Alex Guenther

Résumé and References

Résumé in .pdf Format

OBJECTIVE
To obtain an English or English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching position at an international school, in order to utilize my experience, enthusiasm, humor and creativity to instruct and inspire students.

SKILLS
Experienced and certified English and ESL teacher, writer, translator and editor. I continually strive for excellence as an educator and as an individual. I am a fast learner and a resourceful, determined problem-solver. First language English; can read and speak German and intermediate French; basic knowledge of most Germanic and Romance languages.

Computer skills: Familiar with most common PC and Macintosh-based applications (e.g., Microsoft Office and PowerPoint, Corel PhotoPaint, PageMaker, Quark XPress, Internet applications, library research systems such as LEXIS/NEXIS and SSCI Index) and HTML coding and website design. Adept IT learner and teacher.

TEACHING / PEDAGOGICAL EXPERIENCE

Mont’ Kiara International School – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Full-Time Replacement/Substitute Teacher
August 2005 – present

• Long-term and short-term substitute for teachers at Mont’ Kiara International School; various subjects and grade levels, with particular specialization in English Literature and English as a Second Language (ESL).

After-School Tutor
August 2005 – present

• Instruct and aid Mont’ Kiara students in various subjects, particularly English.

Computer Trainer
August 2005 – present

• Give computer training sessions to Mont’ Kiara students and parents, particularly on website creation.

Freelance Language Teaching – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Adult ESL Instructor
August 2005 – present

• Teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult learners of English.

WorldGuide Verlag (Publishing House) – Munich, Germany

Copy and Style Trainer
January 2003 – June 2005

• Led staff training sessions on writing style.
• Formulated, wrote and maintained WorldGuide’s style guidelines.

In-House Computer Trainer
January 2003 – June 2005

• Led staff training sessions on IT subjects including HTML coding and image editing.

Munich International School – Munich, Germany

Tutor
October 2000 – August 2005

• Instructed and aided Munich International School students in various subjects.

Freelance Language Teaching – Munich, Germany

Adult ESL Instructor
October 2000 – August 2005

• Taught English as a Second Language to adults.

University of Connecticut College of Education National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) – Storrs, CT, USA

Publications Editor/Proofreader/Assistant
May 1997 – June 1998

• Assisted lecturers and organizers at Confratute, an internationally-known summer institute on gifted learning and teaching.
• Edited, revised and proofread scientific research articles, doctoral dissertations and newsletters.
• Designed, wrote and desktop published NRC/GT informational brochures and advertisements.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Translating – Munich, Germany and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

German-to-English Translator
2004 – present

• Larger projects have included the website of a major German porcelain manufacturer and the website of a German homeopathic medicine association.

WorldGuide Verlag – Munich, Germany and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Freelance Correspondent
June 2005 – present

• Write, edit, proofread, and/or translate new material for WorldGuide travel publishing house (www.wgpremium.com).

Copy Editor, Events Editor, Writer, Proofreader
May 2001 – June 2005

• Head copy editor and proofreader for all WorldGuide publications, including travel books, online articles, newsletters and maps. Formulated, wrote and maintained WorldGuide’s style guidelines. Oversaw publications’ stylistic consistency.
• Researched, edited, updated and maintained WorldGuide’s online database of over 1,000 annual events around the world.
• Researched and wrote travel texts and lifestyle articles. Company’s demanding writing style required extensive literary, historical and linguistic knowledge.
• Helped design and maintain www.wgpremium.com internet portal using Imperia Content Management System (CMS).

Yukom Verlag – Munich, Germany

Freelance Editor
October 2000 – June 2005

• Edited and proofread translated articles for various industry magazines, with emphasis on telecommunications industry.

Corporate Translations, Inc. Mansfield Center, CT, USA

Senior Project Manager
June 1998 – August 2000

• Oversaw progress of translation projects.
• Interacted with translators, production staff and clients to ensure timely and error-free translation delivery.
• Proofread, edited and corrected translations, using various programs and operating systems.
• Assisted Formatting Department with desktop publishing and troubleshooting.

Chairman, Interdepartmental Feedback Committee
June 1999 – August 2000

• Coordinated weekly meetings to improve communication and efficient workflow among departments.
• Led initiatives to upgrade company’s standard computer programs and research new translation software.

The Hartford Courant – Hartford, CT, USA

Paid Intern (through Nutmeg Scholarship)
June – August 1994, 1995, and 1996

• Electronic Publishing Department: Helped plan, research, write and encode material for newspaper’s World Wide Web site; wrote computer game and website reviews for ENTER, newspaper’s weekly computer section.
• Northeast Magazine (Sunday supplement): Researched and wrote short articles, including several about Hartford’s first annual Mark Twain Days festival; helped write, edit and proofread Mark Twain Days festival’s official program.

University of Connecticut Daily Campus – Storrs, CT, USA

Comic Strip Author
Academic years 1995 and 1997

• Wrote and drew daily comic strip for university newspaper.

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree and Teaching Certification

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA

• State of Virginia English as a Second Language (ESL, PK-12) Teacher Certification with English endorsement (PK-12).
• English Subject Area Certification Endorsement (Provisional License, full licensure expected 2008).
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (expected date of completion July 2007).

Undergraduate Degree

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, December 1997.

• Double Major, English/History. Grade point average 3.7.

Study Abroad

City University, London, UK

Academic year 1996-1997

• Concentration in English and History. Grade point average 4.0.

Honors and Achievements

• Nutmeg Scholar (1993-1996, full, four-year merit-based scholarship to U. of CT).
• Winner, Robert Wooster Stallman Award for Excellence in the Study of English (1995).
• National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Writing (1992).
• National Merit Scholarship (1993); Robert C. Byrd Scholarship (1993); University of Connecticut Dean’s List, 8 semesters.
• Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

Professional Development

• "Understanding the Commitment to IB Schools" Workshop; George Mason University College of Human Development, Center for International Education, 24 June, 2006.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Linguistics, literature, writing, illustration, history, art history, travel.

REFERENCES

Scott Townley, MS/HS English Department Head
Mont' Kiara International School
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
s.townley@mkis.edu.my

Mairin Raisdana, MS/HS ELL Team Leader
Mont' Kiara International School
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
m.raisdana@mkis.edu.my

Claudine Weber-Hof, Editor in Chief
WorldGuide Verlag
Munich, Germany
weberhof@wgpremium.com

Sabine Cossette, Senior School Academic IT Coordinator
Munich International School
Munich, Germany
sabine.cossette@mis-munich.de