Sharon Torkelson

Experience

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  CNN Cable News Network

  Jan 1991 - Jan 2000

  News Writer, Radio Anchor

  International Writer/ Radio Anchor/ Domestic News Assignment EditorWrote, anchored and produced radio network newscasts for a national audience; wrote international news for television newscasts broadcast internationally; managed daily story assignments and coverage for a national television news network

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  Mt. Bethel Christian Academy

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  Teacher- Middle School Language Arts, Spanish

  Taught Language Arts, Spanish, and Writing classes to students in grades 6-8. Launched middle school’s first online student newspaper. Initiated and facilitated the school’s first K-8 yearbook designed and created by middle school students.

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  Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2019

  Monitored student achievement and facilitated plans to increase student proficiency and mastery of learning standards. Assisted teachers in creating interactive learning environments that engage student learning. Communicated with 200+ applicants annually through heavy phone outreach, email, and face-to-face interviews, resulting in full enrollment. Initiated conversion to online application process to increase revenue and streamline admission process. Collaborated with advancement and marketing departments to promote and increase brand awareness through social media, web search and print advertising. Interviewed 100+ students at Southeastern China recruitment events to create admission pipelines. Designed and developed ESL curriculum for international students. Facilitated professional development in best practices for teaching ESL students. Served as faculty mentor for students completing senior thesis research projects on second language acquisition. Student Government Adviser: Organized and supervised student elections and student life events.

  • Academic Coach

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2019

  • Director of Admissions

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2017

  • Teacher- ESL, English, Spanish

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2015
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  COASTAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2019

  Interim Principal / Consultant

  Successfully transitioned mid-year as Interim Head of School leading team of 15 faculty and staff serving 80 students in grades PreK-6. Provided visionary leadership for marketing, site planning and launch of middle school in 2019. Recruited, hired, supervised and evaluated instructional staff for 2019-2020 academic year. Led transition to outsource tuition management, slashing costs and workload for administrators while increasing consistent revenue. Streamlined admission process to recruit and enroll mission appropriate students and families Show less

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  VIERA CHARTER SCHOOLS INC

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2022

  Director of World Languages

  As Director of World Languages, I led and supported a team of 6 foreign language teachers in a charter school serving more than 1000 students in grades K-8. I initiated and facilitated the transformation of the department's curriculum and grammar-based teaching methods to a more communicative approach through comprehensible input and storytelling.

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  Peace Corps

  Apr 2022 - Apr 2023

  English Education Specialist - Peace Corps Response

  My responsibilities include collaborating with national and local ministries of education in providing training and support for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). I provide support for Colombian English teachers through virtual and in-person training, classroom teaching demonstrations and curriculum design. In addition to co-teaching and collaborating in public secondary schools, I conduct professional development training for English instructors in Colombia’s national training service (SENA). Show less

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  Brevard Public Schools

  Sept 2023 - Jun 2024

  English Language Teacher

  Develop and deliver learning experiences that address all aspects of communication through a broad range of teaching strategies.

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  U.S. Department of State

  Jun 2024 - now

  English Language Specialist