaw academic policies and procedures
- Monitored instructional delivery & trained teachers as needed
- Developed syllabi & curriculum; liaised with industry reps to find newest learning resources
- Enforced SAP policy
- Maintained membership in professional organizations, including TESOL and ACCET, and ensured that memberships benefit the staff and school
- Conducted, reviewed, and organized faculty and student surveys, reacting to feedback, implementing changes where necessary
- Created original content for new courses
Head Teacher
The Cambridge Institute
01.2008 - 2023
- Oversaw all functions of academic operations including recruitment of new teachers, in-house training, course allocations and monitoring student progress
- Developed curriculum with original content and wrote 32 original grammar workshops
- Overhauled coursebook inventory and implemented new series based on latest online learning platforms
- Liaised with students on daily basis to manage concerns, complaints and monitor academic progress
- Taught all levels either in group or one-to-one setting, composition, and exam preparation courses Cambridge Exams (FCE, CAE, CPE, BEC, ILEC), as well as IELTS, and TOEFL
Program Co-Ordinator
Mentor Language Institute
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Managed new Hollywood branch campus academic affairs while serving as core faculty member
- Organized schedules, personnel, textbooks, and facilities and administered diagnostic level testing
- Led faculty through successful national ACCET accreditation by developing compliant curriculum
- Interviewed and onboarded pre-service faculty and facilitated professional development workshops for in-service faculty
Language Trainer and Assistant Director of Studies
Galway Cultural Institute
01.2002 - 01.2008
- Supported Director of Studies by tracking student progress, attendance and test grades.
- Taught all levels from A1 to C2
- Provided specialized Business English training with one-to-one clients that included Airbus and Volkswagen
- Organized weekly cultural activities for students
Education
Master of Arts - Education and Educational Leadership
University of Limerick
Ireland05-2026
BA - English Literature/Geography
National University of Ireland
Galway, Ireland01.2001
ESL teaching certificate - undefined
Galway Business School
01.2002
Skills
- Event Organization: facilitated dozens of concerts over the past 20 years in Ireland, the US and Austria for national and international poets and musicians
- Published poet and critic, keen on inspire others to write
- Editing and Proofreading: worked as freelance editor and proofreader for the UN and the IAEA in Vienna
- Case solving: assisted international law firm in solving a variety of humanitarian cases from 2015-2023
- Part of a committee which organized the Irish Ball in Austria every year to raise money for local children’s hospitals
- Soccer coach, with high-level playing experience
- Student support and motivation - often meet with students on one-to-one basis to discuss challenges and agree on best practice solutions
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
German
Professional Working
French
Elementary
Awards
Shine Strong Award for Stopgap Grace (2019) shortlisted
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Stopgap Grace (Salmon Poetry, 2018) https://www.salmonpoetry.com/details.php?ID=449&a=313
- Dublin Review of Books, essayist/critic: https://drb.ie/articles/more-than-a-small-glow/
- Review of Stopgap Grace: https://compulsivereader.com/2019/07/15/a-review-of-stopgap-grace-by-neil-mccarthy/
Hobbies
Public speaking, writing, history, event organization, soccer, literature discussion groups
Timeline
English Teacher, Middle School
New Horizon Private School
01.2025 - Current
English Teacher, Part-time
Irvine Valley College
01.2025 - Current
Academic Director
AOI College of Languages
01.2023 - 01.2025
Program Co-Ordinator
Mentor Language Institute
01.2012 - 01.2014
Head Teacher
The Cambridge Institute
01.2008 - 2023
Language Trainer and Assistant Director of Studies
Galway Cultural Institute
01.2002 - 01.2008
BA - English Literature/Geography
National University of Ireland
ESL teaching certificate - undefined
Galway Business School
Master of Arts - Education and Educational Leadership
University of Limerick