Work Experience
Freelance Writing and Editing 1 September 1995 - present
* Provide creative ideas and concepts with substance, direction and content for web developers, brochures, news releases, and articles
* Write human interest stories, photograph local community events for weekly newspaper, Bethlehem Press
* Wrote a weekly column focusing on the delicate balance of motherhood and a full-time profession for Patch.com
* Combine interviewing, writing and designing skills to develop resumes and cover letters designed to highlight job candidates’ skills and abilities
* Outside editor/ reader responsible for editing content for clarity, style, conventions for doctoral dissertations of students attending CUNY, Lehigh University, University of Delaware
* Provided undergraduate and graduate students a forum in which to improve their writing styles and conventions at Lehigh University’s Rauch Business Center’s writing center
* Wrote and edited newsletters, brochures, and news releases for Fuller-Kovako Corporation, a company which manufactures, sells, and installs pneumatic ship loading systems
* Wrote and edited newsletters for the Pennsylvania Classics Association, a non-profit organization of Classics, Latin, Greek teachers and professors
Pennridge High School, Perkasie, PA 28 August 2000 – 30 June 2013
* Latin levels taught included Latin I and Latin II with a focus on English and Latin grammar, vocabulary, etymology, history
* English classes taught included American Literature (transitional, academic, honors levels); World Literature (academic, honors levels); British Literature (academic level) with a focus on developing writing fluency and textural analysis
* Also taught Creative Writing, which focuses on creative non-fiction, form and free-verse poetry, fiction, playwriting, and screenplays
* Researched, developed, designed and wrote curricula to meet variety of student needs and abilities by using best practices, observation to meet state standards
* Advisor to Literary Magazine, which features student writing, art and photography
* Advisor to Classics Club, where students meet to discuss and debate the classics, challenge themselves with more difficult Latin translations, study mythology, watch and analyze films inspired by classical literature and history
Barton County Community College, Ft. Riley, KS 1 November 1997 – 10 August 2000
* Taught military personnel basic written and conversational English in preparation for them retaking their ASVAB tests to improve their GT scores so they might change their MOS (military jobs)
* Taught military personnel and their dependents a variety of college-level courses including Basic English 1, Basic English 2, Expository Writing I, Public Speaking, Introduction to the Internet, Introduction to Microsoft Office, Creative Writing
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 25 August 1998 – 15 May 2000
* As a graduate student fellow, taught first and second semester freshmen Expository Writing I and Expository Writing II
Education
Secondary Latin Certification, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA August 2004
Earned secondary Latin Certification (grades 6 – 12)
M.A. Creative Writing, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS May 2000
Focused on creative non-fiction and technical writing
M.Ed. Curriculum Planning and Development, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA May 1997
Also earned Secondary English (grades 6 – 12) certification
B.A. Journalism, University of Delaware, Newark, DE May 1993
Minor degree: Medieval European History
Skills
• Outstanding written and spoken English
• Experience writing business letters, pamphlets, brochures, technical documentation including manuals, newsletters, press releases
• Experience in proofing and editing with AP, APA, CMS and MLA styles
• Excellent computer skills and expertise using MS Office, and iWork
• Efficient researcher
• Experience with Zoho Writer, Google Docs, iNetWord, Prezi and other popular web technologies
Publications, Presentations
• Conference Presentation – Kansas State University
• PCA conference Temple University – Teaching the epic hero
• Editor, Pennsylvania Classics Association Quarterly Newsletter
• Weekly Columnist, Patch.com
• Blogger, joannaireland.wordpress.com