Sarah N. Penalora
306 S. Vinedo Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 356-9203 or (626) 584-5040
EDUCATION
Single Subject Teaching Credential (CLAD) – English
Point Loma Nazarene University, Pasadena – May 2002
Master of Arts – English
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – June 1990
Bachelor of Arts – English
California State University, San Diego – June 1988
Associate of Arts – Language Arts
Pasadena City College, Pasadena – June 1986
WORK EXPERIENCE
Temple City High School, Temple City, CA
Courses Taught: AP English Language and Composition, Expository Writing, Humanities, American Literature, Sophomore English Aug. 2000—present
§ Advanced Placement English Language and Composition emphasizes rhetorical analysis, and writing on demand. Primary concerns include writing with confidence, identifying rhetorical strategies, and defending an argument with and without supplementary materials. Research and public speaking are major components.
§ Expository Writing focuses on prose analysis and exposition. This class was designed to transition high school students into college composition courses. Research and public speaking are major components.
§ Humanities class fuses literature with history, culture, art, and architecture from the time of the ancient Greeks to today. Research, presentation skills and technology are also a part of the curriculum.
§ American Literature emphasizes mastery of grade level standards as outlined in the Reading/Language Arts National Core Standards; the class includes an investigation of the American experience through examination of novels, plays, poems, short stories, expository essays, and media. Research and public speaking are major components.
§ Project-based American Literature and US History focuses on projects as an assessment for a combined class. More emphasis is placed on historical texts and political expression. Research and public speaking are major components.
§ Sophomore English explores contemporary and classic works of American literature, as well as ancient Greek plays, and Arthurian legends; it also includes mastery of grade level standards.
Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA
Courses Taught: 9th and 10th grade English for the Upward Bound Program Jun. 2005—Aug. 2007
§ Upward Bound Summer English for 9th and 10th grades was a combined class that emphasized preparing incoming freshman and sophomores for their next year’s English class. This class emphasized writing and critical thinking skills. They read selected pieces of literature to preview what they would analyze in the upcoming year. Students also lived in dorms for a week at Occidental College and at Cal Poly, Pomona and I taught them on those campuses as well.
Alverno High School Sierra Madre, CA
Courses Taught: Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, American Literature, Honors American Literature, Women/World Literature, Latin/Asian/African American Literature, Urban Myths, On the Wild Side--Themes of Discrimination, Video Journalism, Video Production
Aug. 1997 – Aug. 2000
· Advanced Placement English Literature emphasizes literary analyses of the novel, the short story, drama, and poetry. It is an intensive college-level English course. Students write analytical and argumentative essays, as well as research papers.
· American Literature/Honors American Literature explores the American experience and the American dream through culturally diverse perspectives, beginning with Native American poetry and ending with contemporary American authors; the class also concentrates on the immigrant experience in America, economic changes and repercussions, industrialization, and American literary movements, also includes creative writing, essay writing, and grammar review.
· Women/World Literature concentrates on works written by women about women, focuses on feminist ideals, analyzes the portrayal of women through the ages, media’s images of women, women’s issues, and identity.
· Latin/Asian/African American Literature focuses on cultural identity in America and in country of origin, examines experiences primarily through women’s perspectives.
· Urban Myths investigates literature that focuses on urban settings, the effects of wealth and poverty, education and social unrest.
· On the Wild Side probes themes of discrimination: ageism, racism, and sexism.
· Video Journalism/Production is a hands-on class, which includes the production of a morning bulletin, commercials, investigative reports, and public service announcements.
Citrus College Glendora, CA
Courses Taught: Reading and Composition, Fundamentals of Composition Feb.1991 – 2000
· Fundamentals of Composition focuses on critical thinking, expository writing, research methods, grammar and punctuation.
· Reading and Composition concentrates on analysis and evaluation of historical, socio-economic and philosophic aspects of literature, as well as basic review of literary terms and their applications.
Mount San Antonio College Walnut, CA
Courses Taught: Writing Skills Review, Reading Skills Review, and Study Techniques. Other Positions: Student Success Summer Academy Team Instructor, College Entrance Essay Reader and Evaluator Aug. 1994 – Aug. 1998
· Writing Skills Review concentrates on the organization and presentation of ideas, grammar and punctuation review, peer editing and evaluation of writing projects, and basic computer skills in Microsoft Word.
· Reading Skills Review emphasizes critical thinking, inferences, mapping, outlining, vocabulary, analytical response, evaluation and group discussion.
· Study Techniques focuses on stress and time management, increased memory and concentration, note taking. It also includes essay writing techniques, objective, and short answer examination techniques, research paper preparation and presentation, group and individual class projects, and applications of study techniques to academic and career goals.
· Student Success Summer Academy Writing class was a paired writing and reading skills review class specifically designed for students at risk of dropping out of college.
· College Placement Essay Reader is a position in which a team of readers evaluates and places students in English classes that are appropriate for their skills levels.
· I created supplemental materials to assist course work in writing, reading, and study techniques.
Fliteline Language Services Alhambra, CA
English as a Second Language Tutor June 1988 – Oct. 1989.
· English as a Second Language class focuses on reading, writing, and conversational English for foreign-born high school and junior high school students. I designed supplemental materials to accommodate English learners, including study sheets on subject/verb agreement, use of prepositions and articles, consistent verb tense and correcting missing subject and missing verb fragments. I also worked with students and parents to make the transition into an American educational system easier.
New Avenue Educational Center Monterey Park, CA
First Grade Teacher Aug. 1989 – June 1990
· First Grade includes reading, English, math, science, language, phonics, art, creative writing and health to culturally diverse students. This position included an evaluation of each student’s level of performance, and meeting with parents and students to set performance goals.
Post Masters Degree Course Work: Advanced Placement English Language Summer Institute, Teaching Writing, Critical Friends Training, Educational Psychology, Students with Acquired Brain Injuries, Hearing Loss and Remediation, Learning Disabilities, Adaptive Physical Education, Culture and Cultural Imperatives, Video Production: UC Riverside, CSULA, Cal Poly, Pomona; Mt. San Antonio College, UCLA
College Honors and Publications :
Dean’s Honor Roll
Published in Portfolio (University Publication)
Published in Spotlight (College Publication)
Published in Jr. Drag Racer (National Publication)
Leadership:
Teacher of the Year for Temple City Unified School District and Temple City High School: (2012)
English Department Co-chair: TCHS (2009-2012)
Literacy Lab Coordinator: TCHS (2011-present)
Emergency Team Co-leader, Logistics: TCHS (2011-present)
Baccalaureate Address Speaker: TCHS (2007)
National Honor Society Committee Member: TCHS (2008-present)
RTI Research Committee Member: TCHS (2009-present)
AP and Honors Teachers Committee Leader: TCHS (2009-2011)
WASC Focus Leader, Curriculum: TCHS (2014-present)
WASC Focus Leader, Standards-based Assessment: TCHS (2002-2003)
WASC Committee Focus Leader English Department: Alverno High School (1999-2000)
Junior Statesmen of America Club Advisor: TCHS (2014-present)
Model UN Club Advisor: TCHS (2010-present)
Humanities Club Advisor: TCHS (2011-2013)
Italy Club Advisor: TCHS (2013-2014)
RAMS World Cultures Club Advisor: TCHS (2014-present)
RAMS Fitness Club Advisor: TCHS (2014-present)
Knit Knacks Club Advisor: TCHS (2008-2009)
Dungeons and Dragons Club Advisor: TCHS (2005-2009)
Sophomore Government Advisor: Alverno High School (1997-2000)
Film Club Advisor: Citrus College (1995-1997)
Team Softball Manager: City of Sierra Madre (1996); Volunteer Softball Instructor for Visiting Italian Students: Pitzer College;
AYSO Soccer Manager, Coach, and Team Parent: Sierra Madre, Arcadia (2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Committee Membership:
ELA/ELD Textbook Adoption Committee Member: TCHS (2009-2010)
ELA/ELD Committee: TCHS (2012-present)
Critical Friends Leader UCLA School of Business Management: TCHS (2004)
Activities Council Member: Alverno High School (1997-2000)
Faculty/Staff Development Program and Travel Committee: Mt. San Antonio College (1995-1997)
Faculty/Staff Development Program Policy Review Committee: Mt. San Antonio College (1995-1997)
New Faculty Orientation Committee: Mt. San Antonio College (1997)