Dr. Alan D. Alda

Educational Specialist

**** **** ***., *** ***

San Diego, CA, 92105

Email: adyp2q@r.postjobfree.com

Cell: 831-***-****

Summary

Professor Alda is a highly-experienced American educator and educational specialist. He is a teacher and trainer, tester/evaluator, curriculum developer, OPI tester and a cultural trainer. He taught in the last twenty years in the fields of education, English language training, testing, program planning and testing evaluation, research, editing and proofreading, and curriculum development. He is a published author who provided many columns and articles, scholarly, media type, and reports. He has a very long experience in the field of linguistics, teaching, education and providing cultural and cross-cultural training. He worked extensively in the field of special education as a teacher and counselor.

EDUCATION

-ED. D., College of Education, in Curriculum & Instruction, University of Montana. 2012.

.M.A. in Education, Capella University, Minnesota, 2007

- B.A. in English Literature and Linguistics, 1983.

-Trained and certified as an OPI tester by ACTFL/DLI (Defense Language Institute, DLIFLC, DoD, US Army, TRACOC), 2012.

- Certificate of Proficiency in English, American University, Cairo, 1984.

- Certificate of Proficiency in Spanish language, Spanish Cultural Center, Cairo, 1983.

- Certificated as a bilingual teacher, Illinois Board of Education, 1999.

- Certified as an instructor by the Defense Language Institute, DLIFLC, DoD, US Army, TRACOC, CA, 2006.

- A published author in both English and Arabic.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

1. English (Native Speaker Level)

2. French – (Studied for 8 years) Understand, Speak, Read, and Write. 3. Spanish - (Studied for 2 years) Understand, Speak, Read, and Write. WORK / PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

- Education Specialist, at High Tech high Charter schools, Chula Vista, San Diego, CA, May 2020 to Present. Provided assessment services and, if needed, develop, implement, and supervise Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). In collaboration with classroom teachers and parents/guardians, Education Specialists support and monitor student progress towards IEP goals, and play a crucial role in communicating needs, services, and accommodations to staff and parents/guardians.

Duties include:

● Provided individuals instruction and support to students with special needs in a general education setting.

● Supported general education teachers by developing related goals and objectives, planning, and implementation strategies to meet the needs of students with IEPs

● Provided accommodations for students with individual needs to encourage learning and success.

● Identified and supports students’ social, emotional and behavior learning needs

● Implemented Project-based Learning techniques and strategies

● Facilitated and designs effective group work amongst students

● Created relevant and authentic learning experiences

● Implemented backward design to align all lessons, activities and assessments

● Designed formal and informal assessments that measure student progress

- Associate professor, Head Teacher and Curriculum Developer of English Literature, Linguistics and Medical Terminology, IELTS, Academic Writing, and ESL (English as a Second Language), King Saud University, Riyadh. 2013 to 2020.Training teachers and developing curriculum, managing and evaluating English language skills and implementing cutting-edge technology in classes in testing, and teaching Language skills. Identifying weaknesses in the program and suggesting solutions and plans with the higher management and using best practices for planning, designing, executing, and analyzing testing. Evaluating the overall testing process throughout the academic year and reporting to higher management and other stakeholders. Coordinating efforts and resources with other government agencies such as the Dept. of Education, the National Testing, Evaluation, and Standardization Agency.Worked extensively in the field of special education as a teacher and counselor. Helping in drafting educational policies and complying with national policies and guidelines stated by the government. Overseeing the development updated curriculum teachers using an interactive, communicative and a student-centered instruction approach that keeps the students engaged, challenged and enjoying the learning experience. Evaluating teachers and providing training for them through professional development workshops. Working as a student counselor and providing instruction to students with special needs. Rated as an excellent and an outstanding professor by students and evaluators at King Saud University.

- Assistant Professor, Language and Culture Teacher, University of Illinois at Urbana, School of Foreign Languages and Cultures, July 2010 to 2011, Responsible for the development curriculum and instruction of the Language and Culture to undergraduate and graduate students at the university. Identifying weaknesses in the program and suggesting solutions and plans with the higher management and using best practices for planning, designing, executing, and analyzing testing. Evaluating the overall testing process throughout the academic year and reporting to higher management and other stakeholders Taught elementary and advanced language classes including translation of 19th century Arabic text. Developed curricula and did extensive research on latest methods of instruction and assessment in the fields of linguistics, ESL.Working as a student counselor and providing instruction to students with special needs. Rated as an excellent teacher.

- Assistant Professor, Language Specialist at Senator Mike Mansfield Center, University of Montana, Defense Critical Language/Culture program, October 2008- June 2010. Responsible for the development of curriculum and instruction of Language, Translation, and Mid Eastern Studies. Identifying weaknesses in the program and suggesting solutions and plans with the higher management and using best practices for planning, designing, executing, and analyzing testing. Evaluating the overall testing process throughout the academic year and reporting to higher management and other stakeholders. Also responsible for development and instruction of (six week) intensive language refresher courses for personnel . Also developing curriculum for “survival” language courses and teaching in UM’s regular curriculum. Taught more than 200 Montana National Guard soldiers. Taught a group of ROTC officers at the UoM. Gave lectures/ to students at the Central Asian Studies Dept.Workied as a student counselor and providing instruction to students with special needs. .

- Senior Instructor, Department of Defense, US Army Training and Doctrine Command, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Presidio of Monterey, Jan. 2006 –Sept. 2008. Providing classroom instruction, adapting teaching material, administering and grading tests, developing, analyzing and reviewing tests such as DLPT5 and OPI tests, checking homework, evaluating student performance, student counseling and other related activities including teaching of translation. Trained military students from all US armed Forces branches to work as linguists with NSA (National Security Agency) and SOCOM (US Special Operations Command) by providing language instruction, testing, cultural training, for students of special forces such as the Delta Force, Navy Seals, and Army Rangers, to prepare them as linguists, media analysts, and cryptologists. Granted a SECRET clearance by SOCOM in 2012, that typically lasts for 10 years.

- Head Teacher, College Preparatory School of America, Lombard, Illinois, August 2005- Jan. 2006. Taught, adapting teaching material, administering and grading tests, checking homework, evaluating student performance and student .

- Bilingual Teacher, School district 54, Schaumburg, Illinois, January -June 2005. Worked as a bilingual teacher in dual language classes, ESL, and Special Resources Centers as a two-way bilingual immersion teacher.

- Teacher of English Literature, Linguistics & Creative Writing, Richard Milburne Academy, Chicago, Jan-Sept. 2002. Provided classroom instruction in addition to preparing for instruction, adapting teaching material, administering and grading tests, checking homework, evaluating student performance and student counseling.

- Teacher of ESL (English as a second language), Albany Park Community Center, Adult Education Department, Chicago-Illinois, August 1998- June 2000. Developed and provided educational programs and social services for adults and their families. Assisted lower level English as a Second Language and Basic Education students with language and reading development skills.Working as a student counselor and providing instruction and counseling to students with special needs.

- Freelance Writer & Translator, 1984 - 2004. Provided columns on business, economic, and other news and events to various publications in the USA Topics of columns cover international relations, Arab and Muslim community issues, business and entertainment.

- Globalization Project Manager, Media Operations & Productions, Juniper Networks, Sunnyvale, CA, Feb. 2001 - April 2001. Responsible for developing a business plan and strategy to address the business needs to localize, globalize and internationalize information, applications, marketing tools and literature for Juniper Networks, in coordination with IT, engineering, field marketing, corporate communications, strategic content and technical publications. Managed external public relations resources in various international locations. Worked closely with key company executives and managers on international PR programs that support business objectives. Writing specifications and setting the strategy for communicating with global audiences in several languages.

- Editorial Producer & Content Manager, Planetarabia.com, Santa Clara, CA Feb. 2000 - October 2000. Managing and leading a team of editors, technical and creative writers. Proofreading, editing, and reviewing final drafts of marketing tools, and coordinating promotional campaigns. Worked closely with web designers to develop applications for content, audio and video streaming, and content syndication. Developed strategies to found and launch major ethnic multi-lingual portals . Created and maintained content development tools. Recruited and guided freelance content providers. Oversaw in-house content production, in addition to coordinating content- related projects with technical, design, marketing, and other team leads.

- Editorial Producer & Content Provider, Estart.com, June- Sept 1999. Created and conceptualized an ethnic and a global portal and promoted it and drove outstanding traffic in a very short period of time. Covered special community eventsin addition to interviewing and profiling several artists, writers, community leaders, and other notables.

- Refugee Liaison, served with Americorp as a liaison with the Jane Addams Hull House, 2001. Creating a community outreach program to cater to the needs of the refugee population in Chicago.

-Translator, Department of Defense, Saudi Arabia, AlKharj 1989 – 1992. Responsible for translating, writing, and coordinating the distribution of documents and reports.

- Translator/ Instructor, Media Center, Riyadh University, Saudi Arabia, 1986 -1989. Responsible for training media studies’ students on reporting, editing news material, translation, dubbing, subtitling and the production of documentaries.

- Translator/Editor, TV and Radio Service, Cairo, Egypt, 1985. Preparing and producing cultural, and entertainment programs for a diversified audience overseas. Researched and wrote original materials in the broadcast language, translated and adapted a variety of news from English into the broadcast language. Materials included news, editorials, interviews, news analyses, and feature pieces covering a wide range of issues and subjects, tailoring materials to the interests and needs of the audience, and assuring that the broadcast was factual, objective and balanced.

- Instructor/Translator/Researcher, at Nasser’s Higher Military Academy, Egyptian Armed Forces, Army Infantry, Cairo, Egypt, October 1983-January 1985. After receiving infantry basic training, attached to the academy as a special assistant to the former director of the College of National Defense to research, instruct and translate materials necessary to activities at the college. Honorably Discharged. MEMBERSHIPS:

- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

- American Association of Teachers .

- American Translators Association.

- American Literary Translators Association

Special Training Received at the Defense Language Institute, DLIFLC, DoD, US Army, TRACOC:

- Attended a training session on the Final Learning Objectives, FLO’s at the DLI on January 19, 2006.

- Attended Instructor Training Course, ICC at the DLI from Feb. and March, 2006 to implement an instructional methodology based on a student centered classroom.

- Attended a training session presented at the DLI on How to be a scorer for the FLO test.

- Participated in a three day Cultural Immersion event between 5-7 April, 2006, facilitating and guiding students in role playing certain scenarios in Arabic.

- Participated in a two day Cultural Immersion event in May, 2006, at Fort Ord facilitating and guiding student’s role play certain scenarios in Arabic.

- Attended a seminar on POSH training on May 2, 2006.

- Attended a five-day training by the Academic Specialist at the DLI on May 16, 17, 18, 22 and 24, 10:00-11:30 in Freedom Hall on “Academic Counseling”.

- Attended a lecture titled Arabic Immersion Activities: Connecting the Classroom to the Real World, presented, during the Faculty Professional Development Day 2006, organized by DLIFLC Academic Advisory Council (AAC), on May 26, 2006.

- Attended a lecture titled The Process of Curriculum Development – Basic Course Development Procedures, presented by Karen Cruz, Jamie Sue Brooks, during the Faculty Professional Development Day 2006, on May 26, 2006.

- Attended a lecture titled Reflections from the Modern Language Journal, Gold Room, during the Faculty Professional Development Day 2006, organized by DLIFLC Academic Advisory Council (AAC), on May 26, 2006.

- Attended a workshop on Curriculum Orientation, at the DLI on June7; and June 13.

- Attended a workshop on Advanced Technology Training on video and audio editing and creating prototypes and web pages, presented by at the DLI on June 12-June 16.

- Attended a workshop on Sound & Script Training on June 12; 3:00-4:30 and June 14; 3:00-4:30, 2006, at the DLI.

- Attended a workshop on computer training for MS Win XP applications conducted on 8th and 9th of June at the MMLL between 1:45pm-4:45 pm at DLI.

- Attended a workshop on Teaching Grammar in Context presented on 6/19 at Freedom Hall, DLI.

- Attended a workshop on Text Typology on 6/19 at DLI.

- Participated in the Cultural Awareness and Negotiation training for High ranking military officers at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin from 7/10 to 7/14/2006 and was awarded the Order of the Wolf by the Fire Support Combat Training Team.

- Attended a workshop on iPods as an effective language learning tool, Pod casting, downloading/uploading files, lesson ideas, on July 26th and 28th, 2006, at Bldg. 634, Room 7.

- Submitted an action research paper titled “The Effects of Using a Holistic Approach to Teach Arabic as a Second Language at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA. Paper was submitted summer 2006.

- Attended a workshop on “Teaching Strategies for Higher Level (2+/3) Proficiency” on Friday 6 Oct 2006.

- Attended a workshop on “American Students and Their Study Strategies” at the Student Learning Center, three-day workshops from Mon - Wed at 3:4 Oct 2-4, Nov 6-8, Dec 4-6. This course provides an overview and discussion of American study habits and cultural attitudes toward work, homework, family, and fun.

- Attended a workshop on “SLC Study Strategies and Learning Styles” at the Student Learning Center, three-day workshops from 3:45 -- 4:45, Oct 9-11, Nov 13-15, Dec 11-13 to familiarizes faculty with study strategy and learning style material provided to students.

- Attended a workshop on “Intro to SLC Grammar”, 3:45 -- 4:45, Oct 16-18, Nov 20-22, and Dec 18-21.This course provides an over of the ILS Grammar Book. Faculty can review grammar terminology in English while learning what they can expect their students to know about grammar.

- Attended a workshop on “Creative ways of setting up student interaction at beginning levels”, on 10/12/06.

- Attended a workshop on teaching higher proficiency levels (2+, 3, and above) at DLI.

-Attended “TEACHING SMALL GROUPS EFFECTIVELY” WORKSHOP on 1/4-5, 2007 at the DLI.

- Attended a workshop on ILR and Text Typology on Level 2 & 2+ Reading and Listening.

- Attended a workshop on Arabic Grammar Teaching presented on Jan. 1, 2, 3, 07.

- Attended a workshop on Speaking Savvy: Promoting Activities that Lead to Speaking Proficiency Skills, on Wednesday, December 27, 2006.

- Attended a workshop on Integrative Progressive Course Structure and Professionalism: The Key to Success on Thursday, December 28.

- Attended a workshop on Communicative Games for Grammar Lessons.

- Attended a workshop on the SMART Board workshop on January 29 - February 2, 2007, at 0800 – 1130, at Ft. Ord, DoD Center.

- Attended a workshop on the TICP Certification Schedule.

- Attended a Workshop on "Implementation of New Arabic Basic Course Curriculum, on Fri 16 Feb.

- Received training for DLPT5 Overview, ILR Overview, TICP Overview, Error Correction.

- Received training for Ethics Training Session for April, 2007.

- Received training for Team Building from May 14, until Wednesday May 16 in Freedom Hall, DLI.

- Attended a workshop of how to teach Sound & Script with on May 22 and training ABC Course May 24, 07.

- Attended a twelve hours training course on English as a Second Language, on September 1998, at Literacy Works, Chicago.

- Attended a workshop on Teaching ESL in the Multi-Level Classroom, on December 1999, at the Adult Learning Resource Center, Des Plaines, Illinois.

- Attended a workshop on Introduction to Computers, on November 1999, at the Adult Learning Resource Center, Des Plaines, Illinois.

- Attended a workshop on Microsoft Word and instructional Activities for Students, on November 1999, at the Adult Learning Resource Center, Des Plaines, Illinois.

- Attended a course on Using Scanners, on December 2000, at the Fremont Union High School District, Silicon Valley, California.

- Attended a course on the Use of Photoshop & ln Design Software in Graphic Design, on December 2000, at the Fremont Union High School District, The Silicon Valley, California.

Awards Recieved at the Defense Language Institute, DLIFLC, DoD, US Army, TRACOC,:

- Awarded the Order of the Wolf by the Fire Support Combat Training Team at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin for “Exceptional performance of duty during rotation 06-08. His Superb expertise and motivation was instrumental to the success of the unit’s mission. Exemplary performance in the rigorous and challenging environment reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army”.

- Awarded the Commandant Coin of Excellence, on 13 July 2007, “for Exceptional achievement while supporting the Defense Language Institute Language Day. Your dedication and enthusiasm reflect great credit upon yourself, the DLI and the DoD”.

What former Defense Language Institute, (DLIFLC, DoD, US Army, TRACOC) students said about myself in surveys?

- "He is an excellent teacher in all fields, especially speaking".

- "He helped me improve my speaking skills".

- "Gave me lots of advice to improve transcription".

- "His explanation of certain features within the language is very useful, mostly because he's able to connect the dots that are left alone by more of the other teachers".

- "He taught me more common/higher frequency vocabulary".

- "He's very good at understanding what the student is trying to say and helps them understand how to get that point across in Arabic, especially when it comes to idioms".

- " Very knowledgeable on cultural and political issues and also has a strong grasp of English, which allows him to explain Arabic well."

- "He has a very firm grasp of the English and Arabic languages and is a lot of fun to work with in class. He is always very knowledgeable and good at explaining concepts that may be difficult to convey for other teachers."

- "He is good at teaching grammar and he communicates in a way that is understandable".

- He is very well versed in Egyptian history and issues. He is extremely knowledgeable and a lot of fun to talk to when it comes to learning about cultural issues within his country and around the region. As well, his expertise in governmental events within Egypt and around the region should not be overlooked.”

- He always seemed so well versed and fluent in English explaining concepts was quick and painless with him. He was also willing to say that something just do not make sense in English be to trust that they do in Arabic. That was very helpful and true advice that many teachers would not give.”

- This teacher always brought a very relaxed comfortable feeling to the class. He was willing to adapt the schedule to our needs.”

- “Had multiple perspective for learning the material’.

- “He was relaxed and made learning stress free.”

- “He was a teacher who quietly let us work, but would interject if he thought that we were confused or facing problem. His teaching style was directly compatible with how I learn in the class. I thought he was a fantastic asset.”

- “Kept a positive learning environment.”

Publications:

* Silent Victims: Arab and Muslim Americans Post 9/11, published by Beacon Press, Illinois, 2010.

*

* For Stars and Stripes: American-Arabs in the U.S. Military, published by Beacon Press, Illinois, 2010.

*

*

Contact this candidate