Education

2003 - M.A. - University of Arizona (Latin American Studies)
Fields of concentration: Border Studies and Political Science

2003 - Certificate in College Teaching - University of Arizona

2001 - B.A. - Ohio University (Honors: Magna cum laude)

1999 - Study Abroad - Mérida, México (Winter)) and Pamplona, Spain (Fall)

Teaching and Research Interests

• Incorporating service learning into the Spanish classroom
• Latin American diaspora in the United States
• Curriculum development for Spanish Heritage Learners

Courses Taught While at Miami

• SPN 331 (Spanish for Community Work)
• SPN 313 (Spanish Individualized Instruction)
• SPN 342 (Advanced Conversational Spanish)
• SPN 311 (Grammar Review and Intro to Composition)
• SPN 202 (Second Year Spanish)

Professional Recognition

• Nuestra Familia Award, Ohio Latino Affairs Commission. Presented with this award at the annual Governor’s Distinguished Hispanic Ohioans Awards Gala in Columbus, Ohio on October 7, 2016.
• Graduate Tuition Scholarship Award, University of Arizona, 2001.
• Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Honor Society, 2001.
• Phi Beta Kappa, 2001.
• Ohio University Dean’s List, 1997-2001.

Grants and Awards

• Grant adviser for National Education Association Foundation Grant “Sonia Nazario, Enrique's Journey: Integrating current immigration issues across the curriculum”.
  
• Minor Teaching CELT grant: "Spanish Individualized Instruction", Awarded 2015.
• Summer Humanities Institutes for Teachers Grant. “Ohio Hispanic/Latino Community: Literary, Cultural and Pedagogical Perspectives”, Awarded December 2011 and December 2012.
• Howe Center for Writing Excellence Faculty Grant. “Incorporating Proficiency Writing into Spanish 311”, Awarded May 2011.
• Center for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching, and University Assessment Minor Teaching Grant. “Spanish for Community Work”, Awarded October 2011.
• Summer Humanities Institutes for Teachers Grant. “Ohio Hispanic/Latino Community: Literary, Cultural and Pedagogical Perspectives”, Awarded December 2011.
• Howe Center for Writing Excellence Faculty Grant. “Incorporating Proficiency Writing into Spanish 311”, Awarded May 2011.
• Center for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching, and University Assessment Minor Teaching Grant. “Spanish for Community Work”, Awarded October 2011.

Selected Publications

• Editing of Cuidándonos. Manual de Capacitación para el Programa de Promotores de Salud. Santa Maria Community Services. Feb. 2010.
• Translation of “City of Hamilton Roundtable Points on Fair Housing & Affordable Housing.” Miami Valley Fair Housing Center. Nov. 2007.
• Translation of “Survey of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and Affordable Housing in the City of Hamilton.” Miami Valley Fair Housing Center. Nov. 2007.

Presentations

• "Who are we? Diversifying cultural representation as a social justice tool." 2018 Annual Convention and World Language Expo. November 2018.
• "Strike a balance: Integrating performance and proficiency in writing." The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 2018 Annual Convention and World Language Expo. November 2018.
• "Integrating Social Justice in Spanish Heritage Courses." 5th National Symposium on Spanish as a Heritage Language. April 2018.
• “Beyond Tacos and Toreros: Diversifying Cultural Representation.” Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. March 2017.
• “A Local Analysis of Immigrants- Community service for positive change”. Presentation to Professor Kim Medley’s Global Peace course. Miami University. February 2017.
  
• "Integrating the community into the classroom." Department of Spanish and Portuguese Lecture Series. April 2016.
• "Spanish for Community Work." Greater Cincinnati Service-Learning Higher Ed Symposium. February 2016.
• "Infusing Immigration Dynamics in Our Global Classrooms." 2016 Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. March 2016
• “Spanish for Community Work: Development and Implementation of a Service-Learning Course.” Annual Conference of the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges. Wright State University; Lake Campus. October 2014.
• “Infusing immigration dynamics in our global classrooms.” The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 2014 Annual Convention and World Language Expo. November 2014.
• “Be different: preparing stand-out students for the job market.” The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. 2013 Annual Convention and World Language Expo. November 2013.
• “Integrating Technology into the Jigsaw Approach: A Cultural Exploration of Uruguay.” The Enliving and Enriching the Language Classroom. Miami University. January 2011.
• “Elementos Fundamentales: Translating Assets to Latino Communities in Greater Cincinnati.” Search Institute Conference. November 2009.
• “Successful Outreach to Hispanics.” Duke Energy Community Services Workshop. August 2009.
• “Politics and Neoliberalism: Mexican Public Opinion.” Latin American Brown Bags Series. University of Arizona. November 2002.
• “Teaching Tools for Learner-Centered Instruction.” Graduate Assistant in Teaching Orientation. University of Arizona. August 2002.

Membership in Professional Organizations

• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
• Spanish for Heritage Learners Special Interest Group, ACTFL

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• Portuguese (basic understanding)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Professional Experience

Lecturer.
August 2011-present. Miami University; Oxford, Ohio.

• Teach intermediate, advanced-intermediate and advanced Spanish courses.
• Coordinate all aspects of the Spanish 311 courses.
• Train and supervise 311 instructors.
• Write exams and answer keys to be used department-wide.
• Create writing prompts and design rubrics based on ACTFL standards for in-class and take-home compositions.
• Guide students through the courses that they need to complete in order to obtain a Spanish minor.
• Develop the curriculum for Spanish 331, a service-learning course.
• Co-direct the Summer Teachers Institute, “Ohio Hispanic/Latino Community: Literary, Cultural and Pedagogical Perspectives”.

Instructor; Course Coordinator
August 2010-August 2011. Miami University; Oxford, Ohio.

• Taught intermediate and advanced-intermediate Spanish courses at the undergraduate level.
• Coordinated all aspects of the Spanish 202 courses.
• Trained and supervised instructors.
• Monitored the creation and editing of exams for use department-wide.
• Resolved student grievances and responded to their inquiries from all sections under coordination.
• Consulted with the Basic Language Sequence coordination team to ensure continuity and consistency in policies, methodology, and course work between the introductory and intermediate levels.
• Guided students through the courses that they need to complete in order to obtain a Spanish minor.
• Developed and implemented a 300-level Spanish Service Learning independent study as a one credit option for my SPN 311 courses.

Bilingual Health Promotion and Education Specialist
June 2008-August 2010. Su Casa Hispanic Center; Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Developed the English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Literacy programs.
• Coordinated the Computer, Spanish, ESL and Adult Literacy programs.
• Developed curricula and assessment tools for adult education programs.
• Taught various classes including “Spanish for Police Officers”.
• Supervised Vacaciones Útiles, a 10 week summer program for children ages 3-7, which aims to prepare the students for the upcoming school year.
• Coordinated two health fairs a year.
• Organized various workshops related to health and education topics.
• Trained and supervised volunteers.
• Participated in grant writing and development.

Spanish Instructor
January 2010-March 2010. The Art Institute of Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Taught Elementary Spanish at the undergraduate level.
• Developed curriculum and assessment tools.

Program Assistant, Latina Girls Health Initiative
December 2008-December 2009. Harmony Garden; Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Organized Latina groups for pre-adolescent girls and their female caregivers in the Price Hill, Springdale, and Hamilton areas.
• Developed and implemented lesson plans to promote healthy behaviors and positive life choices.
• Distributed needs assessment surveys in stores and apartment complexes.
• Created reports of results and reported benefits.

Program Manager
May 2008-August 2008. Visit America 2008; Oxford, Ohio.

• Supervised the Korean scholar program at Miami University.
• Coordinated excursions.
• Organized welcome packets and closing ceremony.

Spanish Instructor
August 2003-June 2008. Miami University; Oxford, Ohio.

• Taught intermediate and advanced-intermediate Spanish courses at the undergraduate level.
• Developed curriculum and assessment tools for Spanish 311.
• Created syllabi and assisted with the development of departmental exams.

Advanced Placement Reader
June 2008, June 2007, and June 2006. College Board.

• Assessed essays from the AP Spanish Language exam.

Spanish/English Interpreter
June 2004-August 2006. Conversa Language Center; Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Provided Spanish-English medical interpreting services.

Spanish Teaching Assistant
August 2001-May 2003. University of Arizona; Tucson, Arizona.

• Taught beginning and intermediate Spanish classes at the undergraduate level.

Intern, Mexican Consulate
August 2002-December 2002. Tucson, Arizona.

•  Researched information and organized data concerning issues that affect the Mexican population in the United States.

Survey Research
July 2002-August 2002. Mexico City, Mexico.

• Distributed a survey about the relationship between politics and economics to the Mexican population.
• Presented the results at a conference at the University of Arizona.

Workshops and Training

• ACTFL 2011 Annual Convention, Empowering Language Educators Through Collaboration. Denver, Colorado. November 2011.
• Culture in the Foreign Language Classroom. University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash Campus, October 2011.
• Integrating Art in the World Language Classroom. Cincinnati Collaborative of Foreign Language Teachers, January 2011.
• Miami University Conference on the Teaching of Languages. October 2010.
• Latino Talent & Leadership Conference. Columbus, Ohio. October 2010.
• OKI Regional TESOL Conference. Mayerson Academy, May 2010.
• Project Management. The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Dec. 2009.
• Healthy Communities Healthy Youth. Search Institute, Nov. 2008 and 2009.
• Immigration Program Management. Catholic Immigration Network, Aug. 2009.
• Using Adobe Photoshop. The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Apr. 2009.
• Web 2.0. The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Feb. 2009.
• ESL CASAS Implementation Training. Ohio Department of Education, Oct. 2008.
• Think Outside the Slide. The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Sept. 2008.
• Sugar and Spice: Raising a Bilingual Child. Jewish Family Service, Sept. 2008.
• Working with the Pre-Literate Populations. Jewish Family Service, Sept. 2008.
• Youth Suicide Prevention. Kentucky Convention Center, Sept. 2008.
• Lead 101 Train-the Trainer in Spanish Courses. June and August 2008.
• Alliance for Battered & Abused Women. Interpreter Training, Aug. 2006.
• Cross Cultural Health Care Program. Medical Interpreter Training, June 2004.

Committee Service

• Advisory Committee, Latin American Studies. August 2011-present.
• Instructor Search Committee. Spring and Summer of 2011 and 2012.
• Department Newsletter Committee. January 2011-May 2012.
• American Culture and English Program Committee. September 2010-May 2011.
• Advisory Board, Healthy Women Healthy Lives, TriHealth Women’s Health Services, Good Samaritan Hospital, August 2008-June 2010.

Volunteer Activities

Teacher of ESL, Su Casa Hispanic Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, August 2010-present.

• Teach Level II ESL course to the immigrant community.

Teacher of ESL, Faith Community United Methodist Church
West Chester, Ohio, 2006-2007.

• Taught English classes to small groups and individuals.

Tutor, Berry Middle School
Lebanon, Ohio, 2003.

• Assisted Spanish speaking students with their homework during an after-school program.