Tiziana Rinaldi Castro

• Program Development:

• Curated and managed a comprehensive calendar of literary events, workshops, readings, and panel discussions.

• Residency Management:

• Oversaw the selection process for literary residents (writers and poets at different career stages), ensuring a diverse and high-quality cohort.

• Provided support and resources for residents, including mentorship and networking opportunities.

• Community Engagement:

• Fostered relationships with the local and national literary community, including writers, educators, and literary enthusiasts.

• Organized and hosted public events, showcasing residents’ work and promoting literary arts.

• Fundraising and Development:

• Collaborated with the development team to identify funding opportunities and secure grants to support literary programming.

• Prepared and presented proposals and reports to donors and sponsors.

• Administrative Duties:

• Stayed informed about trends and developments in the literary field to ensure the program remained relevant and innovative.

Key Accomplishments:

• Expanded the residency program’s reach by establishing partnerships with notable writers, literary and academic institutions.

• Curriculum Redevelopment:
• Successfully redesigned the Italian Language curriculum to enhance its academic rigor and cultural relevance, aligning it with contemporary pedagogical standards and the department’s objectives.
• Teaching Responsibilities:
• 2. Elementary Italian Language and Culture I and II:
• Instructed 18 foundational courses in Italian language, emphasizing basic grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills, alongside an introduction to Italian cultural contexts.
• Intermediate Italian Language Through Arts and Culture in the Renaissance:
• Taught 6 intermediate Italian courses focusing on language acquisition through the study of Renaissance art and culture, integrating historical texts, artworks, and cultural analysis to deepen linguistic proficiency.
• 3. Intermediate Italian Language and Contemporary Culture Through the Italian Cinematic Experience:
• Conducted 6 intermediate Italian courses utilizing contemporary Italian cinema as a medium to explore modern cultural themes, enhancing students’ language skills and cultural understanding through film analysis and discussion.
• 4. Mafia Through the Eyes of American and Italian Cinema:
• Developed an interdisciplinary course examining the portrayal of the Mafia in both American and Italian cinema, contrasting Hollywood’s sensationalized depiction with the Italian cinematic perspective of the Mafia as a socio-cultural issue.

Avant Assessment- A Language Proficiency Assessment Provider

• Provided expert consultation on more than 20 language proficiency tests, ensuring accuracy and relevance.

• Advised clients on best practices for test design and implementation to meet specific linguistic and educational goals.

• Reviewing:

• Conducted thorough reviews of language proficiency tests to ensure these met established standards.

• Evaluated effectiveness of test items and provided detailed feedback for improvement.

• Editing and Proofreading:

• Edited and proofread test materials to enhance clarity, coherence, and correctness.

• Ensured all test content was free of grammatical errors and appropriately calibrated for the target proficiency levels.

• Original Script Writing:

• Created original scripts for language proficiency tests, tailored to assess various language skills.

• Developed engaging and contextually appropriate test items to measure reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities.

• Collecting and Adapting Material:

• Sourced and adapted existing materials for use in language proficiency testing.

• Customized content to align with the specific linguistic and cultural context of the test-takers.

• Course Instruction:

• Taught 80 courses that included “Classical Mythology,” “Troy and the Trojan War,” and “Humanities I and II” to undergraduate students.
• Developed and delivered engaging lectures and course materials that explored key themes and texts in classical mythology and humanities.
• Curriculum Development:
• Designed and updated syllabi, lesson plans, and course assignments to align with academic standards and student learning objectives.
• Incorporated a variety of multimedia resources and innovative teaching methods to enhance student understanding and engagement.
• Online and Asynchronous Teaching:
• Created and managed online courses, utilizing various learning management systems (LMS) to deliver content effectively.
• Facilitated asynchronous learning by developing comprehensive online modules, discussion boards, and interactive activities.
• Student Engagement and Assessment:
• Fostered a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment that encouraged critical thinking and active participation.
• Assessed student performance through exams, essays, and projects, providing constructive feedback to promote academic growth.

• Course Instruction:

• Taught 2 course per semester “Italian Language I” and “Italian Language II,” focusing on developing students’ proficiency in Italian grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills.

• Employed a variety of pedagogical techniques to facilitate immersive and interactive language learning experiences.

• Curriculum Development:

• Integrated cultural content, such as Italian history, literature, and contemporary issues, to enrich language instruction and foster a deeper understanding of Italian culture.

• Student Engagement:

• Created a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment that encouraged active participation, collaboration, and critical thinking.

• Assessment and Feedback:

• Assessed student progress through exams, quizzes, oral presentations, and written assignments, providing detailed and constructive feedback.

Thesis: Exchanging Death for Life: The Legacy of Dionysus the Liberator. Sacrifice in Ancient Greece and in Modern Sardinian Carnivals

• Bachelor of Arts in Film and TV with a focus in screenwriting, documentary and narrative filmmaking.

• Studied Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

• Licenza liceale in Classical Studies with a focus in Ancient Greek and Latin Language and Literature, History, Philosophy, History of Art, Italian Literature