Zakia Elliott

Experience

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  Summer Learning and More (SLAM), Lea Elementary

  Jun 2010 - Jul 2010

  Assistant Teacher

  Developed lesson plans, organized supplies and assisted under-represented students ages 5 to 13 at Lea Elementary during art class.

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  Eastern Regional Research Center, USDA

  Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

  Summer Research Intern

  Prepared and tested samples for researchers in the Chemical Residues group, completed lab training and directly assisted with the lab group’s research projects and presented the results of my lab projects to members of Women In Natural Sciences and to the members of the research group.

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  Sophia Academy

  Apr 2013 - May 2013

  Guest Teacher

  Coordinated and facilitated interactive lessons, homework assignments and projects for three supplemental science literature workshops on human ecology and sustainability called “Wild Words."

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  FemSex Workshop

  Sept 2013 - May 2015

  Coordinator and Facilitator

  The FemSex Workshop is a peer-run workshop that aims to destigmatize marginalized sexualities by providing comprehensive sex education and facilitating honest dialogue. Organized pre-season and mid-season training sessions for facilitators, scheduled professional speakers for panel discussions and presentations, and facilitated weekly facilitator group meetings.Developed the workshop curriculum, planned two information and application sessions, selected participants and organized participants into workshop sections. Facilitated 3 seasons of FemSex, which consists of 23 bi-weekly workshop discussions and activities on topics including gender, sexuality, sexual health and personal identity for a group of 12-15 participants. Show less

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  Resilient Rhode Island Act

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2014

  Legislative Intern

  Worked as a research assistant with a Brown University faculty member, two consultants and a small team of Brown students to draft a new piece of climate change legislation for Rhode Island called the Resilient Rhode Island Act. I examined climate change impacts data from the IPCC, Rhode Island Coastal Resource Management Council and other sources for the drafting of the findings section of the Bill. I also researched other states’ climate change mitigation and adaptation legislation and compared their initiatives, targets and enforcement mechanisms. I collaborated with my team members in the drafting of the legislation and the planning of climate change adaptation strategies for Rhode Island. Show less

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  University of Wisconsin-Stout Company Page

  Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Independently pursued ethnographic research alongside nine undergraduate students researching phosphorus pollution in Lake Menomin and Tainter Lake in Menomonie, WI. Mentored by Tina Lee, PhD, Social Science Department. Focused research on political actors’ views of land use and water pollution in the watershed, current policies and programs aimed at cleaning local lakes, and the decision-making behaviors behind current and proposed environmental policies.Observed public meetings and conducted 19 Interviews with policy actors at different agencies, levels of government, and NGOs, including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP); Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRSC); Dunn County Land Conservation Division (County LCD); Dunn County Board; City of Menomonie; and University of Wisconsin-Extension (UW-Extension).Disseminated research to the public through by presenting a research poster at a community forum, writing blog articles, and publishing an op-ed in the Dunn County News. Show less

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  Resilient Rhode Island Research Team

  Sept 2014 - Dec 2015

  Undergraduate Researcher

  Returned to the Resilient RI Research Team to work on implementation of the Resilient RI Act by spearheading a public participation campaign to inform RI communities of the bill and participation opportunities. Collaborated with community organizations from Newport and South Kingstown, RI in the organization and facilitation of two community forums to discuss the impact of the legislation, local issues, and public participation options.

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  Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

  Oct 2015 - Jun 2016

  Outdoor Experiences Instructor

  Collaborated with Recreation Leaders to create program agendas for Pennypack and Wissahickon Environmental Centers, and independently ran educational programs for school-trip groups and afterschool programs for toddlers to 12th graders at Recreation Centers city-wide.Currently leading an initiative to streamline current programs by implementing program evaluation guidelines,develop a high school mentoring program between Parks and Recreation Workforce and Saul High School,and create training agendas on barriers to outdoor play with children of color Show less

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  PennFuture

  Jun 2016 - Sept 2017

  Southeast PA Outreach Coordinator
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  Sierra Club

  Sept 2017 - now

  • Program Manager -- Philadelphia Climate Works

    Aug 2019 - now

  • Conservation Program Coordinator -- Philadelphia Climate Works

    Sept 2017 - now