Multilingual Educator, Interpreter, and Linguistic Researcher

Mahtab Rafiei

****.******@*****.*** • 650-***-**** • LinkedIn • Hayward, CA 94544

Dedicated and passionate educator, interpreter, and researcher with extensive experience in developing and implementing diverse curricula across multiple subjects. Skilled in linguistic analysis, translation, and cross-cultural communication, with hands-on experience interpreting for medical, social service, and educational settings. Highly adept at motivating students and teams through positive reinforcement and interactive engagement. Proven ability to help learners develop strong literacy, numeracy, social, and critical thinking skills. Recognized for managing multiple priorities, fostering collaboration, and delivering accurate, nuanced communication across languages and contexts.

Leadership: Project Management Team Leadership Problem Solving Group Instruction Effective Communication Classroom Management Time Management Multicultural Awareness

Teaching: Curriculum Implementation Course Development Alternative Learning Methods Innovative Lesson Planning Online Teaching Student Support Research: Critical Thinking Research Planning Literature Survey Computational: Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) LINGUESTIC,SRI International Menlo Park, CA 2025-present

• Collaborate with AI and research teams to improve Farsi (Persian) machine translation quality, with a focus on linguistic accuracy and cultural appropriateness.

• Evaluate and refine bilingual (Farsi–English) translations, identifying grammatical, semantic, and stylistic issues.

• Provide expert linguistic feedback to support training and fine-tuning language models for Persian translation tasks.

• Review and assess AI-generated outputs to ensure natural, native-level Farsi usage.

• Contribute to improving translation performance for heritage and native Farsi speakers across diverse contexts.

Interpreter, Hanna,2025-present

Provide professional interpretation and translation services in Farsi and English for a variety of settings, including medical appointments, social services, and schools. Facilitate clear and accurate communication between clients and service providers while maintaining confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism. Ensure that all parties fully understand one another to support effective care, access to resources, and educational success.

Paraeducator Bilingual-Farsi

Chavez Middle School Hayward, CA

2024 - Present

• Provide academic and language support to Farsi-speaking students, particularly those from Afghanistan, through the World House Program.

• Assist students in transitioning to an English-speaking educational environment by developing language skills and fostering cultural understanding.

• Help improve the academic performance of students who have been in the U.S. for less than a year through personalized support and lesson reinforcement.

• Work closely with families to strengthen their communication with the school and help them navigate the education system more effectively.

• Collaborate with teachers and administrators to create inclusive lesson plans that support bilingual learning needs.

• Engage with students' families to facilitate communication and support students' educational progress.

Teacher

CDA Lorin Eden Elementary School Hayward, CA

2024 - Present

Mountain View Los Altos Montessori Children Center Mountain View, CA 2022 - 2024

Piedmont Hill Montessori Academy San Jose, CA

Aug 2021 – June 2022

• Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.

• Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.

• Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.

• Enhanced student reading skills by implementing engaging literacy activities and utilizing age-appropriate books.

• Ensured a safe and nurturing environment for all students, adhering to health and safety guidelines in the classroom.

• Developed strong relationships with parents and caregivers, providing regular updates on their child's progress and addressing any concerns proactively. After-School Program Developer

Product Designer: Herbert Hoover School, Palo Alto, CA Jan 2023 – May 2023

Product Designer/Architecture: Ohlone School, Menlo Park, CA Sep 2022 – Dec 2022

Book Illustrator: Nueva School, Hillsborough, CA

Sep 2021 – Dec 2021

Anthropology through Art, Hoover Elementary School, Palo Alto, CA March 2021 – June 2021

Creative Product Design, Duveneck Elementary School, Palo Alto, CA Feb 2022 – June 2022

Bookmaking: Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, Palo Alto, CA Jan 2023 - May 2023

Chemistry Lab Instructor: Mad Science, Fremont, CA April 2021 – July 2021

• Developed interactive teaching methods, group projects, and hands-on activities for elementary school students.

• Enhanced classroom engagement and improved students' presentation skills.

• Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.

• Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the curriculum.

• Collaborated with other teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students. Farsi Language Instructor

• Online classes

2016- present

• children of Bisheh, Palo Alto, CA

May 2018 – June 2023

Dana Farsi School Redwood City, Menlo Park

Jan 2020 – Jan 2022

• Teaching Farsi to Persian and non-Persian students through various platforms, including Skype, Zoom, and Google Classroom, as well as in-person sessions.

• Designed and implemented comprehensive lesson plans for both small and large groups.

• Utilized diverse teaching materials such as videos, audios, music, and games to enhance learning and engagement.

• Adapted instructional techniques to meet the needs of different age groups and proficiency levels.

Teller

Wells Fargo Bank Menlo Park, CA

Jan 2019 – Mar 2020

• Enhanced branch security through vigilant monitoring of suspicious activities and timely reporting to supervisors.

• Improved customer satisfaction by providing efficient and accurate transaction processing.

• Developed strong relationships with customers through exceptional service, fostering loyalty and trust.

Crew Member

Trader Joe's Menlo Park, CA

Aug 2018 – Jan 2019

• Maintained high-quality food preparation standards, adhering to company guidelines for safety and cleanliness.

• Collaborated with fellow crew members for seamless shift transitions, ensuring smooth operations throughout the day.

Data Analyst

Behnam Daheshpour Cancer Charity Tehran, Iran

July 2017 – Dec 2017

• Analyzed patient documents, specifically focusing on cancer cases.

• Provided essential information for financial support, therapy options, mental health services, and family support programs.

• Collaborated with medical and administrative staff to ensure comprehensive care and support for patients and their families.

• Utilized data analysis to improve patient support services and streamline hospital operations.

Editor and Researcher, Academy of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran, Iran Research Associate, Stanford University – Department of African Middle Eastern Languages and Literature

Research Associate, Shahid Beheshti University, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran, Iran

MA in Farsi Language and Literature

Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

BA in Farsi Language and Literature

Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Early Childhood Education (25 units)

Canada College, Redwood City, CA

• Encyclopedia Writing, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

• Textual Criticism, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

• Reference Studies, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

• Manichaean Language and Script, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

published

Memoirs of a Man with a Heart of a Window, Short Story Collection, Shiraz, Iran, 2023

• When I Was a Tree, Poetry Collection, Tehran, Iran, 2019

• Imaginary Flights, Poetry Collection, Tehran, Iran, 2012

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