Omar Syed Education University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX School of Education M.A. Curriculum & Instruction, December 2011. GPA 3.1 University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX B.A. Liberal Arts, December 2005. GPA 2.6 Certification CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) certification. Teaching House Chicago. April 2013. TExES (Texas Exam of Educational Standards) 160 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 score: 255. May 2012 Work Experience ESL Teacher, Houston Community College, August 2013- Present 10 hours per week Taught main skills and sub-skills to multi-level adult learners Exercised class management requirements, including time management and discipline issues Led class discussions with dynamic and friendly atmosphere Evaluated individual and whole class performances Devised effective approaches of presenting lessons Clarified lesson objectives, maximized syllabus outcome, and fulfilled lessons purposes Assigned relevant homework and projects to reinforce content mastery Encouraged individual and group work, peer and self-correction Raised level of language awareness and self-confidence Gave periodic tests and assessed learners’ individual progress, weaknesses and strengths Intern January 2013- March 2013, Galena Park High School, English III 8-10 hours per week Wrote period long Lesson Plans Wrote 15 minute Mini Lessons Read to students Assisted teacher with daily duties Monitored students in hallways during passing period Checked if students are wearing ID badges Prompted students to wear their ID badges Instructed small groups of students Assisted with classroom management Monitored students work during independent practice Graded students products Checked attendance Taught part of lesson Taught entire lessons Taught part of class period and completed 15 minute Mini Lesson Plans (IFAs) Participated in 1 - 2 hour long department faculty meetings Participated with teachers in in-service and study groups Self-Employed August 2012- current, English Language Tutor 8-12 hours per week Tutored English face to face to International students Instructed students in writing three essays per week, editing for grammar, clarity Aided students with understanding and speaking English Discussed specific grammatical problems with students Held four hour-long daily face to face sessions with students Conversed with students concerning pronunciation problems Exchanged ideas and opinions on academic topics Troubleshot, problem-solved grammar and pronunciation strategies with students Practiced American grammar styles, conversational English with students Coached written English, including grammar and its inherent structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in the English language Taught by example, explaining grammar differences between English and student's native language Self-Employed May 2012- current, Skype English Language Tutor 6 hours per week Tutored English via Skype to International students Aided students with understanding and speaking English Discussed specific grammatical problems with students Held one hour-long daily sessions via Skype with students Conversed with students concerning pronunciation problems Exchanged ideas and opinions on conversational topics Troubleshot, problem-solved grammar and pronunciation strategies with students Practiced American grammar styles, conversational English with students Coached written English, including grammar and its inherent structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in the English language Taught by example, explaining grammar differences between English and student's native language University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX August - December 2011 Student Success Center, English Language Tutor 24 hours per week Interned at the Student Success Center Assisted ten students weekly with understanding and speaking English Discussed specific academic problems with students Held one hour-long sessions with students Conversed with students concerning academic problems Exchanged ideas and opinions on conversational topics Troubleshot and problem-solved academic strategies with students Practiced American grammar styles, conversational English with students Practiced written English, including grammar and its inherent structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in the English language Taught by example, explaining grammar differences between English and student's native language Volunteer Experience Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Administration Hospital, Houston TX November 2012- current 16 hours per week Reviewed Oncology patients' data; received and transmitted large volumes of Oncology patients' appointment referrals by phone; Input patients’ data into computer system via scanning and Microsoft Excel and Access Novelist's Beta Reader November 2011-present 5-10 hours per week Proofread chapters Critiqued author's work Edited for clarity, exposition, and grammar University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX August 2000 – May 2010 Learning Initiative For Today (LIFT) ESL Volunteer Tutor 5 hours per week Taught English vocabulary and grammar to adult students Assigned homework, administered exams Prepared syllabi and lesson plans Organized activities with students to foster English acquisition Sarvoday Hospital, Mumbai, India June - August 2003 AIDS Clinic Volunteer 15 hours per week Studied methods of counseling AIDS patients Hello Angels Nursery/Preschool, Mumbai, India June - August 1999 Volunteer Teacher's Aid 20 hours per week Entertained children Taught social skills Taught numbers and counting Taught letters Taught songs, sang songs United Way, Houston, TX September 1994 – May 1995 Volunteer Swimming Instructor 9 hours per week Taught swimming to physically disabled children. Professional Skills Active writer: beginning novelist, fan fiction, captioned photo stories Academic papers selected for presentation at the 2007 National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates Conference and the 2010 University of Houston Clear-Lake Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts include, "Projecting Ethnic Identity Onto Inanimate Objects" Proficient in both oral and written communication skills. Able to communicate, both orally and in writing, with people from diverse backgrounds effectively, tactfully and courteously. Public speaking experience 2007 National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates Conference. 2010 University of Houston Clear-Lake Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts Fluent in English, Spanish, and Hindi Able to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to include conference/event scheduling and completion of logistical arrangements for special events. Able to apply basic analytical methods to various aspects of assigned programs or project areas. Able to gather, track, and compile data, including numerical data for reports. Possess knowledge of computerized information systems in order to access and analyze data to include word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. MS Word- 50 wpm, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, BASIC, C++