Devoted to classical-inquiry methods, I am a quiet and creative thinker, one who believes in the organic act of creative play within integrated curriculum design. Working with a myriad of skilled writers, teachers, and talented students (through the years) has permitted me to see and reflect on the intentional processes that move learning from content ownership to inspiration and collaboration. These diverse experiences in teaching genre-specific writing and leading curriculum coordination amongst faculty allow me to truly guide by listening and providing support (research and genre-specific workshops) for educators desiring stronger alignment within their curriculum goals. Public-relations and program development (writing and research) are two areas that I can serve communities within.
Thank you for taking the time to review my credentials.
Tanya Firestone
Curriculum Developer and Research Writer
Sep 2019 - Jan 2024
Educational Consultant
- Research and design curriculum to meet audience requirements. Foster authentic relationship building within communities with website content writing and coordination of related events
- Provide analytical advice for corporate causes that help support public needs and build internal relationships
- Assist nonprofits, private schools, and urban charter schools by leading faculty and staff in experiential design and workshopping methods
- Deliver job training skills and content-specific writing for grant proposals, human resource manuals, website design content editing, and textbook reviews for literacy content
Director of Student Services
Jul 2018 - Dec 2019
St. Mary Catholic School, Lake Leelanau
- Liaised daily with administration and teaching staff. Supported K-12 curriculum by reviewing needs. Provided academic advising to families and students
- Supported teachers by administering NWEA and PSAT tests
- Offered workshops for parishioners and the school community, parents and students, to continue the established mindset of continuous growth
- Reviewed College Programs and worked with families and learning platforms in selecting college choices
Faculty and Curriculum Coordinator
Jul 2016 - Aug 2018
The Leelanau School, Glen Arbor, MI
- Coordinated faculty initiatives for program development and assessment and fostered initiatives with NMC colleagues for partnering with Northwestern Michigan College to institute a college credit option for high school
students
- Led a series of integrated curriculum mapping professional development workshops for high school faculty with sessions that opened discussion on alignment and summative assessment with evaluations
- Explored various Learning Management Systems and analyzed data to support recommendations for integrating a school-wide assessment system to accommodate faculty, student, family and board interests.
- Collaborated with the Director of Art of a Literary Publication, Cone & Acorn, and the interdisciplinary team resulting in the launch of community projects at an Experiential Boarding School for diverse learners
- Assigned to an advisory committee role with families and the community.
- Courses Taught: English, Ancient and Protest Literature; Advanced Creative Writing; and Honors Search for
Meaning
Three years Adjunct Instructor and one year full time
Aug 2013 - Aug 2016
Northwestern Michigan College
- Contributed to first-year compositional meetings with colleagues for “norming” sessions and curriculum with assessment discussion. Utilized voice and digital feedback, and portfolio development research
- Courses Taught: first-year composition courses (ENG 111-112 Honors: Instructional design and honors’ continued research guidance.)
Tenure-Track English Faculty Professor
Jan 2009 - Mar 2011
City Colleges of Chicago, Daley College
- Member of College-Wide Assessment Committee assigned to compose funding proposals and maintain state accreditation. Assessed course practices and reviewed course curriculums, while providing researched
presentations to faculty on Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), program revision and alignment
- Attended Higher Learning commission (HLC) institute and presented Higher Learning Committee Assessment Practices to faculty
- Advised students and coordinated student credit transfers while assisting in partnerships with the community for job placements. Knowledgeable with student data analytics and record-keeping systems
- Co-led a student team of writers that won the Presidential Scholarship, Compton Diversity Writing & Research Award, 2009
- Recognized by the Assessment Committee Team
- Taught first-year writing (English 99-102 honors) and adjusted the curriculum to include textbook review and assessment ensuring program alignment
Language Program Coordinator
Mar 2009 - Jan 2011
Executive Language Training
- Followed standard practices for assessment and curriculum design in TOEFL, ESL preparation for testing in pronunciation and enunciation, reading and syllable placement, including conversational practice
- Liaised with International Business Executives and English Professors globally via Skype
- Served as a member of the launch team of online training programs and customized language programs
- Advised on content for marketing material development and the development of an employee training manual for internal company needs
- Facilitated language programs designed for International speakers requiring Business English speaking and writing skills, including non-native speakers lacking previous exposure to language conventions
Writing Workshop Facilitator and Owner of Literary Flower Studio
Nov 2005 - Mar 2008
Artist and Consultant Chicago, IL
- Edited and evaluated writing samples and lesson designs with the nonprofit Chicago Foundation for Education, for Chicago Public School (CPS) teachers. Conducted poetry sessions within the shop with focus on space design, language, and botany
- Managed corporate fund-raising events, including event planning, in conjunction with Chicago Business for Women. Maintained business accounts with Lululemon and Tea Gschwender
retailers
- Taught first-year writing with a focus on Ethnography at Columbia College, Chicago, IL
- Offered specially designed Business Writing Workshops to businesses
- Sponsored writing pieces that appeared in Where Magazine, Chicago
Teaching Fellowship
Jul 2003 - May 2005
University of Dayton
English Teaching Instructor
Courses Taught: First-year writing, English 101 and English 102
MA (English)
Aug 2003 - May 2005
University of Dayton
2 years MS Education and teaching Licensure
Sep 1999 - Jun 2001
University of Cincinnati, Teachers College