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Design Thinker with a focus on Educational Technology
Merisenda Bills
Cambridge, MA
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About
I'm extremely passionate about the intersection of education, technology, and access. I would like to help create a world where technology empowers all users with the resources and tools to achieve their higher and innermost potential. My experience in education, multimedia journalism, and design thinking has equipped me with the skills to be an innovative and adaptive leader who can approach problems from multiple perspectives.
My interests include:
-designing accessible user experiences and interfaces
-creating developmentally appropriate learning resources
-curating meaningful self-paced, e-learning experiences
-managing multiple projects
-implementing technology effectively
-taking socially innovative approaches to learning
Contact me:
merisendabills@gmail.com -
Education
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Master of Education (M.Ed.) Technology, Innovation, and EducationHarvard University Graduate School of Education2014 - 2015
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Masters EducationLoyola Marymount University2011 - 2013Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential M.A. in Urban Education, concentration in Educational Policy and Administration
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BA Broadcast journalism, digital studies, interactive mediaUniversity of Southern California2007 - 2011B.A. in Broadcast and Digital Journalism, May 2011 (Minors in Digital Studies, Interactive Media and the Culture of New Technologies) Awards: Honors in Multimedia Scholar
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Experience
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Learning Resources DeveloperLifelong Kindergarten GroupSep 2014 - Dec 2014 (3 months)Develop online resources and tutorials, create images, and draft starter projects for Scratch, a creative online learning community.
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Elementary School TeacherAlum Rock Union School DistrictAug 2011 - Jun 2014 (2 years 10 months)Instructor: kindergarten, fourth grade, and 4/5-combination class
Integrated 21st century skills through project-based learning and iPad technology
Presenter/Facilitator: technology workshops supporting colleagues’ iPad integration
Coach: trained all-girls running club for 5k to foster a healthy community
San Antonio Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 2013
Grant writer: submitted successful proposals for field trips, books, and a MakerBot 3D printer
Member: Instructional Leadership Team to implement school’s Theory of Action -
TeacherTeach For AmericaJul 2011 - Aug 2011 (1 month)Corps member: intensive program developing skills and knowledge needed to achieve significant gains in student achievement
Summer instructor: supporting 8th grade students in Los Angeles area public schools
Measurable increase in student proficiency in language arts and writing -
InstructorIntersections/Foshay Learning CenterFeb 2011 - May 2011 (3 months)Instructor: high school art class on creating in-depth multimedia stories
Curricular implementation: advanced sound design, filming and editing techniques
Increase of student proficiency using Audacity, Soundslides, and FlipCam software -
Camera/Network OperatorUniversity of Southern CaliforniaMar 2008 - May 2011 (3 years 2 months)Operated cameras, captured screens, and filmed the graduate lectures at the Viterbi School of Engineering.
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MentorUSC La Curacao Academic Achievement Program2007 - 2011 (4 years)Presenter: conducted monthly college preparation, life skills and leadership workshops at under-resourced local high schools to support students through the college application process
Mentor: individually guided students in applying for financial aid and writing personal statements -
JournalistAnnenberg TV NewsAug 2008 - May 2010 (1 year 9 months)Web Producer: Posted timely, accurate, well-produced breaking news alerts, headlines, summaries, text articles, video clips, stills, on-camera stand up teases, social networking updates and other multimedia elements to atvn.org from the field and the newsroom.
Reporter: Produced day of air broadcast packages for newscast and blogged about experiences.
Video Journalist: Wrote, shot, edited and created graphics for stories. -
Customer ServiceLanguage Line ServicesJun 2009 - Aug 2009 (2 months)Assisted customers with translation service requests on phone and through email, wrote up translation quotes, and assisted with office work such as filing and data entry.
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InternCinemation, LLCMay 2009 - Aug 2009 (3 months)Read, reviewed and edited synopses and treatments, cataloged script submissions, researched and drafted proposals.
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TroubleshooterUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSep 2007 - May 2009 (1 year 8 months)Cleaned and prepared lab, troubleshooted printing, scanning and audio/video capture issues, fielded all student, faculty and staff inquiries.
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Awards
LaunchPad@HGSE 2014 Education Hackathon Distinction: Impact Award
San Antonio Elementary School, 2013 Teacher of the Year -
Affiliations
HGSE, TFA, LMU, USC, ATVN
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@merisendabills, member since 2015