Websites
Quote
Overview
Summary
Skills
Software
Work History
Education
Certification
Accomplishments
Interests
Work Preference
Timeline
Generic
Ursula Goodwin

Ursula Goodwin

Professional Nerd for Hire
New Braunfels,TX

Quote

Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems.
Rene Descartes

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience
22
22
years of post-secondary education

Summary

  • Instructional designer for USAA and IBM
  • Graphic and web design for AT&T U-verse, Motorola, Verizon
  • Created Educational Technology Dept. curriculum
  • Experience in education and language curriculum
  • UI and design for Insurance and FinServ industries
  • Extensive website design & development experience
  • Language learning and tech design experience
  • PK-HS and Adult Learning classroom experience
  • Accomplished artist - painting, drawing, mosaics, photography, murals

Skills

  • Complex Problem-Solving and Needs Assessment
  • Instructional Strategies and Technologies
  • Project-based and Discovery Learning
  • Verbal and written Language Instruction
  • Early Childhood through Adult Education levels
  • Adaptable, Resourceful, and Self-motivated
  • Differentiated Group and Individual instruction
  • Student Motivation and Engagement
  • Video Conferencing and Online Teaching
  • Team Collaboration and Professionalism

Software

Adobe Studio (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver)

Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Ppt, Visio)

LMS/Whiteboard platforms (Google Classroom)

Articulate/Captivate

HTML/CSS/Javascript

IMovie/Canva

Work History

GUEST TEACHER

IDEA, George Gershin, and Doral Academy (contract with Kokua Education)
Austin, TX
12.2023 - 02.2024
  • Substitute Teacher with IDEA charter school system, over 10+ campuses across the Austin and San Antonio areas
    Taught bilingual groups of scholars from Pre-K to College Prep
    Covered all core ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies subjects, plus the AR Zone, Physics, Art, PE, Yearbook, Spanish, and the Computer Technology Lab.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER/CONTENT CREATOR

Various Online Schools and Academies
New Braunfels, TX
04.2018 - 12.2023
  • ESL Teacher with Tooti Language, iTutorGroup, Cartus, and 51Talk/HAWO American Academy, certified in TESOL and TEYL
    Adapt company-provided and create original content for unique student needs to ensure success and confidence to practice written and verbal language development
    Facilitated 1,500+ small group and individual online sessions
    Recognized by HAWO for Making Learning Visible.ESL Teacher with IDEA, Cartus, 51Talk, HAWO American Academy, certified in TESOL and TEYL
  • Adapt company-provided content for unique student needs to ensure success and confidence to practice verbal language development
  • Facilitated 1,500+ small group and individual online sessions
  • Recognized by HAWO for Making Learning Visible.

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM MANAGER AND INSTRUCTOR

i Cento School
New Braunfels, TX
08.2010 - 05.2016
  • Designed, built, and maintained the Technology program for a Reggio Emilia private school
    Developed a comprehensive, tailored curriculum for students K-5 at all literacy levels and abilities, identified solutions to manage limited equipment inventory at minimal cost, set up and maintained all workstations, taught biweekly lessons to 400 elementary students, and provided training support to 50 fellow teachers and professional staff members.
    Developed innovative approaches for meeting SACSOC accreditation standards of technology integration across the curriculum, experiential learning, literacy and diversity.
    Managed the brainstorming, scriptwriting, storyboarding, shooting, editing and publication of 10 class video productions with iMovie using hand drawn animation, claymation, and greenscreen.
    Served as Tech Lab founder and administrator, maintaining workstations, software, and providing network support.
    Built and maintained an LMS website over multiple genrations to host administrative content for staff and communicate with parents.

PRINCIPAL PARTNER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER

UDesigns
Dallas, Austin, and New Braunfels, TX
01.2000 - 08.2010

Provided freelance web and graphic design services to 10 clients for logos, promotional campaigns, websites, animations, newsletters, and image collateral.

Projects include:
i Cento School
AskMelissa.com
Beg Dog Bakery
UT Chapter: Texas Journal of Women and the Law
Arlington Stained Glass

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

IBM (contract with Paragon Industries)
New Braunfels, TX
06.2008 - 07.2008
  • Designed and created Service Desk-focused materials for web-based training products based on high level design documentation, team leadership and customer input
  • Worked with a project manager and design team to communicate and manage project deliverables.
  • Collaborated with subject matter experts to create accurate, relevant, and effective learning content.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

USAA
San Antonio, TX
08.2006 - 04.2008
  • Led 5 instructional design projects for $35B Fortune 500 financial services leader, with 35,000 employees
    Initially under contract with TEKSystems, later employed directly as a full-time Instructional Designer.
    Designed or revised web-based e-learning programs for New Employee Onboarding, Customer Service, Settlement Negotiation, Property Insurance Coverage, and College Savings Accounts.
    Saved 5000+ man-hours creating Reusable Learning Objects for Employee Development department.
    Built self-paced learning plans blended with web-based training and activities that applied specific skill sets to customer care relations for New Member Solutions.
    Assembled 100+ hours of continuing education credit documentation for State Board of Insurance to fulfill professional licensing requirements.

GRAPHIC DESIGN, INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN, WEBSITES

Various Clients and Agencies
Dallas, Austin, and New Braunfels, TX
01.2000 - 02.2007
  • Multiple graphic design, UI/UX, and website projects for leading name brand marketers through contracts with ad agencies, website developers, and a university
    Gained extensive exposure working with national/global brands and their design agencies.
    SENIOR VISUAL DESIGNER - AT&T U-verse initial product user interface (Sapphire Technologies - Avenue A/Razorfish Agency), 2006
    CURRICULUM DESIGN/TEACHER/WORKSHOP STAFF - Texas State University, 2003 - 2005
    GRAPHIC/WEB INTERFACE DESIGNER - Motorola Creative Services (Liaison Resources), 2002
    WEB INTERFACE DESIGNER - Blacksnipe Software, (Streetware Technologies) 2001
    WEB GRAPHIC DESIGNER - Verizon, Fairfield Residential, First Preston Mgt (The Creative Group) 2000 - 2001

INFORMATION SPECIALIST

United States Air Force
09.1991 - 09.1995
  • Senior Airman coordinating cargo/passenger-management operations at Ramstein AB and McChord AFB
  • Desert Storm/Desert Shield veteran with humanitarian service record
  • Served in the McChord AFB Honor Guard

Education

Master of Arts - Education

Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
01.2003 - 05.2024

Bachelor of Arts - Fine Art

The University of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX
08.1995 - 12.1999

Certification

  • TEA Teaching Certification, 2005 to present
  • TEYL/TESOL Certification, 2019
  • Adobe UI/UX Certification, 2020

Accomplishments

Raised two amazingly resilient neurodivergent children who attend postsecondary school after surviving devastating mental health crises, family tragedies, and a global pandemic.

Dedicated two decades to learning theory and technologies that have positively affected the lives of hundreds of children and their families across the globe in an effort to help people communicate and make the world a better place.

Designed a 130 foot long playground fence mural for the 2002 United Way Day of Caring in Austin, TX which was drawn and painted by an untrained group of volunteers in a single day.

Traveled to 17 countries on 4 continents, can speak at least one phrase in 10 languages, and lived in Germany twice.

Interests

Painting

Gardening

Antiques

Work Preference

Work Type

Full TimeContract Work

Work Location

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCompany CultureWork from home option

Timeline

GUEST TEACHER

IDEA, George Gershin, and Doral Academy (contract with Kokua Education)
12.2023 - 02.2024

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER/CONTENT CREATOR

Various Online Schools and Academies
04.2018 - 12.2023

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM MANAGER AND INSTRUCTOR

i Cento School
08.2010 - 05.2016

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

IBM (contract with Paragon Industries)
06.2008 - 07.2008

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

USAA
08.2006 - 04.2008

Master of Arts - Education

Texas State University
01.2003 - 05.2024

PRINCIPAL PARTNER, GRAPHIC DESIGNER

UDesigns
01.2000 - 08.2010

GRAPHIC DESIGN, INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN, WEBSITES

Various Clients and Agencies
01.2000 - 02.2007

Bachelor of Arts - Fine Art

The University of Texas At Arlington
08.1995 - 12.1999

INFORMATION SPECIALIST

United States Air Force
09.1991 - 09.1995
Ursula GoodwinProfessional Nerd for Hire