Alaa M. Kassir
727 Wedge Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
Home: 970-361-1016 Cell: 970-361-1886
akassir@coloradomesa.edu.
amkassir@gmail.com
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Background Highlights
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International education, qualifications and work experience including 22 years of
Mathematics teaching in the United States, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.
Fully fluent in English, French and Arabic with excellent writing and communication
skills.
Extensive experience in Course Redesign, team leading, cooperative learning,
project based learning and Online teaching.
Advanced user of Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
Outstanding ability to create personal rapport with students in different cultural
contexts.
Ongoing commitment to personal growth, professional development and lifelong
learning.
Qualifications
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M.S. Educational Psychology, May 1993, University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.S. Mathematics, December 1988, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Wisconsin Teaching License-Mathematics (7-12), July 1991
Texas Teacher Certificate-Mathematics (6– 12), July 1992
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), September 2002
Online Instructor Training Certificate, June 2004
Personality Dimensions Facilitator (Level I), December 2005
Personality Dimensions Facilitator-Trainer (Level II), June 2007
Professional Experience
August 2008 – Present: Developmental Mathematics Faculty
Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO, USA
 Currently teaching all levels of Developmental Mathematics ranging from Basic
Mathematics to Intermediate Algebra using various instructional methods.
 Played principal role in planning and implementing the Developmental Mathematics
Course Redesign Program using the Emporium Model.
 Responsible for creating all course work for Adjunct Faculty.
 Extensive experience in using MyMathLab.
 Developing Online courses using the DesireToLearn (D2L) Learning
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Management System and teaching those courses fully online.
Attended two National Association of Developmental Education (NADE)
conferences and presented at two Colorado Association of Developmental
Education (COADE) conferences.
August 2000 – June 2008: Mathematics Faculty
Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Women’s College, Dubai, UAE
 Taught a range of Math courses at different levels, including General Math and
Business Math.
 Led a team of four Math instructors. Responsibilities included designing Math tasks
for integrated projects, writing assessments, managing online learning, holding
departmental meetings and representing the Math team across disciplines.
 Extensively used technology as a means of instruction, including teaching the
Business Mathematics course fully using Microsoft Excel.
 Designed a support Blended Online course using WebCT CE for remedial students.
 Taught an Analytical Tools course designed for Business students to learn
advanced Microsoft Excel skills for various business applications.
 Took a major role in introducing the Personality Dimensions Instrument to the staff
and students of DWC and used the instrument to strengthen students’ selfawareness and support their learning.
 Used Windows SharePoint as a repository for sharing teaching materials and
creating a document library for use with teachers and students.
 Completed a number of professional development courses including:
 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Signature Program
 De Bono’s Six Hats Training
 De Bono’s Cognitive Research Trust (CORT) Thinking Skills Training
 Blackboard Vista Training
November 1996 – May 2000: Mathematics Teacher
Dubai International School, Dubai, UAE
 Taught Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus to students from Grades 9
to 12
September 1994 – July 1996: Mathematics Teacher
International School-Al Koura, Batroumine, Lebanon
 Taught various Math courses at the secondary level and prepared students in their
final high school year for the International Baccalaureate Certification.
August 1991 – May 1994: Mathematics Teacher
Truman Middle School, San Antonio, Texas, USA
 Used alternative teaching methods to deliver General Math classes to troubled
underprivileged students in grades 6 to 8.
 Assisted the School Counselor and the Special Education Professional in tailoring
special study programs for students with behavioral problems and special needs.
Professional Affiliations
National Association of Developmental Education (NADE)
Colorado Association of Developmental Education (COADE)
T.E.S.O.L Arabia
Counseling Arabia
References
Sherry Schreiner, Chair, Developmental Education, Western Colorado Community
College (a branch of Colorado Mesa University)
Tel: 970-255-2613 or 970-248-1248
Email: sschreiner@coloradomesa.edu
Lisa Moller, Learning Technology Specialist, Math & Science, Pearson Higher
Education
Tel: 720-244-0503
Email: lisa.moller@pearson.com