Zachary Gill
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Mission Statement
To lead, encourage, and mentor students to become agents of change.
Education
California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential in English
January, 2013—Brandman University
PhD in Theatre History and Criticism
2009—University of California, San Diego
Fields of study: US Drama, literary criticism, performance studies, theatre history, Chicano performance.
B.A. in Classical and Medieval Studies
1998—Bates College
Teaching Experience
Student Teacher: 2012
Westview High School: Poway Unified School District
Full responsibility for teaching a 9th grade sheltered ELL class and a 43-student 10th grade ELA course.
Designed and implemented differentiated unit and lesson plans utilizing diverse instructional strategies,
including technology, projects, cooperative learning, and SDIAE techniques. Created, assigned, interpreted,
and used assessments, from exams, to research projects, to essays. Maintained a productive and communal
environment through effective classroom management focused on procedures, student engagement,
cooperative learning, and student-teacher rapport. Attended and participated in professional development
focused on the Common Core, departmental curriculum planning, parent-teacher conferences, and IEP
meetings.
Mesa Verde Middle School: Poway Unified School District
Cooperatively taught two three-period, interdisciplinary 8th grade, 40-student Humanities classes. Designed
lesson plans and assessments, graded student work, worked with students in one-on-one settings, and met
with parents for an AVID and an Honors course. Designed a poetry unit and weekly ELA instruction focused
on fundamental grammar and spelling. Taught expository and creative writing. Used a variety of teaching
strategies, including PowerPoint, Prezi, video, music, document camera, partner and small group work, direct
instruction, and reading out loud.
Playwrights Project: 2010 – 2012
Teaching Artist: Write On!; Write on Seeds; TUPE—Tobacco Use Prevention Education. 2010-2012
Taught playwriting and acting to 4-8 grade standard, honors, and special education English students in the
San Diego, Lakeside, and Encinitas Public School Districts. Curriculum and lesson plans supported California
standards in English and Theatre. Incorporated tobacco use prevention for 9th grade students. Provided tools
to improve measurably in: oral classroom participation; written assignments; creativity in problem solving;
feelings of self-worth and pride; and openness and enthusiasm for exploration of ideas.
The Princeton Review: 2010 – 2012
Master Tutor, Instructor: SAT; ACT; AP; CAHSEE; and Subject Tests in Literature, US, and World History
Worked one-on-one or in pairs on long-term tutoring for advanced placement tests in literature and history.
Used adaptive and interactive techniques to maximize student involvement and commitment, while focusing
on both test-specific strategies and general knowledge. Taught classes students on test-taking strategies in
reading, writing, and math. Used lecture, discussion, and cooperative learning to work through student
questions and problem-areas, and adapt courses to individual student learning needs, including ELL students.
Used Eliminate software to teach online courses in SAT and ACT.
University of California, San Diego: 2004 – 2010
Instructor: Great Performances on Film: War on Film Across the Globe; Chicano Dramatic Literature; The US
Theatre of War; Introduction to Play Analysis. 2008-2010
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Primary creator and instructor for 4 upper and lower division courses, including two sessions of a 300student lower-level undergraduate course on film, film criticism, and the art of performance. Created original
courses including reading list and packet, syllabus, objectives, lesson plans, online Blackboard discussion and
quizzes, assessments, and grading scale. Taught classes, graded assessments (exams and papers, including
drafts), held office-hours, and addressed student personal and learning needs.
Teaching Assistant: How Theatre Peoples the World; Playing to Type: Performing Women in Theatre and Film;
Social Contexts of Performance; Theatre History Sequence. 2004-2007
Teaching Assistant for lower-level mandatory undergraduate history courses, covering a wide range of Western
and non-Western theatrical. Taught weekly discussion sections, designed, implemented, and graded assessments,
including exams and essays, guest lectured, and helped redesign the 3-class major survey course.
Cape Cod Academy of Performing Arts, May 2004 – September 2004
Teacher: Adventure to the Stage; Intermediate acting
Taught small introductory and intermediate acting classes for ages 6-9, and 10-12. Focused on the basics of
acting and introducing the Stanislavski system. Students learned the fundamentals of projection, delivery,
deportment, and plot development, as well as character development Rehearsed and performed final one-act
play.
Selected Theatrical and Professional Experience
California Young Playwrights Contest: 2010 – 2012
Submissions Reader
Evaluated original scripts by authors under 20 for consideration for full production at nonprofit organization
dedicated to advancing literacy, creativity, and communication by empowering individuals to voice their
stories through playwriting programs and theatre productions.
Manhattan Theatre Club: 2003
Submissions Reader. Intern: Literary Department, Foundations and Government Relations.
Assisted Literary Manager in evaluating original scripts for consideration and managing script library at
Broadway-eligible theater. Assisted Director of Foundation and Government Relations in grant and proposal
writing, capital campaign, prospect research, and database management.
Selected Dramaturgy and Directing (more available upon request)
2009 Director: Scenes from The Blue Room by David Hare. UCSD
2007 Dramaturgy Research Assistant for director Darko Tresnjak UCSD
2006 Dramaturg: The Love of the Nightingale by Timberlake Wertenbaker UCSD
2005 Dramaturg: Citizens of Rome by Barry Levey UCSD
2003 Dramaturg: Off-Broadway premiere of Rose’s Dilemma, by Neil Simon. Manhattan Theatre Club
2002 Director: Staged reading of original self-scripted play, Violence Defends the Man. Bates College
2001
2000
The Craft of Dramatic and Visual Writing: NYU intensive course in playwriting and screenwriting
Director: All in the Timing, by David Ives. Bates College
References
Jeanne Cavanagh
Westview High School
13500 Camino Del Sur
San Diego, CA 92129
858-780-2000 x3260
jcavanagh@powayusd.com
Elise Milling
Mesa Verde Middle School
8375 Entreken Way
San Diego, CA 92129
858-538-5478 x 3309
emilling@powayusd.com
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Cecelia Kouma
Executive Director, Playwrights Project
NTC Promenade at Liberty Station
2590 Truxtun Road, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92106
Phone: (619) 239-8222
ckouma@playwrightsproject.org
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