Tara Sheree Smith

409-540-0535 or 832-741-0900

4731 Ivy Meadow

Katy, TX 77449

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:

-Master of Arts degree in English from Lamar University obtained on December 18, 2010 (3.867 GPA)

-30 hours toward master’s degree in school and community counseling from Lamar University (3.882 GPA)

-Certified to teach grades 8-12 in the areas of English, journalism, and speech

-Five-years experience teaching 9th-12th graders in the areas of English, journalism, and speech

-Additional teaching experience as a tutor, student teacher, and four years of teaching summer school

-Two-years experience teaching college freshman composition and developmental writing

-Experience with reporting, writing, and public relations

EXPERIENCE:

Jan. 2011-PresentAdjunct Instructor Composition I and Ancient to Mid-17th Century Literature

Lone Star College-CyFair

9191 Barker Cypress Road

Cypress, TX 77433/ (281) 290-3917

Aug. 2010-Dec. 2010Adjunct Instructor Developmental Writing and Study Skills

Lamar Institute of Technology

855 East Lavaca

Beaumont, TX 77705/ (409) 880-8191

Aug. 2009-Dec. 2010Instructor (GA) Composition I and Developmental Writing

Lamar University

4400 MLK Blvd., P.O. Box 10009

Beaumont, TX 77710/ (409) 880-8558

June 2009-Aug. 2010Reading and Math Instructor and Tutor

Sylvan Learning Center

4356 Dowlen Road

Beaumont, TX 77707/ (409) 899-9798

July 2008 – May 2009English I Teacher

Clear Lake High School Ninth Grade Campus

2903 Falcon Pass

Houston, TX 77062/ (281) 284-2400

Aug. 2005 – May 2008English I and II Teacher

Port Neches-Groves High School

1401 Merriman

Port Neches, TX 77651/ (409) 729-7644

Aug. 2004 – May 2005English IV, Journalism and Speech Teacher (9th-12th)

Lumberton High School

103 South LHS Drive

Lumberton, TX 77657/ (409) 923-7890

Summer 04-06, 08Summer School English Teacher (9th-10th)

Port Neches-Groves High School

1401 Merriman

Port Neches, TX 77651/ (409) 729-7644

July 2003 – Dec. 2003News Writer/Reporter

Port Arthur News

3501 Turtle Creek Drive

Port Arthur, TX 77640/(409) 729-6397

June 2002 – June 2003News Writer/Reporter

Hardin County News

514 North Main Street

Lumberton, TX 77657/(409) 755-4912

Jan. 1999 – May 2002Managing Editor, News Writer/Reporter and Photographer

University Press at Lamar University

P.O. Box 10055

Beaumont, TX 77701/(409) 880-8102

EDUCATION: Graduated Summa Cum Laude in Dec. 2010 with an M.A. in English; Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lamar University with a B.S. in Communication with certification in the areas of secondary speech communication and secondary journalism on May 11, 2002; Passed ExCET/TExES in the areas of English, speech communication, and journalism (8-12)

ACHIEVEMENTS/AWARDS: Only seven out of approximately 125 English I 1110 and 1111 students of mine did not pass TAKS reading in 2005-2006; Bess Gentry Award candidate for best senior girl at Lamar University; SWJC managing editor award winner 2001; other SWJC and Southeast Texas Press Club awards in journalism; 3.867 GPA master’s English; secretary of Sigma Tau Delta; member of NCTE and Psi Chi

REFERENCES:

Steven Zani, chair of English at Lamar University, (409) 880-8558

Andy Coughlan, assistant director of student publications at Lamar University, (409) 880-8103

Debbie Duke, director of education at Sylvan Learning Center, (409) 899-9798