French-speaking Educator / customer service representatiwith DEI Focus
Resume:
Vaara L. Ostrin
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Southside Family Charter School
Minneapolis, MN
November 2024– April 2024
SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR
Taught 4 sections of Science and one special interest club in grades 5-8. Accountabilities and accomplishments
included:
● Develop, implement and support curriculum for grade 5 - 8 Science.
● Develop, implement and support special interest club opportunities for grades 5-8.
● Support positive social interactions, safety and responsibility during class times
● Establish a classroom culture that feels accessible and accepting of all
● Incorporated DEI values and strategies in a way that builds awareness and compassion for others
● Work with faculty and staff to provide continuity for the students in practices of restorative justice, equity and
non-violent communication
Edison High School
Minneapolis, MN
September 2023 – June 2024
FRENCH INSTRUCTOR
Taught 5 sections of French and one advisory in grades 9-12. Accountabilities and accomplishments included:
● Develop, implement and support curriculum for levels 1 and 2 of French Language instruction.
● Mentor students 9-12 during 190 minutes of advisory meetings per week.
● Support positive social interactions, safety and responsibility during class times
● Establish a classroom culture that feels accessible and accepting of all
● Incorporated DEI values and strategies in a way that builds awareness and compassion for others
● Work with faculty and staff to provide as much continuity for the students as possible in practices of
restorative justice, equity and non-violent communication
Great River School
St. Paul, MN
March 2023 – June 2023
BEHAVIOR DEAN
Provided support to faculty in Lower Adolescent grades 7-9. Accountabilities and accomplishments included:
● Engage with students seeking support during class time with the goal of returning to the classroom or
connecting with other support staff as needed.
● Respond to support requests from classrooms and engage with students with the goal of refocusing and staying
in the classroom
● Support positive social interactions, safety and responsibility during passing times
● Meet daily or more often with the Dean and Director to share and collaborate in support of individual students
● Worked as an advisor to a student led service project to procure, provide, and serve passing time snacks
● Work with faculty and staff to provide as much continuity for the students as possible in practices of
restorative justice, equity and non-violent communication
Vaara L. Ostrin
Great River School
St. Paul, MN
March 2022 – March 2023
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Substituted in various roles and ages. Accountabilities and accomplishments included:
● Establish engaging and supportive rapport with students
● Provide a calm, positive learning environment for all students
● Support healthy social interactions within the group
● Maintain rhythm and routine of the class period/day
● Execute provided lesson plan OR pivot to deliver content in an alternate fashion
● Work with faculty and staff to provide as much continuity for the students as possible
● Move frequently between subjects and ages within a school day
● Other tasks as assigned, including classroom care, admin tasks, playground or carpool duty, etc.
Teachers On Call
March 2022 – June 2025
ON CALL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Substituted in various roles for multiple schools and ages. Accountabilities and accomplishments included:
● Establish engaging and supportive rapport with students
● Provide a calm, positive learning environment for all students
● Support healthy social interactions within the group
● Maintain rhythm and routine of the class period/day
● Execute provided lesson plan OR pivot to deliver content in an alternate fashion
● Work with faculty and staff to provide as much continuity for the students as possible
● Move frequently between subjects and ages within a school day
● Other tasks as assigned, including classroom care, admin tasks, playground or carpool duty, etc.
MN Waldorf School
St. Paul, MN
July 2015 – July 2019
ADMISSIONS AND OUTREACH DIRECTOR
Created and facilitated all stages of the admissions process from initial inquiry to new family orientation. Planned
and executed outreach efforts. Responsible for marketing and promotions, outreach and education.
Accountabilities and accomplishments included:
● Respond to phone, website and email inquiries and all subsequent recruitment efforts
● Establish engaging and welcoming relationships with prospective families
● Facilitate admissions and enrollment process including tours, admissions visits, relationship tending,
enrollment and data management
● Work closely with colleagues in faculty, student services and business office to provide a smooth and
engaging admissions experience
● Configure applications and enrollment platforms
● Plan and personally staff outreach and information events
Vaara L. Ostrin
● Establish and maintain relationships with “feeder schools”
● Plan, create and coordinate all paid media
● Plan, create and manage all collateral, fliers, flip books, swag and student samples
● Digital Content Planning and writing for website, online promotions media and Facebook
MN Waldorf School
St. Paul, MN
January 2010 – June 2015
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER – FRENCH AND CLASSROOM
Substituted for teachers from all grades and all subjects. Taught Morning Lesson in all grades. Prepared Morning
Lessons for 6th and 7th grade during extended absences of teacher. Often responsible for filling class time on short
notice and/or with no provided lesson plan.
Camelot Weddings
Minneapolis, MN
2000-2004
SALES REP, MARKETING, ADMIN SUPPORT, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Responsible for all stages of booking and photographing weddings. Created copy and design for website,
advertising and print marketing materials. Coordinated mass mailings and maintained contact data base.
Conducted consultations (sales appointments), Maintained client relationships from pre-sales to post-event.
Created, managed and staffed info booths at promotional events.
Linden Hills Childcare Center
Minneapolis, MN
1998-2000
EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
Lead Teacher in 3-5 year old class. Planned all curriculum, structure of the day, circle time and games.
Responsible for hiring and managing two assistant teachers. Maintained parent-teacher communications.
University Language Center
Minneapolis, MN
1997-2001
FRENCH INSTRUCTOR
Taught adult foreign language learners in immersion setting using principals of accelerated learning, specifically
engaging students on a physical and emotional level with the material. Taught individual and group instruction,
often tailoring lessons and curriculum for each class including games, movement, role-playing, and storytelling.
Phillips and Downtown YWCA Childcare Center
Minneapolis, MN
1994-1998
Vaara L. Ostrin
ASSISTANT EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
Assisted in special needs classroom. Received training in behavior management responses unique to special needs
children, specifically children with prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Mesaba Coop Park
2014 – Present
BOARD MEMBER AND SECRETARY
Serving as one of an eight-member board overseeing all operations of a 100-year-old cooperative park and
campground in Hibbing MN. Acting as Secretary and Web liaison.
Minnesota Waldorf School
2009-2014
PARENT COUNCIL CO-CHAIR, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SECRETARY, WELCOME GUIDE
COORDINATOR, PARENT AMBASSADOR, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
● Served 1 year as Parent Council Co-Chair, endeavoring to focus on community engagement and
enrichment.
● Served 3 months as External Affairs Committee Secretary, committee responsible for raising over
$40,000 out of a total of $65,000.
● Served as Welcome Guide Coordinator, an initiative to provide all incoming families with a “mentor”
family during their first year.
● Served as Parent Ambassador, staffing info booths at school fairs.
● Served as Volunteer Coordinator, endeavoring to forge connections within the community and match
talents with opportunities.
Roseville Library/St. Anthony Village MN Library
2007-2010
INSTRUCTOR FOR FRANCAIS EN FAMILLE
● Designed curriculum and taught immersion French class for children 0-5 and their caregivers.
● Activities included song, movement, games, art and storytelling.
EDUCATION
Novalis Institute, Minneapolis – 2010- 2015
Foundation Studies for Waldorf Teacher Certification
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus – Class of 1999
Bachelor of Arts: French Linguistics with a Spanish minor
University Language Center – 1997-1998
Intern in Accelerated Learning Spanish Class
Contact this candidate