Omar Syed
Education
University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX
School of Education
M.A. Curriculum & Instruction, December 2011.
GPA 3.1
University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX
B.A. Liberal Arts, December 2005.
GPA 2.6
Certification
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) certification. Teaching House Chicago. April 2013.
TExES (Texas Exam of Educational Standards) 160 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 score: 255. May 2012
Work Experience
ESL Teacher, Houston Community College,
August 2013- Present
10 hours per week
Taught main skills and sub-skills to multi-level adult learners
Exercised class management requirements, including time management and discipline issues
Led class discussions with dynamic and friendly atmosphere
Evaluated individual and whole class performances
Devised effective approaches of presenting lessons
Clarified lesson objectives, maximized syllabus outcome, and fulfilled lessons purposes
Assigned relevant homework and projects to reinforce content mastery
Encouraged individual and group work, peer and self-correction
Raised level of language awareness and self-confidence
Gave periodic tests and assessed learners’ individual progress, weaknesses and strengths
Intern
January 2013- March 2013, Galena Park High School, English III
8-10 hours per week
Wrote period long Lesson Plans
Wrote 15 minute Mini Lessons
Read to students
Assisted teacher with daily duties
Monitored students in hallways during passing period
Checked if students are wearing ID badges
Prompted students to wear their ID badges
Instructed small groups of students
Assisted with classroom management
Monitored students work during independent practice
Graded students products
Checked attendance
Taught part of lesson
Taught entire lessons
Taught part of class period and completed 15 minute Mini Lesson Plans (IFAs)
Participated in 1 - 2 hour long department faculty meetings
Participated with teachers in in-service and study groups
Self-Employed
August 2012- current, English Language Tutor
8-12 hours per week
Tutored English face to face to International students
Instructed students in writing three essays per week, editing for grammar, clarity
Aided students with understanding and speaking English
Discussed specific grammatical problems with students
Held four hour-long daily face to face sessions with students
Conversed with students concerning pronunciation problems
Exchanged ideas and opinions on academic topics
Troubleshot, problem-solved grammar and pronunciation strategies with students
Practiced American grammar styles, conversational English with students
Coached written English, including grammar and its inherent structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in the English language
Taught by example, explaining grammar differences between English and student's native language
Self-Employed
May 2012- current, Skype English Language Tutor
6 hours per week
Tutored English via Skype to International students
Aided students with understanding and speaking English
Discussed specific grammatical problems with students
Held one hour-long daily sessions via Skype with students
Conversed with students concerning pronunciation problems
Exchanged ideas and opinions on conversational topics
Troubleshot, problem-solved grammar and pronunciation strategies with students
Practiced American grammar styles, conversational English with students
Coached written English, including grammar and its inherent structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in the English language
Taught by example, explaining grammar differences between English and student's native language
University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX
August - December 2011 Student Success Center, English Language Tutor
24 hours per week
Interned at the Student Success Center
Assisted ten students weekly with understanding and speaking English
Discussed specific academic problems with students
Held one hour-long sessions with students
Conversed with students concerning academic problems
Exchanged ideas and opinions on conversational topics
Troubleshot and problem-solved academic strategies with students
Practiced American grammar styles, conversational English with students
Practiced written English, including grammar and its inherent structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in the English language
Taught by example, explaining grammar differences between English and student's native language
Volunteer Experience
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Administration Hospital, Houston TX
November 2012- current
16 hours per week
Reviewed Oncology patients' data; received and transmitted large volumes of Oncology patients' appointment referrals by phone;
Input patients’ data into computer system via scanning and Microsoft Excel and Access
Novelist's Beta Reader
November 2011-present
5-10 hours per week
Proofread chapters
Critiqued author's work
Edited for clarity, exposition, and grammar
University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX
August 2000 – May 2010 Learning Initiative For Today (LIFT) ESL Volunteer Tutor
5 hours per week
Taught English vocabulary and grammar to adult students
Assigned homework, administered exams
Prepared syllabi and lesson plans
Organized activities with students to foster English acquisition
Sarvoday Hospital, Mumbai, India
June - August 2003 AIDS Clinic Volunteer
15 hours per week
Studied methods of counseling AIDS patients
Hello Angels Nursery/Preschool, Mumbai, India
June - August 1999 Volunteer Teacher's Aid
20 hours per week
Entertained children
Taught social skills
Taught numbers and counting
Taught letters
Taught songs, sang songs
United Way, Houston, TX
September 1994 – May 1995 Volunteer Swimming Instructor
9 hours per week
Taught swimming to physically disabled children.
Professional Skills
Active writer: beginning novelist, fan fiction, captioned photo stories
Academic papers selected for presentation at the 2007 National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates Conference and the 2010 University of Houston Clear-Lake Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts include, "Projecting Ethnic Identity Onto Inanimate Objects"
Proficient in both oral and written communication skills. Able to communicate, both orally and in writing, with people from diverse backgrounds effectively, tactfully and courteously.
Public speaking experience
2007 National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates Conference.
2010 University of Houston Clear-Lake Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Hindi
Able to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to include conference/event scheduling and completion of logistical arrangements for special events.
Able to apply basic analytical methods to various aspects of assigned programs or project areas.
Able to gather, track, and compile data, including numerical data for reports.
Possess knowledge of computerized information systems in order to access and analyze data to include word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
MS Word- 50 wpm, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, BASIC, C++