Melissa Tolomeo
Punggol
Summary
Knowledgeable educator and team leader with background in project coordination and successfully managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Delivered crucial support in organizing events and streamlining processes to enhance operational efficiency. Demonstrated proficiency in communication and problem-solving to improve team collaboration and project outcomes.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
EAL and Academic English Preparatory Programme (AEPP) Coordinator
One World International School
08.2024 - Current
- Designed and implemented the first AEPP pilot programme at OWIS in alignment with the Singaporean government's specifications; advocated for the inclusion of AEPP students in whole-school initiatives like CCAs and assemblies; taught the entire incoming grade 8 AEPP cohort of 27 students while simultaneously planning and implementing the programme
- Hired a teaching team to implement the AEPP programme across Grades 6, 7, 8
- Conducted EAL-specific professional development training sessions for small teams as well as all staff on the merits and application of differentiation in the classroom and integration of AI to enhance teaching and learning
- Liaised with the business development, admissions, senior leadership, and human resources teams to carry out the logistical plans needed to run the AEPP pilot programme
- Mapped out and ordered curricular resources for the AEPP, primary EAL, and secondary EAL programmes across the school
- Supported the admissions process for all new EAL intakes by working with the admissions team and families from Chinese, Kazakh, Russian, and Thai backgrounds
- Streamlined the processes and programming for the Enhanced and Additional EAL programmes that support mainstream students with EAL needs
- Worked with the PYP Coordinator and Student Support Coordinator to support students personal and academic needs
- Taught IGCSE English at the start of the academic year while planning for the implementation of the AEPP programme
- Conducted school-wide meetings for families on the EAL and AEPP programmes
MYP & DP English A: Language and Literature Teacher
Dwight School Seoul
08.2023 - 07.2024
- Planned and taught MYP and DP English A: Language and Literature courses to Grades 7, 9, 10 and 11
- Designed resources used for instruction and teacher support, which benefited MYP and DP Language and Literature students
- Upper School Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing Coordinator
- Led teacher training sessions on MAP data analysis and differentiation strategies to support Upper School teachers and students
- Member of the Dwight intra-network culture task force, which established a set of values and practices adopted by the Dwight member schools
- CIS accreditation chair - Domain G
- Served as the School Supported Self-Taught (SSST) Supervisor and Liaison with the IB for Grade 11 and 12 students
- Redesigned the SSST curriculum to support Grade 11 and 12 students navigating the course
- Joined the Dwight Culture Task Force initiative, working with senior leaders across every Dwight campus to develop the values and practices adopted by the school's network
Grade 5 PYP Teacher
Dwight School Seoul
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Planned and taught the Unit of Inquiry (UOI), reading, writing, math, and social-emotional learning to Grade 5 PYP students
- Differentiated instruction to support EAL students, as well as students with diverse learning needs
- Built positive relationships with families and fellow teachers to support the holistic development of all of my students
- Collaborated with Makerspace, ECD (Early Childhood Department), Upper School, and Quest (student support) staff to provide meaningful learning opportunities that aligned with each student's 'spark' of genius
- Conducted regular assessments in order to triangulate data, which was then used to provide targeted instruction for students
- Supported students as they completed three exhibitions - the PYP Exhibition, SPARK Tank business proposal exhibition aligned with our How We Organize Ourselves (HWWO) unit, and Borders Unit Exhibition, which took place during our Where We Are in Place and Time (WWAPT) unit
Grade 5 PYP Teacher
Stamford American International School
09.2019 - 08.2022
- Collaborated with the student support department teachers to identify students with diverse learning needs and abilities and develop strategies to support them
- Co-taught with the EAL teacher to support the language development of EAL learners in the class
- Liaised with a team of eleven other grade 5 teachers to ensure consistent curriculum delivery across all classes
- Planned lessons and instructional resources with the math coach, literacy coach, and PYP coordinator to ensure that the curriculum was being delivered in a cohesive and holistic manner
- Worked closely with the safeguarding team and Child Protective Services department in Singapore to support students' well-being and ensure that all students were safe and protected
- Worked closely with the student support department to provide in class interventions for students requiring intensive academic and social emotional support
- Taught Mainstream and Sheltered EAL Grade 5 PYP classes as a homeroom teacher, as well as Grade 3 PYP classes where I supported teachers through the provision of co-taught EAL instruction
- Provided differentiated instruction and created materials to support teachers' abilities to differentiate for the students in their classes
Curriculum Specialist & Early Childcare Teacher
Greenland Childcare
02.2018 - 08.2019
- Developed a holistic curriculum centered around the center's predetermined themes
- Created supplementary learning materials specific to each theme and learning area
- Taught six sessions per day to students in N2, K1 and K2 levels in the areas of yoga, reading and literacy, numeracy, discovery of the world, motor skills, social and emotional awareness and mindfulness, and creative expression
- Began teaching students yoga and mindfulness strategies during morning assembly sessions
- Taught students about the power of a growth mindset and their ability to grow as learners and as people
- Instituted daily reading lessons to strengthen students' phonetic awareness and literacy acquisition
- Implemented and trained teachers in classroom management strategies using the Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) method and ClassDojo
- Conducted regular assessments of students' academic and social/emotional development
- Taught and managed classes of students where a high percentage of the children had special needs and behavioral disorders
- Liaised with parents regarding student progress, performance and behavioral needs or concerns
- Organized and delivered the 2018 Start Small Dream Big (SSDB) project for the center
- Planned and led the 2018 Parents' Day Celebration for the center
- Prepared and conducted Parent Workshops for both the Kallang Bahru and Buangkok centers
- Mentored new teachers on how to plan, prepare learning materials, develop rapport with students, establish learning stations and how to communicate with families regarding their children's needs
ESL Tutor
Tutor ABC
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Taught ESL to students living throughout East Asia through an online learning platform
- Supported children, adolescents and adults through online ESL instruction
- Instruction targeted students listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills development
ESL & Public Speaking and Debate Teacher
Australian Center for Education
10.2015 - 12.2016
- Taught Business English, general and remedial English to adults and young learners
- Taught Public Speaking & Debate to classes of 20+ adults
- Mentored debate students outside of class in preparation for competitions; classes outperformed the other campuses every term
- Conducted a PD seminar on ClassDojo use in the classroom for learners of all ages
- Prepared and taught lessons of 1.5 - 4.5 hours in length using school provided and authentic materials
- Taught cover classes as requested by the school administration
- Participated in out-of-school events and initiatives as requested
Academic Vice Principal & Primary Teacher
Zaman International School
09.2014 - 10.2015
- Adapted the academic structure of lower primary grades in order to assist teachers in their planning, preparation and teaching of the Cambridge curriculum
- Redefined the standards for academics for grades 1-6 to include a higher percentage needed to pass any given class, as well introduced an attendance policy for the school
- Oriented, trained and provided support materials for all teachers in grades 1-3
- Taught reading to grades 1-3
- Developed a character assessment criteria in order to monitor students' behaviors so as to further improve their academic performance
- Arranged out-of-school field trips and coordinated activities for summer school students in grades 1-8
- Met with parents concerning students' behaviors, academic performance and general concerns so as to come up with solutions that best met the needs of each child, not limited to but including necessary disciplinary techniques
- Planned and delivered orientation seminars for all teachers so as to improve communication and cooperation among all staff members
- Interviewed new students and staff for enrollment and employment
- Created a new PTC structure whereby parents and teachers would improve communication about students' performances and needs
- Taught Grade 1 English grammar, spelling, reading, handwriting and Cambridge Exam preparation
- Created daily lesson plans, term plans and weekly lesson plans, homework, exams
- Attended regular administrative meetings and assisted in administrative duties such as editing formal documents and substitute teaching as needed
- Led home visits for students struggling with school and special needs students adapting to mainstream education
- Began a remedial tutoring session for students in Grades 1-4 so as to improve their basic reading and spelling skills
- Taught Cambridge Club to grade 1 students; these students received the highest marks among all the students enrolled in Cambridge Club from grades 1-5 during the 2014-2014 academic year
Kindergarten Teacher & Middle School Tutor
Western International School
01.2013 - 08.2013
- Developed and taught an ESL curriculum to classes of 30 kindergarten aged students with little access to resources
- Led parent-teacher conferences to support students' academic and personal needs
- Tutored Middle School students at WIS after school in English and math
Project Management Assistant
Cambodian Children's Fund
06.2012 - 01.2013
- Assisted the personal assistant to the Executive Director, as well as the Executive Director, in administrative tasks, media development and ongoing projects
- Conducted research on the effectiveness of child protection laws and extraterritorial jurisdiction for later use in an international conference
- Project management of the CCF Garment Center
- Worked with former Australian Federal Police and Cambodian National Police to develop a child protection unit for the protection of all marginalized youth and training of legislative bodies
- Helped the media team with weekly media updates and ongoing responsibilities
- Organized and scheduled all sponsor/donor visits to CCF
- Facilitated the streamlining of tasks and appropriate job requirements, as well as developing job descriptions for positions held within CCF's office in the US
Education
Doctoral Candidate - Educational Leadership
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA01.2025
Master of Education (MEd) -
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
Ewing, New Jersey01.2020
Master of Public and International Aairs (MPIA) - Human Security
University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Aairs
Pittsburgh, PA01.2014
Bachelor - English & Economics
Washington & Jeerson College
Washington, PA01.2011
Skills
- Project management
- NGO consulting
- Teaching
- Curriculum development
- Coordination
- Google Suite
- Parent relations
- IB liaison
- Pastoral care
- Safeguarding
- Elementary education
- PYP
- Middle school English teacher
- MYP
- High school English teacher
- DP
- Student coordination
- Teacher training
- Leadership
- Public speaking
- Debate
- Classroom management
- Differentiation
- ESL/EAL
- MAP coordination
- Data triangulation/Data talks
- CEFR
- WIDA
- SIOP
- Policy analysis
- Research
- Events organization
Certification
- MYP Language and Literature, Category 2, International Baccalaureate, 2023
- DP Category 2: English A Language and Literature, International Baccalaureate, 2023
- Google Certified Educator: Level 1, Google for Education, 2022, 04/01/25
- Teaching Certification: Elementary Education, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), 2020, 855647
- Bok Teaching Certificate: Higher Education Pedagogy, Harvard Bok School of Education, 2018
- Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), International House, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2015
- Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms, Relay Graduate School of Education via Coursera, 2015
Timeline
EAL and Academic English Preparatory Programme (AEPP) Coordinator
One World International School
08.2024 - Current
MYP & DP English A: Language and Literature Teacher
Dwight School Seoul
08.2023 - 07.2024
Grade 5 PYP Teacher
Dwight School Seoul
08.2022 - 08.2023
Grade 5 PYP Teacher
Stamford American International School
09.2019 - 08.2022
Curriculum Specialist & Early Childcare Teacher
Greenland Childcare
02.2018 - 08.2019
ESL Tutor
Tutor ABC
01.2017 - 01.2018
ESL & Public Speaking and Debate Teacher
Australian Center for Education
10.2015 - 12.2016
Academic Vice Principal & Primary Teacher
Zaman International School
09.2014 - 10.2015
Kindergarten Teacher & Middle School Tutor
Western International School
01.2013 - 08.2013
Project Management Assistant
Cambodian Children's Fund
06.2012 - 01.2013
Master of Education (MEd) -
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
Master of Public and International Aairs (MPIA) - Human Security
University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Aairs
Bachelor - English & Economics
Washington & Jeerson College
- MYP Language and Literature, Category 2, International Baccalaureate, 2023
- DP Category 2: English A Language and Literature, International Baccalaureate, 2023
- Google Certified Educator: Level 1, Google for Education, 2022, 04/01/25
- Teaching Certification: Elementary Education, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), 2020, 855647
- Bok Teaching Certificate: Higher Education Pedagogy, Harvard Bok School of Education, 2018
- Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), International House, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2015
- Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms, Relay Graduate School of Education via Coursera, 2015
Doctoral Candidate - Educational Leadership
Drexel University
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