Jill E. Thomas Email & Phone Number

Oakland, California, United States

Oakland, California

The Director of Curriculum and Programs works closely with the Executive Director to create and facilitate our main programs in our partner schools. The Director of Curriculum and Programs supports and trains Mindful Support Specialists who are the face of our program and play an essential role in the resilience and retention of our teachers at our partner.

Write blog posts for the nationally recognized magazine Teaching Tolerance on the topic of anti-racist, anti-biased education. Research content for article titled "Two Decades of Teaching Tolerance," which chronicled milestones and set backs in anti-biased education and law.

Berkeley, California

Presented workshop on using documentary poetry to address social injustices to teachers in West Contra Costa Unified School District. Work grounded in curriculum that uses Anna Deavere Smith's one-woman play called "Twilight Los Angeles" and LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman's "Our America."

Oakland, California

As a faculty member in the Intern Program, I supported a cohort of Oakland Unified School District teachers, approximately half of whom worked with Newcomer students. I designed and facilitated learning experiences for the cohort. I also provided field supervision and coaching in the form of on-site observations and debriefs, online support, and regular.

Oakland

• Differentiate support for 13 middle schools to successfully implement TGDS.
• Coach principals and teacher leaders to transform observation and feedback practices
• Design and lead Professional Learning sessions at school sites and centrally to deepen the understanding of the Oakland Effective Teaching Framework

Life Academy Of Health And Bioscience

During the last eight years at Life Academy, I taught ninth grade English through the lens of social justice to meet the diverse needs of my students, most of whom speak English as a second language and are reluctant and/or struggling readers and writers. --Designed critical pedagogy around the works of Sherman Alexie, Anna Deavere Smith, Harper Lee, and.

Graduate School Of Education

• Designed and taught advanced practicum covering a range of topics from “Culturally Responsive Teaching” to “Establishing Work-Life Balance.”
• Supported 12 first-year teachers in their classroom practice by observing their teaching, documenting it through selective scripting, and having a learning-focused conversation.
• Collaborated with the MUSE Faculty Advisor, Jabari Mahiri, to ensure that students’ inquiry projects were integral to their teaching practice.

Oakland, CA

Met at least once a week with two new teachers to offer support and feedback on teaching practice by providing models, curriculum, and support. Helped beginning teachers navigate the process of "clearing" a teaching credential.

Mentored a student teacher for the academic school year. Practiced a graduated responsibility model so he gained more and more experience along with confidence. Met daily to explain curriculum design and myriad classroom decisions.

MUSE

Mentored a student teacher for the Spring Semester, preparing her to become a classroom teacher. Practiced a graduated responsibility model so she could gain more and more experience along with confidence. Met daily with student teacher to make explicit curriculum design and myriad classroom decisions.

University Of California, Berkeley

Designed and taught a six-week writing course for "academically talented" middle school students on the UC Berkeley campus. Created individualized writing plans and conducted writing conferences for each student. Pushed every student to excel at writing and move beyond their current strengths.

Sacramento, California Area

University Of California, Davis

Madrid, Spain

Sacramento, California

Yosemite National Park

Celta (Certificate Of English Language Teaching To Adults)

Ba, English & Anthropology, Magna Cum Laude

Ma, Urban Education