Alex Guenther

Résumé and References

Résumé in .pdf Format

Date of birth: 18/08/1975 - Marital status: Married - Nationality: American

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 inspire student learning and achievement.

SKILLS
Experienced and certified English and ESL teacher; experienced writer, translator and editor. I am a lifelong language learner, passionate and knowledgeable about literature, travel and linguistics, with the international experience and cultural awareness to connect with students from around the globe. First language English; can read and speak German and intermediate French; familiar with the basics of most Romance and Germanic languages.

Computer skills: Familiar with most common PC and Macintosh applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, internet applications, library research systems) and experience with HTML coding and website design. Adept IT learner and teacher.

TEACHING / PEDAGOGICAL EXPERIENCE

The American School of Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand

ESL Teacher (Middle and High Schools)
August 2008 - present

• Address the language learning needs of ESL students in the Middle and High Schools through a blend of sheltered pull-out courses, in-class support, and after-school assistance. Design and deliver lessons to improve students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, aligned with departmental curriculum and the Expected Schoolwide Learning Results.

ESL Department Head
August 2008 - present

• Update and oversee implementation of departmental curricula for all three divisional levels, oversee in-school ESL testing and student placement decisions, coordinate ESL teachers’ schedules and order new materials. Support core subject teachers to enable them to address the needs of ESL students in their classrooms.

International School Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand

After School Academic Lab Instructor
October 2007 - June 2008

• Duties included liaising with counselors, teachers and administrators to help students meet academic targets.

Substitute Teacher
August 2007 - June 2008

• For various subjects, at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels.

After-School Tutor
August 2007 - June 2008

• Instructed and aided International School Bangkok students in various subjects, particularly English.

Mont’ Kiara International School - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Full-Time Replacement/Substitute Teacher
August 2005 - June 2007

• Long-term and short-term substitute for teachers at Mont’ Kiara International School; various subjects and grade levels.

After-School Tutor
August 2005 - June 2007

• Instructed and aided Mont’ Kiara students in various subjects, particularly English.

Adult ESL Instructor - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
August 2005 - June 2007

• Taught 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.

Munich International School - Munich, Germany
Tutor
October 2000 - August 2005

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

Adult ESL Instructor - Munich, Germany
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.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Translating - Munich, Germany

German-to-English Translator
2004 - present

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

WorldGuide Verlag - Munich, Germany

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 and wrote travel and lifestyle articles. Company’s style required literary, historical and linguistic erudition.
• 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.

The Hartford Courant - Hartford, CT, USA

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.
• English Literature Subject Area Certification Endorsement (Provisional License, full licensure expected early 2009).
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (completed 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

Mairin Raisdana, MS/HS ELL Team Leader
Mont' Kiara International School
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Claudine Weber-Hof, Editor in Chief
WorldGuide Verlag
Munich, Germany

Sabine Cossette, Senior School Academic IT Coordinator
Munich International School
Munich, Germany