English and American Literature M.A., Rhetoric and Composition Instructor, General Reading and Writing Tutor

Rebekah's resume

Curriculum Vita
Rebekah Reneè Grado
Work: UTEP, Department of English, 500 W University Ave, El Paso, TX 79902 ⦁ phone: (concealed information) ⦁ Email: (concealed information)

Education
M.A., English and American Literature, University of Texas at El Paso
Concentration in Multicultural Literature
Completed May 2015

B.A., English and American Literature, University of Texas at El Paso
Minor in Inter-American Jewish Studies
Summa Cum Laude | Completed December 2012

Extended Seminar Paper

“Rubbing our dirt on to them”: Mimicking the English Culture of Hygiene in George Orwell’s Burmese Days
Directed By Dr. Maryse Jayasuriya
Successfully defended 11 May 2015
Liberal Arts Award for Outstanding Extended Seminar Paper | April 2016

Research Interests

Cultural Studies. Multicultural Literature. English Literature from the 18th century to the present.
Postcolonialism Medieval Studies. Religious Studies. Historicism. Physiology. Jewish American Literature.

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Lecturer
Rhetoric and Composition II [Special Topic: The Animal Turn], (24 students), University of Texas at El Paso, Spring 2017. (3 sections)

Rhetoric and Composition II, (19 students), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2016.

Rhetoric and Composition I, (23 students), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2016.

Introduction to American Literature, (20 students), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2016.

British Literature, from 1700 to the Present, (21 students), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2016.

Rhetoric and Composition II, 2 sections taught (23 and 20 students respectively), University of Texas at El Paso, Spring 2016. (2 sections)

British Literature, from 1700 to the Present, (34 students), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2015.
Create UTEP and department compliant syllabi, with 16 week calendar. Seek and assign appropriate course material to promote learning and foster critical conversation.
• Plan and instruct a sophomore British literature survey for students of all disciplines.
• Taught literature with an emphasis on close reading, critical analysis and explication.
• Covered a range of popular and important literary and artistic works, with a focus on colonialism, Marxism and gender issues.
• Instituted a multimodal pedagogy through the use of various web sources, comparative readings, graphic novels, films and the option to complete the final research project in the form of a modern film adaptation, documentary or public service announcement.

Developmental Reading & Writing, 2 sections taught (24 and 21 students respectively), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2015.
• Instruct students in the basics involved in the reading and writing processes.
• Equip students with the tools to read closely, think critically and write effectively.
• Introduce students to discussion, flipped-class and group based class meetings.
• Extensive instruction in writing grammar and mechanics.
• Worked one-on-one with students in the Writing Lab to help students negotiate reading, writing or campus-life related issues.
• Used a combination of focused free writing, reading projects, exams, essays and reflections to reinforce student learning.

Rhetoric and Composition I, 2 sections taught (23 and 24 students respectively), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2015. (2 sections)
• Introduced students to key rhetorical terms and effective composition in various genres.
• Followed programmatic course structure; taught composition strategies by utilizing essay and multimodal assignments.
• Introduced students to interdisciplinary topics and concepts; guided them through developing a proposal, annotated bibliography and research paper on their chosen topic; and encouraged students to seek out complicating, opposing and counter perspectives.
• Guided students in conducting primary research


Instructor
Rhetoric and Composition II, 2 hybrid sections taught (13 and 20 students respectively), University of
Texas at El Paso, Spring 2015.
• Held face-to-face and virtual class meetings.
• Personalized the programmatic curriculum and planned lessons and led discussions with an emphasis on alternate narratives and/or opposing viewpoints.
• Organized conference-style presentations.
• Used technology in the classroom to scaffold and execute the documentary assignment, and to access the virtual classroom, via Blackboard.


Rhetoric and Composition I, 2 sections taught (24 and 21 students respectively), University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2014.
• Introduced students to key rhetorical terms and effective composition in various genres.
• Followed programmatic course structure; taught composition strategies by utilizing essay and multimodal assignments.
• Organized “flipped classroom” group assignments in which groups taught their peers how to execute the upcoming assignment.


Teaching Assistant
Rhetoric and Writing Studies (formerly known as First Year Composition), Department of English,
University of Texas at El Paso, 2013-2015.
• Attended a rigorous, accelerated rhetoric and composition summer course.
• Trained to grade, based on programmatic standard, during bi-monthly “norming” sessions.
• Observed three seasoned instructors over the course of a semester.
• Fulfilled weekly six-hour commitment tutoring in the University Writing Center.


Professional Experience

Humanities Texas | Local Institute Coordinator
University of Texas at El Paso, April 2016-June 2016
• Acted as support for UTEP Coordinator, Dr. Brian Yothers, when working with Humanities Texas and various UTEP departments (respond to emails; keep notes; proof publications and work orders)
• Acted as support and liaison to teacher’s attending the institute (respond to emails; check teachers into housing)
• Created a Facebook account to connect to institute attendants and the community, and share information about scheduled events, as well as answer questions

University of Texas at El Paso | Student Assistant
University Writing Center, 2012-2013
• Writing tutor; provided services (face-to-face and virtually), at all stages of the writing process, to individual students, groups and classrooms.
• Workshop leader; lead introductory workshops for incoming freshman, college open-houses and campus hosted conferences.
• Training; trained new tutors. Created and lead on-line tutoring workshops at bi-monthly meetings.

University of Texas at El Paso | Internship
Inter-American Jewish Studies Program, 2012-2013
• Assistant to program director, Dr. Ezra Cappell by serving as a point of contact for prospective students and the Jewish Federation of El Paso.
• Represented and recruited for the department at university open-house events.
• Participated in volunteer activities and grant writing workshops at the Jewish Federation of El Paso.
• Assisted in creating fliers and publicizing events hosted and/or sponsored by the program.


Conference Presentations

“‘Men are all but stomachs:’ The Performing Body in Othello,” Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association Annual Convention, Salt Lake City, UT. October 2016

“‘The Expiring Idea of Home': Space and Social Justice in Disraeli's Sybil or The Two Nations,” Alpha Chi National Convention, Alexandria, VA, April 2016.

“Mentoring Masters in English: Introducing a Student-Lead Educational Partnership,” Graduate Student of English Association Annual Conference, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. April 2016.

“‘Men are all but stomachs:’ Understanding Appetite in Othello,” Graduate Student of English Association Annual Conference, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. April 2016.

“International Connections: Preserving the Relationship between England and Germany in Howards End,” Graduate Student of English Association Annual Conference, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. April 2016.

“International Connections: Preserving the Relationship between England and Germany in Howards End,” Women’s History Month Conference, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. April 2015.

“‘The Expiring Idea of Home': The Experience of Space and Architecture in Disraeli's Sybil or The Two
Nations,” Graduate Student of English Association First Annual Conference, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. March 2015.

“International Connections: Preserving the Relationship between England and Germany in Howards End,” Alpha Chi National Convention, Chicago, IL. Convention award, The Dennis M. Organ Prize for the top presentation by a Graduate Student or Alumni Member. March 2015.

“The Smell of Empire: Olfactory Oppression of the Colonized Subject in Burmese Days,” South Asian
Literary Association Annual International Conference, Vancouver, BC Canada. Finalist, Graduate Student Paper Prize. January 2015.

Border Issues, the University Writing Center and Writing Tutoring (Roundtable Organizer), UTEP/ NMSU Joint Graduate Conference, New Mexico State University. Las Cruses, NM. April 2014.

“The Smell of Empire: Olfactory Oppression of the Colonized Subject in Burmese Days,” UTEP/NMSU Joint Graduate Conference, New Mexico State University. Las Cruses, NM. April 2014.

“The Smell of Empire: Olfactory Oppression of the Colonized Subject in Burmese Days,” Alpha Chi Super-Regional Convention, St. Louis, MO. March 2014.

“The Indian Meat Market: Making Scents of the Female Subject in the British Raj,” Women's History Month Conference, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX. March 2014.

"Spenser's Vilifying Gaze: The Image of Duessa," Alpha Chi Super-Regional Convention, Nashville, TN. April 2013.

“The Anatomy of Nothing: Mitigating Gender and Sex in King Lear,” Alpha Chi Super-Regional Convention,Baltimore, MA. Convention award, The Michael Flachmann Prize in Shakespeare. March 2012.

“Bernard Malamud's Tikkun Atzmi,” Alpha Chi National Convention, San Diego, CA. April 2011.

Invited Talks and Presentations

• Guest Speaker, Graduate Preparedness Informational Session, Mentoring Masters in English, University of Texas at El Paso. April 2016.
• Guest Speaker, Regional Chapter Strengthening Session: Educational Travel and Student Success, Alpha Chi National Convention, Alexandria, VA. April 2016.
• Guest Lecturer, Christina Rosetti’s “The Goblin Market,” British Literature from Romanticism to the Present (taught by Aarin Walston), University of Texas at El Paso. March 2016.
• Guest Speaker, Writing an Effective Statement of Purpose, Graduate Student of English Association, University of Texas at El Paso. December 2015.
• Guest Speaker, Techniques for Effective Online Tutoring Sessions, University Writing Center, University of Texas at El Paso. April 2013.
• Guest Lecturer, APA Format: Presentation and Peer Review Workshop, Global Business Class, University of Texas at El Paso. February 2013.
• Guest Lecturer, “An Introduction to The Pianist,” Holocaust Literature and Film (taught by Dr. Ezra Cappell), University of Texas at El Paso. October 2012.


Other Professional Experience

Director | Mentoring Masters in English (MentorME)
The goal for this program is to bring Alumni, graduate students, and undergraduates together, as a community, to foster support in academic growth, professional development, and help with preparing students for graduate school and the professional world.
Co-founder: Aarin Walston
(concealed information) | University of Texas at El Paso, Spring 2016-Present



Curator | “Rice (Hi)stories: The Movement of Rice Across Continent and Culture”
Created an exhibit for the "Afro-Latino Foodways Virtual Museum," with the support of The University of Texas at El Paso's Academic Technologies and The Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum.
University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2014.

Participant | Ethnographic Study in First-Year Composition
Opened my classroom to be observed by graduate students of Dr. Kate Mangelsdorf & Dr. Char Ulman, who were conducting the study.
University of Texas at El Paso, Fall 2014.

Evaluator | El Paso Academic Decathlon
Served as a first reader. Read, annotated and offered a preliminary score for participating student essays.
Ysleta High School, El Paso. January 2014.


Scholarships, Fellowships and Grants

o Alpha Chi Dennis M. Organ Prize for the top presentation by a Graduate Student or Alumni Member. March 2015.
o Finalist (and only Master’s candidate) for the South Asian Literary Association Best Graduate Student Paper Prize. January 2015.
o University of Texas at El Paso Graduate School Travel Fund. November 2014.
o Baker-Hernandez Travel Fund. November 2014.
o Dr. Mary Hernandez Graduate Student Research Fund. May 2013.
o Dr. James K.P. Mortensen Endowed Scholarship in English and American Literature. Spring 2012.
o University of Texas at El Paso Study Abroad Scholarship. Summer 2012.
o Alpha Chi Michael Flachmann Prize in Shakespeare. March 2012.
o Dr. James K.P. Mortensen Endowed Scholarship in English and American Literature. Fall 2011.
o Alpha Chi, Texas Alpha Beta Chapter Scholarship. April 2011.


Academic Service

o Faculty Tutor, The Writing Lab, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Developmental English & Math, Fall 2015.
o Planning committee, First Annual Grad SEA Interdisciplinary Conference, University of Texas at El Paso
o Graduate Student English Association. Spring 2015.
o Panel organizer, First Annual Grad SEA Interdisciplinary Conference, University of Texas at El Paso
o Graduate Student English Association. March 2015
o Treasurer, University of Texas at El Paso Graduate Student English Association. 2014-2015.
o Panel organizer, UTEP/NMSU Joint Graduate Conference, New Mexico State University. Las Cruses, NM.
o March 2014.
o Chapter Preside, Alpha Chi, Texas Alpha Beta Chapter. 2011-2015.


Professional Affiliations

Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association, Member since 2016.
Modern Language Association. Member since 2015.
South Asian Literary Association. Member since 2014.
University of Texas at El Paso Graduate Student of English Association. Member since 2013.
Phi Kappa Phi. Member since 2012.
Sigma Tau Delta. Member since 2011.
Alpha Chi. Member since 2010.


Awards and Honors

Liberal Arts Award for Outstanding Extended Seminar Paper, Spring 2016.
Student Representative (by nomination), at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation UTEP Campus Visit; speaker on the student interview panel. Fall 2015.
Outstanding English and American Literature Master's Candidate. Spring 2015.
Outstanding English and American Literature Undergraduate. Fall 2012.
Outstanding Inter-American Jewish Studies Undergraduate. Fall 2012.