Laura L. Davis (Ramírez)
CREATIVE & PASSIONATE BLOGGER
- WRITER - EDUCATOR
- MULTI-LINGUAL
I am an innovative and energetic
University Instructor. I am an avid writer and combine my multi-cultural
perspective, academic experience, passion for the arts, culture and travel for
my coastal lifestyle blog "sealaura". My teaching background has
provided me with persuasive communication and interpersonal skills, the ability
to contribute as a productive team leader or member. I am also a self-starter
who exhibits a tireless work ethic and deep personal commitment to the
achievement of goals. Fluent in English, Spanish and highly proficient in
French.
~ Research & Intelligence
Gathering ~
Multimedia Presentations
~ Public Speaking
~ Persuasive
Communication
~ Leadership &
Development
~ Community Relations
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Launched sealaura blog to explore travel and lifestyle
writing suitable for a coastal lifestyle.
* Researching and contributing to an arts and entertainment calendar for local NPR station.
* "Ms. Ramirez is often asked to guide independent studies and research...She has been integral to our multi-cultural center and Latin American Studies Program...She has created a very innovative website for students to access." ~ Dr. Barbara Morris, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Redlands.
* "Laura's work was highly regarded...She can work independently and is a self-starter. She is innovative...I feel she will be successful in any endeavor she chooses to undertake, whether it be in or outside the field of teaching." ~ Dr. Janet Fisher-McPeak, University of Notre Dame.
*
Recipient of Provost's
Team Excellent Award in Spanish ( November 2011)
"In recognition of teaching excellence as demonstrated through the academic achievement of your students during the rigorous course of study at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center."
"In recognition of teaching excellence as demonstrated through the academic achievement of your students during the rigorous course of study at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center."
* Awarded the University of Notre Dame Graduate Fellowship that granted full tuition waiver and a Graduate Instructorship for two years (1999-2001).
* Received Kaneb Award for Outstanding Teaching (2001).
Experience
SEALAURA, COASTAL LIFESTYLE BLOGGER June
2008- present
· Establish
relationships with other bloggers and coastal lifestyle vendors
· Author
and publish key content and messaging to drive awareness for key coastal
lifestyle products, trends, travel and fashion
· Creative
force behind developing and executing blog focus and all content
· Promote
website & website content via social media networking sites
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL, SPANISH TEACHER August 2013- June 2014
· Spanish Teacher for the second and third year of Spanish. Teaching load per semester consists of five sections including two sections of Advanced Spanish 2.
· Developed the content of my individual courses to meet the needs of the students who are often at different level despite being in the same course. Led the Spanish club.
· Some of the highlights if our activities is preparing an altar for the Day of Dead and also celebrating Christmas Traditions in Latin America which can be seen here and here and on my Linkedin profile
· Apart from language instruction, assisted students through advising on course selection, and after school tutorials.
SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE, INSTRUCTOR
October 2012- December 2012
· Prepare
Spanish Language curriculum geared towards managers and supervisors at a local
manufacturing plant.
· Ensure
the client’s needs are met by preparing specific lessons geared towards a
better understanding of the
employer-employee culture.
· Teach
classes based on the needs of local manufacturing plants. Classes are created based on the demand of
the local plants.
· Maintain
communication with students via email to make sure they are up to date with
material and also to provide additional information and class material.
DEFENSE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE DEPARTMENT OF THE US ARMY, ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR Monterey, CA May 20011-January 2012
· Assistant Professor in Spanish
at The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). The role of professors at DLIFLC is to work as the
Department of Defense’s premier language educators so that our armed forces can
be culturally and linguistically prepared to handle their military missions.
· Taught 6 hours a day in target
language to classes of mixed military branches using an intensive 6-month
course curriculum.
· Conducted OPI preparation
interviews to aid in rapid language acquisition.
· Provided
individualized advising to support the success of the students so they could
accomplish the mission at hand.
· Coordinated
mandatory study hall sessions for students, which included one on one tutoring. Sessions were divided into
conversation and listening comprehension practices to prepare students for DLPT
examinations. DLPT examinations are
created at DLIFLC and administered by the Department of Defense to assess the
general language proficiency of English speakers in a specific foreign
language.
· Prepared
and participated in Language Immersion Sessions where only the target language
was used and involved a variety of activities to simulate real world needs.
VOLUNTEER FOR ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT KVCR TV/FM, San Bernardino,
CA Fall 2010-March 2011
- Seek and establish contacts with local organizations, businesses, and universities in order to promote their events on air.
- Organize and update Arts and Entertainment calendar highlighting cultural events throughout the Inland Empire.
UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS, LECTURER Redlands, CA Fall 2004-March 2011
·
Instructor for first, second and third year
Spanish language.
·
Designed and developed course structure and
content for class in Advanced Grammar and Composition using literature.
·
Initiated and coordinated a Latin American Film
Series with Latin American Studies department titled “ Diferentes Caminos de la
Juventud.” This title refers to the theme of youth in Latin America. Also
organized a film series titled “ Argentina: Distintas Oportunidades ”
(Different opportunities in Argentina).
·
Incorporated a course website to post assignments,
and other tools for students.
·
Developed and taught independent study courses in
Medical Spanish, and Conversational Spanish.
·
Launched a weekly Spanish chat hour for students
and to have informal conversations
·
Evaluated incoming students to ensure proper level
assessment for Spanish courses.
·
Advised students with course work, course
selection, study abroad and career choices after college.
·
Experience gained using different types of media
to enhance course content such as film, music and art.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, VISITING LECTURER Notre Dame, IN Fall 2001- Summer 2004
·
Instructor for first, second and third year
Spanish language.
·
Developed supplementary course material for first
and second year courses.
·
Designed and introduced a new course in Advanced
Grammar and Writing
·
Served as a course coordinator for multi-sectioned
Intermediate Spanish 201
courses. Position involved coordinating the
work of several instructors and supervising the curriculum for the course.
Education
University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, IN 2001
MA Latin American and Iberian Studies
·
Focus of Master's program was Latin American and
Iberian literature. Course work for MA was also complimented by graduate work
in French Literature.
·
Received the Foreign Language Area Award. The
Kellogg Institute gives this award for International Studies, through the
Department of Education’s Title VI Grant. This award included full tuition
waiver and the opportunity to engage in the study of Brazilian language and
culture.
·
Received Kaneb Award for Outstanding Teaching 2001
Whittier College, Whittier, CA 1997
BA in Political Science and Political Culture
Honors
Provost's Team Excellent Award in
Spanish November 2011
"In recognition of teaching excellence as demonstrated through the academic achievement of your students during the rigorous course of study at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center."
"In recognition of teaching excellence as demonstrated through the academic achievement of your students during the rigorous course of study at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center."
