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ABOUT ME
I am a communications and educational professional with extensive experience in Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caucuses, and North America. I am an English language teacher and teacher trainer. Additionally, I am a seasoned ghostwriter with experience in legal, medical, and more. As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I enjoy exploring new cultures, learning languages, and furthering diplomatic initiatives.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
September 2022--present
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
ENGLISH LANGUAGE FELLOW
U.S. EMBASSY IN MALAYSIA
Taught courses in technical writing, technical reading, business correspondence, and general English at the Universiti Teknologi MARA
Conducted local teacher trainings for university lecturers on a variety of topics, focused on student-centered pedagogy, second language acquisition theory, and publication assistance
Conducted workshops for students on forum presentations
Assisted with American Embassy projects such as the English Access Microscholarship Program (ACCESS) and Sport Visitor Program
September 2021—June 2022
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
ENGLISH LANGUAGE COACH
ENGLISH SPEAKING NATION (ESN) PROGRAM
TESOL INTERNATIONAL, AMERICAN COUNCILS, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Presented the TESOL Core Certificate Program and The 6 Principles for Exemplary Teaching of English Learners to English teachers throughout Uzbekistan
Demonstrated and and taught English lessons in a variety of Uzbek school settings
Supported teacher training action plans
Supervised ESN participants' classroom practicum assignments
June 2021—August 2021, June 2020—September 2020, April 2019—August 2019, April 2018—October 2018
READING TEACHER
INSTITUTE OF READING DEVELOPMENT
Taught phonics/literature/speed reading classes for students ranging from preschool to adult
Books used include fiction and nonfiction of varying levels
Conducted level assessments, managed materials, liaised with parents
January 2020—April 2021
Ypsilanti, MI USA
INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Developed syllabus and curriculum for ESLN 412-512 (Cross-listed undergraduate/graduate, academic writing course for the Winter 2021 semester)
Developed syllabus and curriculum for ESLN 031 (Intensive English Program, pre-first year academic writing course for the Fall 2020 semester)
Designed synchronous and asynchronous lesson plans and materials for the online environment
Responsible for designing and administering assessments
November 2015—May 2016
Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
ENGLISH TEACHER
LANGUAGE TRAINING CENTER
Taught English classes for students ranging from preschool to adult
Books used include: the Family & Friends series, the Solutions series, and the Headway series
Provided test prep materials and coaching for the IELTS exam
January 2014—September 2015
Birmingham, MI USA
COOKING INSTRUCTOR, MARKETING DIRECTOR
SNAPTIVITIES
Developed and executed cooking curriculum for students grades K-12
Hired assistant teachers and conducted trainings
Responsible for building and maintaining website, designing flyers and posters, planning outreach, providing support for marketing team
September 2014—December 2014
Moscow, Russia
ENGLISH TEACHER
LANGUAGE LINK RUSSIA
Taught English classes for students ranging from preschool to adult
Books used include: Cookie & Friends, the Kid’s Box series, the Discover English series, the Your Space series, the More! English series, the English in Mind series, the English File series, and the Cutting Edge series
Provided test prep materials and coaching for YL Starters, Movers, and Flyers exams, as well as PET, KET, FCE, IELTS, and TOEFL
July 2014
Hempstead, NY USA
SENIOR ENGLISH TEACHER
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
Taught communicative language courses for Italian students age 13-18
Assisted teachers in designing communicative lessons
Assisted Director with level assessment, class grouping, and staff management
June 2008—August 2010
Kant, Kyrgyz Republic
SECONDARY ENGLISH EDUCATION TEACHER
U.S. PEACE CORPS
Taught English classes for students ranging from preschool to adult in local village schools
Conducted bilingual teacher trainings on communicative methodology
Managed grants for English Language Resource Centers in local village schools
OTHER EXPERIENCE
November 2020—September 2021
Midland, MI USA
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
MICHIGAN TEACHERS OF ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (MITESOL)
Responsible for general communication among MITESOL members
Coordinates the MITESOL Newsletter, website, and listserv
Oversees public relations and social media
Organizer of MITESOL’s yearly conference
Head administrator of organization’s G Suite
January 2020—April 2021
Ypsilanti, MI USA
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
WASHTENAW LITERACY
Coordinated COVID-19 materials development and dissemination project
Coordinated tutors working with incarcerated individuals at the Washtenaw County Jail
Coordinated Open Table drop-in English tutoring for ESL community members weekly at the Ypsilanti District Library
Produced marketing materials targeting new tutors
Produced educational materials designed to encourage learners to vote in the 2020 elections
September 2019—March 2020
Ypsilanti, MI USA
TEST DAY SUPERVISOR, INVIGILATOR, CLERICAL MARKER
IELTS USA
Supervised a high-stakes high-security international standardized test
Responsible for scheduling candidate speaking tests, submitting official test scores, submitting official test report forms, and customer service
Ensured that speaking and reading tests were scored and recorded accurately
October 2011—December 2013
Key Largo, FL USA
PARTNER
CONTENT EQUALS MONEY
Processed writing and editing assignments at 20,000+ words daily
Managed a group of 30+ writers and editors
Oversaw and managed cash flow and finances of a small business
2005—present
FREELANCER
LAURA HANCOCK, INK
Written a variety of web content, most SEO-optimized at discretion of client
Resume coaching, general business consulting, academic editor
ACADEMIC HISTORY
M.A., TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL)
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, YPSILANTI MI
Peace Corps Coverdell Fellow
GPA: 4.0
CERTIFICATE IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (CELTA)
TEACHING HOUSE, NEW YORK NY
Grade: Pass B
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN TECHNICAL WRITING
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE WA
GPA: 3.9
B.A., GOVERNMENT
SMITH COLLEGE, NORTHAMPTON MA
Minor in East Asian Languages and Literatures
GPA: 3.5 with High Honors for thesis work
SKILLS
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
HTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
English (native), Japanese, Russian, German
SOFT SKILLS
Natural leader, problem-solver, adventurous, good sense of humor (or so I am told!)
