Laura Prez-Bernal

3417 S. Electric St.

Detroit, MI 48217
Home: 313-285-6232
lauracitlaliperez@gmail.com
Innovative, Reflective, and Committed to Diversity
Professional
Objective

To obtain a position as a Secondary English and/or Social Studies teacher and apply my skills in placebased, art-infused, and student-centered teaching to create a positive learning environment.

Education

Wayne State University

August 15, 2014
Bachelor of the Arts in Secondary Education with a focus in Social Studies and English.

Professional
Experience

Matrix Theatre Company

Detroit, MI
Inclusion Outreach Coordinator and Teaching Artist

Sept. 2011 August 2014

Provided support and accommodations for program youth with disabilities.

Developed and implemented inclusion information packages, communications, enrollment, and
other participant communication or correspondence materials that suit the needs of diverse learners.
Facilitated trainings in the David P. Weikart Youth Worker Methods, the Matrix Way teaching
method, and the VSA-MI Universal Design for Learners methods for teaching artist in the Metro
Detroit area.
Taught acting, environmental, playwriting, and puppetry classes.
Collaborated with local organizations to develop opportunities for youth between the ages of 5 and
18.
Co-Directed and taught the Matrix Teen Company program.
Created assessment tools (rubrics and surveys) to measure student growth in self-efficacy and
academic efficacy.
Created an Adaptive Techniques Handbook for teaching theatre to students with disabilities.
Taught and facilitated arts-infused theatre classes in social studies and English classrooms
throughout Detroit (Harms Elementary, Cody-Detroit Institute of Technology, Neinas Elementary.).

Education Coordinator and Teaching Artist

June 2008 August 2014

Sept. 2009 Sept. 2011

Developed, implemented, and promoted Matrixs educational programming, on site and off site (i.e.
after-school, youth voice, and art-infused programs).

Volunteer Coord./Puppetry Ass. (Americorps)

Sept. 2008 Sept. 2009

Provided support for Matrix volunteers while volunteering in the community as an AmeriCorps
member.
Assisted puppetry department in creation of puppets and facilitation/supervision of puppetry classes
offered for youth and adults.
Founded an acting and playwriting program, the Matrix Teen Company, for youth between the ages
of 14 and 18.
Theatre Intern

June 2008 September 2008

Coordinated and directed theatrical plays.

Made props, costumes, and/or puppets for youth and adult productions.
Assistant taught a theatre summer camp for youth between the ages of 8 and 14.

Laura Prez

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Professional
Activities
University Partners Detroit Student Leadership
Detroit, MI
Wayne State University Student Representative

October 2013 June 2014

Strengthened leadership skills that can be used in the workforce (i.e. communication, organization,
diversity competence, etc.)
Analyzed data about regional issues in the metro Detroit area.
Mentored by Leadership Detroit alumni, Maria Salinas (Congress of Communities).
Service Learning
Cody Medicine and Community Health Academy
Detroit, MI
Student Teaching

Teaching U.S. History to all 9th grade classes in Cody MCH Academy.

Kosciuszko Middle School

Hamtramck, MI
Pre-Student Teaching

January 12, 2015 Present

September December 2014

Taught lessons in Advanced Social Studies and English for 7th and 8th grade classes.
Used the I-Lit program to help low-performing students improve their reading and writing skills.

Northwestern High School

Detroit, MI
Teaching Assistant

Created mini-lesson in English, Social Studies, Science and French classrooms.

Tutored Northwestern High School students in English and Social Studies.
Assisted school administrators with preparation for in-school assessment tests.

SER Metro Youth of Promise Leadership Program

Detroit, MI
College Prep Leader

Certifications

January April 2012

September December 2011

Led a college preparation program for youth between the ages of 14 and 18.
Mentored SER Metro youth regarding financial aid, scholarships, and College Readiness.

MTTC English

Passed on: December 17, 2014

Reliable Assessor for the Youth PQA

Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality
MTTC Basic Skills Test

Special Skills

Advanced Catechist Certification (Pre K- 8)

Archdiocese of Detroit

July 2013 July 2014

Passed on: April 14, 2012
Received on: September 10, 2007

Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Proficient in writing, reading, and speaking Spanish.
Experience in directing and coordinating youth theatrical plays.
Able to coordinate, plan, and facilitate youth worker trainings.

References are available upon request.