Teacher, Trainer, and Writer- Skilled in composing informal learning experiences
Greater Seattle Area
- Current
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- Lead Instructor at Sylvan Learning Center
- Past
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- Municipal Liaison (Volunteer) at National Novel Writing Month
- Site Coordinator/Instructor at Science Enrichment Services
- Substitute Teacher at Kelly Educational Services
- Cabin Counselor at Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis
- Assistant Editor at Harcourt Assessment, Inc
- Reader/Proofreader at Randstad
- Student Assistant at Museum of Texas Tech & Moody Planetarium
- Substitute Teacher at Richard Milbourne Academy
- Administrative Assistant II, Department of Applied Mathematics at University of Colorado-Boulder
- Docent/Volunteer Consultant at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
- Student Teacher at Windsor Park Athena Program
- Student at Field Experience, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
- Substitute Teacher at Parkdale Baptist School
- Substitute Teacher at St. James Episcopal School
- Student Entrance Associate at Texas State Aquarium
- Volunteer Interpreter at Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Shelver at Boulder Public Library
- Student Volunteer at Fiske Planetarium
- Education
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- Texas Tech University
- Texas A&M- Corpus Christi
- University of Colorado-Boulder
- Texas Military Institute
- Connections
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12
connections
- Industry
- Primary/Secondary Education
- Websites
Rebecca Thomas’s Summary
Career summary:
Experienced teacher seeking to change fields. Brings to the table strong skills in: teaching diverse skills to diverse groups, developing educational units, developing teaching guides, strong communication skills, strong people skills, strong organizational skills, leadership-capable over groups of varying demographics and sizes, training.
Professional skills summary:
12 years teaching in informal settings
10 years curriculum research/development
9 years creating resource/process documents
8 years management and training (1-15 employees/volunteers)
Ccertifications:
Texas Provisional Elementary Self-Contained (1-8)
Texas Provisional Elementary Mathematics (1-8)
Professional Profile:
Dedicated informal educator with 12 years of experience developing, implementing, and presenting curricula and special programs on a variety of topics to diverse populations. Skilled at improvising and facilitating activities on short notice.
Successful writer with 10 years of experience creating educational materials. Extensive experience creating and editing resource guides and process documents. Passion for creating curriculum materials.
Respected leader with 8 years of experience managing people and resources. Delegational leadership style. Specializes in training employees and volunteers within a very short deadline.
Career goals:
My fascination with informal learning, interactive media, and educational gaming are pushing me to try to get my foot in the door in one of those industries. My past experience as a curriculum developer in the museum world leaves me poised and ready to tackle any K-12 project that might cross my desk.
Current projects:
A video tutorial on combining like terms (my first attempt at creating media, aided only by a book and some online resources)
A process handbook for my current workplace (which covers nearly every non-director, non-admin job in the center)
Rebecca Thomas’s Specialties:
Technical knowledge:
Internet, Research, HTML, XHTML, CSS, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice; Photoshop (basic familiarity), GIMP, Google Apps, Tech support, Adobe Acrobat Electronic Markup (basic familiarity), Editing, Proofreading, Technical writing, Teaching, Training
Other useful knowledge:
Event planning, Volunteer management, Coaching
Personal traits:
Quick learner, Problem solver, Self-starter, Team player, Flexible, Adaptable, Analytical Thinker, Great at seeing patterns
Rebecca Thomas’s Experience
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Lead Instructor
Sylvan Learning Center
(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
March 2005 — Present (3 years 6 months)
# Taught nearly every subject available (math, writing, study skills, reading, test prep) to students ranging from kindergarten through high school
# Maintained students' binders by assigning lessons from students' individualized program
# Tested incoming students for accurate placement in their chosen program
# Developed and implemented the training notes used in my own center for math and writing program training
# In process of developing a handbook that covers most of the roles in the center
# Assist teachers who need an extra set of hands
# Promoted to Lead Instructor seven months after starting
# Started being left in charge of center fourteen months after starting
# Teacher of the Month- November 2005, June 2006
# Teacher of the Year- 2006 -
Municipal Liaison (Volunteer)
National Novel Writing Month
(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Writing and Editing industry)
October 2003 — November 2005 (2 years 2 months)
(This position only works in October and November of each year.)
# Organized pre- and post- activities for San Antonio participants (2003)
# Organized weekly Write-Ins for local participants in San Antonio and Seattle
# Moderated online forum for local participants
# Increased participation from 25 to 60 participants in San Antonio (2003)
# Increased winners from 2 to 11 participants through encouragement and support in San Antonio (2003) -
Site Coordinator/Instructor
Science Enrichment Services
(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
April 2005 — August 2005 (5 months)
Instructor
# Presented hands-on science programs to elementary school children in after-school club and summer day camp settings.
Site Coordinator (June 2005-July 2005)
# Maintain safety at the day camp site.
# Maintained open lines of communication with my regional manager and with parents.
# Receive and distribute supplies to instructor.
# Assign classes to instructor each week.
# Collect and approve weekly payroll from instructor before sending it on to regional manager. -
Substitute Teacher
Kelly Educational Services
(Public Company; 11-50 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
April 2005 — June 2005 (3 months)
# Conducted class in place of regular teacher, mostly in team-teaching settings
# Subjects covered: preschool, kindergarten, life science -
Cabin Counselor
Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
July 2004 — August 2004 (2 months)
# Arrived mid-summer at one camp, last week at another camp.
# Responsible for cabin of 6-9 girls between ages 7-13.
# Worked with another counselor to manage a group of 13-16 girls.
# Facilitated games, songs, and activities with groups of 6-120 girls.
# Taught small impromptu classes in crafts and astronomy. -
Assistant Editor
Harcourt Assessment, Inc
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Education Management industry)
October 2003 — June 2004 (9 months)
# Proofread test forms for technical and procedural errors
# Created a spreadsheet to track test forms through editorial rounds.
# Was team reference for software questions
# Beta tester for upgrade of Smartforce interface -
Reader/Proofreader
Randstad
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; Staffing and Recruiting industry)
April 2002 — September 2003 (1 year 6 months)
# Scored open-ended responses on computers according to a given rubric
# Proofread test forms for technical and procedural errors -
Student Assistant
Museum of Texas Tech & Moody Planetarium
(Educational Institution; 11-50 employees; Museums and Institutions industry)
August 2000 — December 2001 (1 year 5 months)
# Developed and presented classes and weekend workshops in conjunction with current planetarium shows and museum exhibitions.
# Developed teaching guides for various exhibits and programs in the museum.
# Developed or assisted with various special events hosted by the Education Department.
# Developed a Halloween special event that drew nearly 1,000 visitors in a year when museum attendance was low.
# Researched and wrote a five-minute introduction to a summer planetarium show that was attended by hundreds of school children and local residents.
# Presented planetarium shows to the general public and school groups.
# Technical Assistant for Astronomy labs each semester. -
Substitute Teacher
Richard Milbourne Academy
(Educational Institution; 1-10 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
January 2001 — May 2001 (5 months)
# Facilitated classes at a charter high school in place of normal teacher.
# Subjects facilitated: Science, English -
Administrative Assistant II, Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Colorado-Boulder
(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Higher Education industry)
February 2000 — July 2000 (6 months)
# Basic office duties- Email, Word processing, Phone, Fax, Copier
# Assisted with Annual Report
# Assisted various professors in their editorial tasks for refereed publications -
Docent/Volunteer Consultant
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Museums and Institutions industry)
January 1998 — December 1998 (1 year)
# Taught classes on various topics to first graders in the museum through object-oriented lessons.
# Created booklets that became the basis for a Museum program allowing Junior Girl Scouts to earn certain science badges at the Museum. -
Student Teacher
Windsor Park Athena Program
(Educational Institution; 51-200 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
August 1998 — December 1998 (5 months)
# Spent one semester teaching a third grade gifted and talented class, the highest section of third grade math, and the third grade theater class
# Developed and taught a class on music and movement as part of the school’s enrichment program.
# Developed and taught a theater unit allowing students to explore various roles involved in a performance.
# Gradually assumed total responsibility for the class. -
Student
Field Experience, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
(Educational Institution; 51-200 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
August 1996 — May 1998 (1 year 10 months)
# Spent one morning a week in a local elementary school working with students in whole-class groups, small groups, and individually.
# Grades/Subjects covered: Kindergarten Science Lab, First Grade Reading, Second Grade First Day Experience, Day Care normal-day activities -
Substitute Teacher
Parkdale Baptist School
(Educational Institution; 11-50 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
September 1997 — May 1998 (9 months)
# Conducted classes in place of normal teacher.
# Grades/Subjects covered: Preschool, Second Grade, Middle School Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, English I, Physical Education -
Substitute Teacher
St. James Episcopal School
(Educational Institution; 11-50 employees; Primary/Secondary Education industry)
January 1998 — May 1998 (5 months)
# Conducted classes in place of normal teacher.
# Grades/Subjects covered: Preschool, Middle School-level American History -
Student Entrance Associate
Texas State Aquarium
(Educational Institution; 11-50 employees; Museums and Institutions industry)
September 1996 — December 1996 (4 months)
# Created this position
# Welcomed School groups to the Aquarium.
# Familiarized school groups with the Aquarium’s rules.
# Facilitated school groups’ movement through the Aquarium. -
Volunteer Interpreter
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Museums and Institutions industry)
June 1995 — March 1996 (10 months)
# Performed demonstrations based on exhibit topics.
# Assisted visitors in interacting with exhibits.
# Facilitated school group movement around museum. -
Shelver
Boulder Public Library
(Government Agency; 51-200 employees; Libraries industry)
June 1995 — January 1996 (8 months)
# Placed books back on their shelves in children’s library section
# Solely responsible for maintaining Children’s Media section
# Worked with other children’s area Shelver to maintain New Books section
# Assisted visitors in locating materials
# Checked materials back into library system
# Part of small team that determined the actual status of missing books
# Engaged missing children in activities so their parents could locate them -
Student Volunteer
Fiske Planetarium
(Educational Institution; 11-50 employees; Museums and Institutions industry)
September 1993 — December 1995 (2 years 4 months)
# Presented planetarium shows to both school groups and the general public.
# Gave brief star talks on request.
# Assisted in various stages of show production.
# Repaired a special effect so it would correctly display
# Created 85% of the slides for a storytelling program.
# Assisted in creating slides to help outline Native American/ Indian constellations.
# Assisted with routine maintenance tasks.
# Assisted with labs offered by the planetarium.
Rebecca Thomas’s Education
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Texas Tech University
Museum Science, Secondary Education August 2000 — May 2003
worked in the education department of the museum every semester I was on campus
volunteered off-campus at a game shop
various officer positions- Amtgard- Activities and Societies:
- American Association of Museums, MSP, Legion West, Ballet Lubbock, Amtgard
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Texas A&M- Corpus Christi
BSIS, Elementary Education, Mathematics, August 1996 — December 1998
trained in the pre-pilot stage of TAMU-CC's field experience program
junior company member, stage tech- Corpus Christi Concert Ballet
volunteer- Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
internship- Museum School Summer Program, Witte Museum- Activities and Societies:
- Student National Education Association, American Association of Museums, Corpus Christi Concert Ballet
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University of Colorado-Boulder
Open Option August 1993 — May 1995
volunteered or worked at: Fiske Planetarium, Moody Auditorium, University Theater
- Activities and Societies:
- Golden Buffalo Marching Band
-
Texas Military Institute
Honors/AP September 1986 — May 1993
- Activities and Societies:
- JROTC, NJHS, NHS, Band, Choir, Drama, Yearbook, Swim Team Manager, Volleyball Manager, Prefect, Student Council, Computer Club, Debate, Computer Chips, Library Assistant
Additional Information
Rebecca Thomas’s Websites:
Rebecca Thomas’s Interests:
informal education, learning real world skills through gaming, e-Learning, design, creativity, motivation, management, changing careers, resume writing, blogging, training, creating documentation and resources
Rebecca Thomas’s Honors:
Sylvan Learning Center- Teacher of the Year 2006
Sylvan Learning Center- Teacher of the Month- November 2005, June 2006
Rebecca Thomas’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
