Amanda Castaneda Email & Phone Number

Us

San Diego, Ca, Us

Highly successful, mission-driven storytelling focused on sharing the story of the conservation impact of the organization and inspiring guests to take action to support a healthy world for all wildlife. Perform as organization’s public relations representative. Present educational and entertaining narrative simultaneously while driving a tour vehicle. Present a positive, friendly, and outgoing image. Conduct tours in an organized, safe and timely manner. Interact with tour patrons continuously. Load and unload tour vehicles. Educate the public and maintain the organization’s image of goodwill. Conduct tours on paths, walkways and behind the scenes areas. Well-reviewed by guests and supervisors.

Murrieta, Ca, Us

Developed new systems and tools to assist diverse learners in executive functioning and organization. These tools are now used successfully by other teachers and student support staff.Curriculum writer for Biology and Middle School Integrated Science. (Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Suite, Excel, Powerpoint, Canva, h5p, Powtoons, iMovie, LMS). Created a new, interactive curriculum based on principles of universal design for science courses tailored to the virtual learning environment. Consistent positive feedback for usability and rigor from supervisors and fellow teachers, and positive feedback from students for relevant and engaging material.Academic and counseling support and mentorship of at risk youth including life planning, executive functioning, and achieving high school graduation. Excellent performance reviews each year and increased responsibility throughout tenure. Consistent positive reviews from students and families as well as coworkers and supervisors.

San Diego, Ca, Us

Kindergarten and Pre-K classroom teacher for push-in school-based programs and summer camp. Program design for Pre-K summer camp classes in 2019 and 2020, receiving positive feedback and returning guests. Front-line handling of all school field trip reservations and public communications with the Safari Park Education Department. (Bookeo and Galaxy event scheduling and ticketing systems) Tracking and organizing of field trip program data for reporting purposes. Africa Tram driver and tour guide: planned and presented relevant, seasonal, and engaging tours through the African Savannah habitat for guests of all ages.

Planned fundraising events, designed the website and managed ecommerce using SquareSpace.com, wrote blog and social media posts, and acted in a Murder Mystery Dinner.

Northampton, Massachusetts, Us

Provided nature-based, inquiry and play-based, early childhood educational experiences and classes.

Free-lance writer of NGSS aligned activities to be sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Participated in an NGSS early implementer grant through WestEd which included training and experience creating and teaching NGSS aligned units using conceptual flow, three-dimensional learning, and 5E lesson planning.

Created hands-on classroom, inquiry-based curriculum adapted to students needs and interests. Incorporated iPads for skill/concept reinforcement, research, and virtual labs. Differentiated instruction for a wide variety of learners, including IEP/504 students and beginning English learners.Trained students in visual note taking and methods for recording information and thought processes in interactive science notebooks.

Oakland, California, Us

High School Biology and Chemistry. Planned and taught NGSS aligned lessons; taught academic vocabulary; facilitated academic discussion; differentiated lessons for a variety of learners; made instructional decisions based on data; used classroom management techniques to maximize student learning time.

Oakland, California, Us

During this time period, my primary focus was family caregiving and my career was part time at most.

Sacramento, Ca, Us

Created a revamped Family Overnight Safari event plan focused on providing a fun family experience, organized logistical details, managed staff and volunteers, provided all programming, and acted as senior on-site staff during these events.Successfully collaborated with other departments, other nonprofits, and other Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions.

Sacramento, Ca, Us

During this time period, my primary focus was family caregiving and my career was part time at most.

Sacramento, Ca, Us

Successfully managed and systematically improved all on-site educational family programming, including summer camp, family overnight safaris, and preschool-age classes. Hired, trained, and supervised a year-round assistant, the summer camp staff of approximately 17, and a teen volunteer corps of 30 during the school year and 90 during the summer. Increased annual gross summer camp revenue by 40% through targeted program improvements based on guest feedback and creative marketing. Extensive scheduling, working with other departments and outside contractors, project management, budgeting, seeking and securing grant funding and partnerships, and consistent evaluation.Wrote curriculum and tour plans and presented biology and wildlife-themed classes and tours on zoology, ecology, conservation, animal husbandry/management, camouflage, predators and prey, mystery/forensic science, veterinary science, and more. Wrote copy and designed promotional materials for the web, social media, brochures, signage, and advertising. Designed several new successful programs including Little Ducklings (pre-k family classes), Zoo Teens volunteer corps, and revamped overnight safaris leading to substantial increases in enrollment. Focused targeted program design and marketing to encourage and support diverse audience engagement with the Zoo. For example the Zoo Teen program was supported with grant funding that I worked with a team to secure and allowed us to provide scholarships and uniforms to students in need to lower the barriers to entry.Created a revamped Family Overnight Safari event plan focused on providing a fun family experience, organized logistical details, managed staff and volunteers, provided all programming, and acted as senior on-site staff during these events.Successfully collaborated with other departments, other nonprofits, and other Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions.

Modesto, Ca, Us

Taught lesson plans provided by the classroom teacher; used classroom management techniques to encourage a productive learning environment; extended lessons with additional activities when necessary.

Modesto, Ca, Us

During this time period, my primary focus was family caregiving and my career was part time at most.

Varied fieldwork and data recording responsibilities. Trapped and tracked small mammals; conducted herpetological surveys. Conducted field and academic research and reported on the state of threatened and endangered species in State Parks in California’s central valley and the benefits/hazards of wildlife in the UC-Davis arboretum. Created wildlife management/enhancement plan. Performed avian transect and point count surveys to monitor biodiversity at multiple sites.Prepared/maintained zoological specimens. Extensive responsibilities with museum records management and specimen accessession/deaccession, and loans to researchers, students, and educational facilities. Monitored, maintained, and kept records for the Putah Creek Nestbox highway, a series of Western Bluebird nest boxes along the length of Putah Creek. Operated remote-sensor cameras for large mammal surveys.

Davis, California, Us

Research intern in the lab of Dr. Rick Grosberg and post-doc Dr. John Wares. Collected field marine invertebrate specimens. Conducted lab research including preparing specimens, using PCR analysis, and microscope skills. Project results published.Wares, J. P., Castaneda, A. E. 2005. Geographic range in Chthamalus along the west coast of North America. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 85:327–331.

Volunteer animal caretaker for injured and rehabilitated birds of prey. Cleaning, diet preparation, offering diets, assistance for veterinary procedures, and assistance with school group presentations.

As the weekend caretaker, I cared for the education animal collection which included invertebrates, reptiles, birds, and mammals. My responsibilities included: Cleaning all enclosures, preparing diets, providing species-appropriate enrichment opportunities, handling and exercising animals, presenting daily wildlife talks with education animals, caring for animal hygiene such as bathing and nail trimming, and assisting with veterinary procedures.

Volunteer support for birds in the wildlife rehabilitation center. Worked with a full range of California bird species. Cleaning enclosures, cleaning facilities, preparing diets, feeding, and assisting with veterinary procedures.

Master’S Degree, Curriculum And Instruction

B.S., Wildlife, Fish, And Conservation Biology Specializing In Marine Ecology