Mathematics, Communication, IT

Summary

Problem solver and project leader with an eye for quality, aesthetic design, and functionality who works diligently to find a solution that meets prioritized criteria and minimizes the learning curve of end users

Experience

Instructional Designer, Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX -- 2010-2012

I consult with instructors about course goals and student outcomes, helping them spin out ideas to meet these in a manner that satisfies their desires while staying within the confines of available resources and also complying with governing policies and with the principles of quality design.

Accomplishments

Built trust relationships with over 30 faculty members raising the one-on-one faculty consultations from six per month to over 40

Received a Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Courses in partnership with dental hygiene faculty

Fully redesigned 25 courses, face-to-face and fully or hybrid online, according to the Quality Matters rubric

Presented at five international and national conferences on higher education teaching and learning

Teaching Fellow in Mathematics, University of North Texas

Denton, TX -- 2005-2010

Starting as an instructor of record for a small developmental algebra course, my positive teaching evaluations quickly propelled me to teach higher level courses and large lecture sections and to eventually redesign a college algebra program using what the National Center for Academic Transformation calls the emporium model.

Accomplishments

Taught 658 students in ten sections over five semesters, from developmental algebra through the calculus sequence

Developed 42 reusable outcomes-based lesson plans for the department with corresponding homework exercises and aligned assessments

Redesigned a college algebra program that served over 2,000 students, increasing the pass-rate in the first semester from 35% to over 50%

Authored 9 of 12 experiential projects that gave students opportunities to use math in the real world and invoking the use of higher order thinking

Designed an attendance tracking system for the math emporium, part of the redesigned college algebra program, including writing code for reporting

Grant Specialist, Texas State University

San Marcos, TX -- 2004-2005

I was a member of a math education team working on a $1.25 million grant to improve the scores of English Language Learners on the Texas Academic Skills Program test. I compiled research on available professional development models to support our goal, organized study data, and participated and contributed at regular meetings of the five member schools of the Texas State University System. I designed logos, standardized the format of submitted documents, analyzed twelve professional development models, created presentations, managed multi-media files, edited video interviews, kept the minutes of weekly meetings, and performed general IT work for our grant office.

Accomplishments

Published Mathematics for English Language Learners Classroom Practices Framework as a co-author with two others

Selected as the sole presenter of our work at two international education conferences

Instructional Assistant, Texas State University

San Marcos, TX -- 1999-2004

I taught a total of 460 students in 14 sections, including developmental algebra, college algebra, and precalculus. I developed, piloted, and validated items on multiple choice exams that measured attainment of the higher levels of the cognitive domain according to Bloom's Taxonomy.

Office Manager & Estimator, Simons Building Corporation

San Marcos, TX -- 1997-1999

I helped Don Simons start his general contracting business. I wrote his articles of incorporation and filed them with the State of Texas. I purchased computer equipment and software for his office. I set up QuickbooksTM and tracked receivables and expenses as well as created invoices and printed checks on company checks with logos that I had designed. I created spreadsheets for estimating construction costs and forms for field work and office work.

Foreman, RAGWEB Setnetting

Clam Gulch, AK -- Summers 1987-2010

I captained a fishing skiff and oversaw operations for a fish site of approximately 20 employees. The site harvested between 60,000 and 260,000 pounds of sockeye salmon each season. I coordinated the boat crew operations on fishing openings, shore crew duties, meal times, and maintenance duties on non-fishing days. I compiled and maintained catch statistics from 1972 thru 2012.

Education

University of North Texas -- Denton

Doctoral Studies in Mathematics -- 2005-2010

I worked with Dr. John Neuberger on solving partial differential equations by method of steepest descent in Sobelov spaces using algorithms written primarily in Mathematica and MATLAB coding environments. I completed over 70 hours of graduate level mathematics courses and passed the real analysis qualifying exam with high marks.

Texas State University -- San Marcos

M.S. in Mathematics -- 2004

I worked with supervisor Dr. Terry McCabe completing a master's thesis titled Stokes Theorem: Calculus of Differential Forms and over 60 hours of graduate level mathematics courses. I passed comprehensive exams with high marks in real analysis, topology, and algebra.

Université de Droit, d'Economie et des Sciences d'Aix-Marseille

Certificate for Completion of Level I -- 2002

I completed an academic-year intensive language program in Aix-en-Provence, attending classes for nearly five hours each day. I traveled around France on university holidays, furthering my cultural education.

Texas State University -- San Marcos

B.S. in Mathematics -- 2000

I completed this degree with 128 hours, majoring in math and minoring in physics.

Skills

Computer Equipment & Software

I took a strong interest in computers in elementary school where I was taught to program in BASIC and Pascal. My family purchased a Macintosh Plus in 1989. From that point forward, wherever I may be, I'm regarded as the resident IT person.

File management on Mac OS (all versions) and Windows (all versions)

Cloud-based file management on numerous platforms including Google

Spreadsheets using MS Excel or Apple's Numbers

Graphic design using Adobe Illustrator and other vector-based software

Page layout using Adobe InDesign, MS Word, or LaTeX

Photo finishing & manipulation using Adobe Photoshop, iPhoto, Aperture

Presentations using MS PowerPoint or Apple's Keynote

Technical computations using Mathematica or MATLAB

Financial Tracking using Budget, Quicken, Quickbooks

Structural HTML and manipulation of CSS and PHP code

Design & Aesthetics

My skill at reasoning in geometry benefits from a seeming inherent ability to recognize appealing form and structure.

Sole page layout designer for several book projects

Graphic design for projects in every position listed above in Experience

Designed logos, letterheads, brands, brochures, book covers, forms, and more

People Management & Communication

My ability to actively listen goes a long way in diplomacy and persuasive discussions. Helping people to clearly state the problem is almost always more than half of the solution.

Foreman of 20-man commercial fish crew

Instructor with grader, teaching assistant and supplemental instructors

Education grant coordinating several faculty and research assistants

Editor's assistant and layout designer on book project with 26 authors

Problem Solving, Creativity & Analytic Thinking

I always find a solution whether in a fast-paced environment with little time for decision-making or a contemplative environment with ample time.

Commercial fishing operational and logistical problems

Instructional design

Mathematics education

Diagnose and repair faulty equipment from copiers to backhoes

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