I exist to build community; to support others in doing good; and to create connection, freedom, and magic through storytelling. Here are some of the professional and educational adventures I’ve had so far:
EXPERIENCE
Mason Street Productions (2007-Present) Co-Founder
Create original content, do PR and business development for clients who are making the world a better place for all, get press for worthy projects and influential changemakers, and produce a bi-monthly love letter to Greece.
Freelance (2005-Present) Writer, Editor, and Proofreader
Research, write, edit, and proofread blog posts, essays, articles, interviews, reports, manuscripts, marketing emails, newsletters, advertisements, and more on a per-project or hourly basis as an independent contractor.
Write and edit copy for websites, magazines, businesses (both client-facing and internal), nonprofit organizations, governments, educational institutions, and individuals throughout the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Greece.
Clients have included Budget Travel, City Year L.A., DJNoiz.gr, El Dorado Solar Dude, EuroCheapo.com, Foreign Affairs, Hyim J. Ross, NEO Magazine, SML Strategic Media, Swagg News, United World, Virtual Driver Interactive, the Western Justice Center, and others.
Researched, wrote, edited, and proofread web copy, search announcements, candidate presentations, and other divisional and company-wide assets.
PLAE (2017-2020) PLAE-It-Forward Program Manager, Copywriter, and Copy Editor
Managed all communications with Finance, Accounting, Design, and other relevant teams, as well as with applicants to and ambassadors of the program.
Managed every step of the program ambassador application and approval process.
Wrote and edited clear, concise, creative, brand-voice-consistent copy (both short-form and long-form) for the PLAE-It-Forward campaign each month.
Worked with the copy editor, graphic designers, and director of brand strategy and media to revise copy as needed.
Moved quickly, took initiative, stayed organized, and handled multiple projects at once, thriving in a fast-paced environment and paying close attention to detail.
Hayward Unified School District, Hayward, California (2008-2016) Instructional Coach, English Department Chairperson, and Classroom Instructor
Worked with high school English teachers to improve their writing instruction.
Co-led a successful effort to begin transforming school- and district-wide culture.
Co-developed the district’s first-ever high school English common writing assessment. Measured growth from one semester to the next and from one year to the next over the course of three years, generating reports to reveal areas of instructional success and need to all stakeholders.
Sought out talented educators, recruited them, and served on hiring committees.
Wrote grant proposals for myself and other teachers, most of which were funded.
Drafted specifications of syllabi/curricula for new courses to be considered by the University of California Course Management Portal for “A-G” college admissions credit, expanding course options for both staff and students alike.
Organized and led after-work, day-long, and week-long Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) trainings. Remained flexible to meet the needs of my colleagues.
Served as Master Teacher for Student Teachers from Mills College, UC Berkeley, and Cal State East Bay.
Served as Department Chairperson of HHS's English Department for four years and coordinated the department's first-ever off-campus collaborative work days.
Received the Mason McDuffie Education Foundation Grant and the Hayward Education Fund Grant.
Additional Relevant Professional Experience (1995-2005)
Private English Teacher for children ages 4-7 in Athens, Greece (2004-2007)
English Teacher for California students in grades 6-8 (1995-2004)
Canyon Middle School, Castro Valley
Montera Middle School, Oakland
Walters Junior High School, Fremont
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Middle School, San Francisco
English language tutor for orphaned children and incarcerated teens, Los Angeles (1989-1994)
Educational and professional coach for formerly incarcerated men, Los Angeles (1989-1994)
English language tutor for Korean adults learning English as a second language, Oakland (1987-1989)
EDUCATION
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California (1994-1995)
Clear Single Subject Secondary Teaching Credential in English
Magna Cum Laude Honors
UCLA, Los Angeles, California (1989-1994)
B.A., English Literature and African American Studies
Cum Laude Honors + Chancellor’s Service Award
University of York, York, England (1992-1993)
Undergraduate Coursework in English Literature
SKILLS
Attention to Detail · Blogging · CMS · Collaboration · Copy Editing · Copywriting · Creative Writing · CRM · Digital Marketing · Editing · Flexibility · Google Suite · Instructional Coaching · Interpersonal Skills · Interviewing · Journalism · MS Office · Negotiation · Organization · Recruiting · Research · Storytelling · Teaching · Written and Verbal Communication