Samantha LoCoco
Dallas
Summary
Results-driven Learning and Development Professional with expertise in designing and delivering tailored learning programs. Employs instructional design principles to enhance student engagement and knowledge retention. Committed to fostering inclusive and engaging environments for diverse learners.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Literacy Specialist, ADSA
Southern Methodist University
01.2023 - Current
- Reviewed academic performance, maintained accurate student documentation and records to support academic success
- Ensure adherence to NCAA, FERPA, and SMU academic integrity policies
- Served as disabilities liaison with SMU’s DASS office, facilitating accommodations applications and testing as needed
- Communicate with Athletics regarding student-athletes on ADHD medications or other potentially banned substances
- Tracked academic performance of student-athletes to identify support needs of all student-athletes in intervention and adjust support as needed
- Meet with Academic Counselors to establish and review student-athlete support every semester
Writing Specialist, ADSA
Southern Methodist University
05.2021 - 01.2023
- Developed and implemented individualized academic support plans for at-risk student-athletes
- Created and delivered structured study halls tailored to student-athlete group needs
- Provided one-on-one academic coaching for reading, writing, organization, testing, and problem-solving skills
- Taught and reinforced general study skills such as note-taking, test prep, and how to utilize on-campus resources
- Assessed, reviewed, and evaluated incoming and returning student-athletes to identify at-risk students and potential LDs
Adjunct Professor
Southern Methodist University
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Taught academic writing and rhetoric to incoming first-year and transfer students
- Conferenced with students three times per semester to improve writing and analytical skills
- Offered written feedback on four essays per student per semester with a focus on sentence-level construction, scholarly conversation, and college-level analysis
Teaching Artist, Editor
Community Word Project
05.2017 - 08.2019
- Taught poetry to sixth- through ninth-graders in the Bronx
- Collaborated with visual and theater artists to create engaging class curriculums
- Designed and edited end-of-residency anthologies to showcase student work
- Guided students in crafting compelling oral presentations and college entrance essays
- Created group action statement for Inside Out Project collaboration for ninth-grade students
Education Associate, Teaching Artist, Editor
Teachers & Writers Collaborative
05.2016 - 08.2019
- Collaborated with senior staff and program directors to develop training program
- Taught poetry, narrative, and opinion writing to second graders in the Bronx
- Developed playwriting skills with seniors at VISIONS in Manhattan
- Coordinated with Teaching Artists to develop and edit weekly lesson plans for online publication, ensuring high-quality instructional resources
- Led writing warm-ups to review vocabulary and ignite excitement for the day’s lesson
- Contributed teacher interviews, poems, and photos for online T&W magazine articles
Teaching Assistant for Senior Thesis in Illustration
Parsons School of Design
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Guided students in developing narrative structures for their theses
- Critiqued artistic processes and narrative through-lines to enhance student projects
- Provided weekly progress notes to professors detailing student performance on students’ progress to professors
Assistant to the Program Director
Expressive Therapies Summit
09.2013 - 09.2015
- Proofread and edited Summit website, enhancing clarity and accessibility for over 900 participants
- Created mailing lists, labels, and ID cards for all Summit participants and staff, ensuring accurate communication and identification
- Verified sources for accuracy used on website and printed materials
Assistant to the Program Director
Hudson Guild
08.2013 - 05.2014
- Created inviting atmosphere for children ages 3-5 and 11-13 and seniors, fostering engagement and comfort
- Developed art activities tailored to group interests and abilities, enhancing participation and creativity
- Strengthened group dynamic through storytelling and bookmaking, promoting collaboration and communication
- Coordinated program schedules, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and participant needs.
- Managed communications between stakeholders, fostering collaboration and information sharing.
Speaking Coordinator, Researcher, Copy Editor, Transcriptionist
Julie Cohen & Betsy West, Academy Award Nominated Documentarians, RBG
05.2018 - 04.2019
- Negotiated speaking contracts for filmmakers, securing favorable terms and ensuring successful engagements
- Arranged travel logistics for client trips
- Copy edited press material for distribution and online publications
- Organized event details for appearances at festivals, universities, and law offices, enhancing visibility and audience engagement
Research and Administrative Assistant, Copy Editor, Transcriptionist
Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
08.2015 - 04.2019
- Liaised between Gilbert and law offices, publishing houses, libraries, and universities to facilitate collaboration
- Conducted research on state and federal laws and local economies through newspaper archives and judicial libraries
- Organized and maintained 1000+ contact lists for email blasts and book or film announcements
- Read manuscript drafts and commented on narrative structure, characters, and other literary devices
- Transcribed recorded interviews for book manuscript
- Scheduled speaking engagements and finalized contract negotiations
- Transcribed recorded interviews to create accurate content for book manuscript
Freelance Writer, Editor, Transcriptionist
Recruiter.com
10.2016 - 02.2017
- Created ten monthly articles on the topics of women in the workforce, STEM advancements, and Human Resources innovations
- Developed ten monthly articles focusing on women in the workforce, STEM advancements, and Human Resources innovations to engage and inform readers
- Edited articles and web content to ensure clarity and accuracy for publication
- Transcribed recorded interviews to extract key quotes for articles and website content
Reader, Publishing & Editorial Intern
One Story
09.2016 - 01.2017
- Reviewed 25 short story submissions weekly to identify potential candidates for publication
- Processed book orders efficiently
- Managed editorial inquiries and maintained updated contact files for efficient communication
- Edited submitted manuscripts to ensure quality and readiness for final review
Researcher, Copy Editor, Transcriptionist
Karen Abbott, Author
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Researched court documents and Congressional records from 1920s to support legal analysis
- Located university theses, out-of-print newspaper articles, and archived documents for historical context
- Verified accuracy of source quotes from historical documents and historical facts
- Transcribed recorded interviews for use in book proposals and manuscripts
Literary Manager, Copy Editor, Dramaturg, Writer
InViolet Theater
08.2010 - 10.2015
- Expanded upon developing scripts in conjunction with the playwrights
- Collaborated with playwrights to enhance script development
- Researched historical settings and verified character backgrounds for mainstage productions
- Edited website and production materials to improve clarity and engagement for mainstage plays and scripted readings
Education
Master of Fine Arts - Creative Writing, Fiction
The New School
New York, NY05-2017
Bachelor of Arts - English and World Literatures
Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY05-2014
Skills
- Exceptional writing and critical thinking
- Classroom leadership
- Classroom management
- Writing workshops
- Team collaboration
- Writing facilitation
- Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook
- Google Docs
- WordPress
- Macs or PCs
- Collaborative teamwork
- Relationship building
Certification
TEA ID: 2672467
- Currently working with 240 Certification to complete my certification.
I am qualified for the following:
- EC-6 Core Subjects
- 4-8 Core Subjects
- Special Education Specialist EC-12
- 4-8 English Language Arts & Reading
- 7-12 English Language Arts & Reading
Timeline
Senior Literacy Specialist, ADSA
Southern Methodist University
01.2023 - Current
Writing Specialist, ADSA
Southern Methodist University
05.2021 - 01.2023
Adjunct Professor
Southern Methodist University
08.2019 - 05.2021
Speaking Coordinator, Researcher, Copy Editor, Transcriptionist
Julie Cohen & Betsy West, Academy Award Nominated Documentarians, RBG
05.2018 - 04.2019
Teaching Artist, Editor
Community Word Project
05.2017 - 08.2019
Freelance Writer, Editor, Transcriptionist
Recruiter.com
10.2016 - 02.2017
Reader, Publishing & Editorial Intern
One Story
09.2016 - 01.2017
Teaching Assistant for Senior Thesis in Illustration
Parsons School of Design
08.2016 - 05.2017
Education Associate, Teaching Artist, Editor
Teachers & Writers Collaborative
05.2016 - 08.2019
Research and Administrative Assistant, Copy Editor, Transcriptionist
Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
08.2015 - 04.2019
Researcher, Copy Editor, Transcriptionist
Karen Abbott, Author
08.2015 - 05.2016
Assistant to the Program Director
Expressive Therapies Summit
09.2013 - 09.2015
Assistant to the Program Director
Hudson Guild
08.2013 - 05.2014
Literary Manager, Copy Editor, Dramaturg, Writer
InViolet Theater
08.2010 - 10.2015
Bachelor of Arts - English and World Literatures
Marymount Manhattan College
Master of Fine Arts - Creative Writing, Fiction
The New School
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
- Extra Mile Award, Southern Methodist University, 2021
- Creative Writing Fellow, The New School, 2017
- The Joseph P. Clancy Award in Poetry, Marymount Manhattan College, 2013