Susanna Theo
Gettysburg,PA
Summary
Experienced ESL/USCIS instructor delivering results-focused teaching for consistent, measurable academic achievement. Easily manages both large and small classes using adaptable strategies that appeal to diverse personalities, cultural backgrounds and learning styles. Accustomed to both in-person and online instruction environments, allowing for optimal lesson engagement and schedule flexibility. Detail-oriented, well versed in instructional design and adult learning principles. Expert in aligning lesson aims in creating robust training programs enabling individuals to flourish. Highly adept in writing training materials and uncovering opportunities to improve programs with noted top results.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ESL/USCIS Adult Education Instructor
Beaufort County Adult Education
Beaufort, SC
09.2018 - Current
- · Working with non-native speakers by creating a thriving ESL student learning community (virtual) where there is achievement noted by ABE level gains and consistent attendance
- · Address specific learning needs of 40 students to recognize their potential earning successful gains.
- · Educated students in basics of English grammar and conversational speaking.
- · Developed and taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities where positive reinforcement and clear feedback lead to students success.
- Designed English grammar teaching aids, instructional software, multimedia visual aids and study materials.
- · Managed small and large groups of students for classroom and off-site instruction.
- · Provided individual mentoring and special tutoring to struggling students.
- · Prepared students for tests by teaching relevant concepts and enforcing good test-taking strategies
- · Honor received for this role in, from South Carolina Department of Education “Stepped Up to the Plate Award”
- Additional role in teaching for Adult Education Beaufort County -
- · GED Instructor working with students of all ethnicities, diversity and educational levels to successfully attain their GED
- · Work with students to successfully increase passing scores for college placement through Next Generation Accuplacer Assessment
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications
Instructor/Facilitator
Protocol and Etiquette Services
Hampton Roads, VA
09.1998 - 09.2018
- Design and facilitated all levels of Business Communication skills programs to include organization and development of each aspect of program presentation i.e.- workbooks, power points, pre/post assessments, activities, etc
- Entrepreneur
- Successfully own and operates all aspects of small business
- Organizing programs from inception to completion for highly diverse client population
- Accomplished in all areas of event planning small and large, private or corporate
- Research and develop programs with up to date on trend mainstream information
- Proven Master Networking Skills meeting goals of marketing and long-term relationship building
- Used diverse teaching materials and motivational approaches to reduce learning gaps and instruct students.
- Oversaw curriculum development and implementation in alignment with best practices
Senior Instructor/ Program Development
Novustar, LLC
Falls Church, VA
05.2010 - 11.2012
- All aspects of program development and delivery
- Topics successfully developed and taught to US Federal employees throughout United States and abroad included, but not limited to- Effective Writing Skills, Action Officer, Email Etiquette
- Meeting and exceeding core competencies guidelines and course objectives through a highly interactive approach where all areas of learning are met
- Positive and concise interfacing with all personnel to include highest US Government levels and NATO
- Sustain positive US government background clearance as NOVUstar is a government contractor.
- Organized special activities to build team cohesion and promote learning
- Completed assessments of target information and adjusted training plans accordingly
- Earned top instructor evaluations
Education
B.S - Psychology
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN07.2023
Instructional Design, course work -
Ashford University
San Diego, CA2018
Virginia Math Science Partnership Program -
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA08.2014
A.S - Liberal Arts
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA12.2008
Skills
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Cultural Immersion
- English as a Second Language
- Tutoring and Student Assistance
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Positive Learning Environment
- Instructional Strategies
- Multi Cultural Community Building
Certification
ITTT International TEFL &TESOL 120 Hour Certification 2022
ESL Burlington English Certification2020
Global Career Development Facilitator Certification 2020,
Master Coach, ICF Certification 2017
Professional Coach, ICF Certification 2016
Virginia Court Mediator Certification 2009
Media Mastery, Certification 2008
Allen Media Strategies
Protocol & Etiquette Instructor Certification 1998
The Protocol School of Washington
Accomplishments
- Theo, Susanna Marie “Civility Begins with a Smile” Page Publishing New York, NY 2016
- Theo, Susanna
- Career Ruining Social Blunders - You Don’t Know You’re Making; Professional Skills.” bus-ex.com
- 2011
- Theo, Susanna
- People Skills - Social Boundaries Can Be Blurry.” Spirit Southwest Airlines Magazine
- 2011
Honors and Awards
2021 "Stepped Up to the Plate" Award - Adult Education South Carolina
Presented to an Adult Educaton program that developed innovative solutions to address the many challenges that arose during
the 2020-2021 program year.
2011 NOVUstar Chairman's Award "Service above and beyond the call of duty." - NOVUstar, LLC
2008 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA UNITED NATIONS DAY - Award for Outstanding Service presented by Governor Mark Warner
Timeline
ESL/USCIS Adult Education Instructor
Beaufort County Adult Education
09.2018 - Current
Senior Instructor/ Program Development
Novustar, LLC
05.2010 - 11.2012
Instructor/Facilitator
Protocol and Etiquette Services
09.1998 - 09.2018
B.S - Psychology
Capella University
Instructional Design, course work -
Ashford University
Virginia Math Science Partnership Program -
University of Virginia
A.S - Liberal Arts
Tidewater Community College
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