SUMMARY OF SKILLS
From my experiences as an educator and exchange student, I have had the opportunity to work with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds. I have handled and researched a wide variety of wildlife. I am fluent Spanish and have striven to incorporate educational technologies to enhance curriculum and instruction in and out of the classroom. I am flexible, organized, hard-working and eager to learn new things.
EDUCATION
February 2011 Iowa Initial Teaching License, Buena Vista University
Endorsements: Teacher Secondary 7-12, Biological Science 5-12, General Science 5-12, Chemistry 5-12, Spanish 5-12
December 2006 Bachelor of Science, Iowa State University
Majors: Animal Ecology (Interpretation option) & Spanish
Majors: Animal Ecology (Interpretation option) & Spanish
Spring 2005 Exchange Program, Universidad de Costa Rica
All coursework completed in Spanish.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
March 2011 – present, Outdoor Educator, Ponca State Park (Nebraska Game & Parks)
June – December 2010 Develop and present educational programs; care for exhibit animals.
June – December 2010 Develop and present educational programs; care for exhibit animals.
October 2010 – February 2011 Student Teacher, Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School (Buena Vista University)
Created curriculum for Spanish classes; assessed student growth; assisted in chemistry, biology, & general science classes.
January – May 2010 Youth Worker, Siouxland Human Investment Partnership
Tutored & supervised K-5 students at an after-school program; managed the technology department.
April – October 2009 Naturalist/Habitat Management Intern, Woodbury County Conservation
Planned, promoted, and led day camp activities, field trips, and public programs; extended outreach to the Hispanic community through marketing, pamphlet translation, and bilingual exhibit signage.
November 2007 – October 2008 Wildlife Diversity Program Assistant, Iowa DNR/AmeriCorps
Surveyed & restored native wildlife species; generated volunteers; developed outreach materials in English & Spanish; planned and manned special events.
August – November 2007 Seasonal Naturalist, Y Camp (YMCA of Greater Des Moines)
Presented team-building and environmental education programs; cared for education wildlife.
May – August 2007 Interpreter, Maquoketa Caves State Park (Iowa DNR/AmeriCorps)
Created and presented over 90 educational programs with nearly 1,800 contacts; generated volunteers.
January – May 2007 Education Volunteer, Blank Park Zoo
Presented live animal programs to school children; interpreted animal artifacts.
October 2006 – May 2007 Relief Worker, Youth & Shelter Services, Inc.
Interacted with at-risk youth and enforced shelter rules; documented clients’ progress; maintained confidential records.
August 2005 – August 2006 Animal Care Technician & Summer Research Intern, Iowa State University
Captured and cared for over 2,000 snakes; preserved tissue samples; managed data in Excel documents; received a summer research grant from the Program for Women in Science & Engineering to study garter snake predators in Lassen National Forest, CA.
September – December 2006 Student Role Model, Iowa State University
Presented programs at area schools; encouraged interest in the STEM fields, targeting girls and minorities.
June – August 2004 Nature Instructor & Counselor, Camp Hitaga (Campfire USA)
Presented original nature programs; assisted with crafts, canoeing, archery, & horseback riding.
