MY EXPERIENCE
August 2023 - November 2023
INTERN, ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
April 2023 - July 2023
SPECIAL PROJECT RESEARCH ASSISTANT, BYU-HAWAII
I helped administer the WIDA test at the start of the school year, then provided support for English learners in grades 8-10 by attending their core classes with them and scaffolding class assignments and activities to meet them where they were at. I collaborated with these students' core teachers in order to evaluate student progress and to provide differentiated assignments according to their individual needs.
May 2017- August 2019
SWIM LESSON TEACHER, BEARFOOT
I taught group lessons with children as young as 3 as well private lessons with both children and adults. This opportunity helped me develop patience and an open, adaptable mindset as I would adjust my lessons and teaching styles to fit my students' needs and find ways to soothe their fears or discomfort in the water.
I worked closely with 2 TESOL professionals who currently teach EIL classes at BYU-Hawaii in order to conduct 3 research projects concerning the use of Generative Artificial Intelligences (ChatGPT, Bard, etc.) and how they can be used advantageously in our field. We published an article to the TESOL Journal on our findings and later presented those findings at the Thai TESOL Conference.
January 2019- December 2019
REFEREE, SEASIDER SPORTS
Working as a referee gave me a thick skin. I learned here how to remain impartial and make fair, split-second decisions. I learned how to manage players, coaches, and spectators in a way that everyone is safe and can enjoy the event. This job taught me to stick to my word and hold up under pressure.
August 2021- Present
WRANGLER/ SUPERVISOR, GUNSTOCK RANCH
I learned how to work really hard and be efficient as I made sure that guests had a safe and enjoyable horseback or UTV ride in Hawaii. It was necessary to solve problems on the fly as I cared for the horses and helped visitors overcome their fears. I learned great communication skills both with guests and with my coworkers while at this job.
October 2015 - December 2017
SEASONAL SALES ASSOCIATE, SEE'S CANDIES
I learned exceptional customer service skills and how to create an atmosphere that could calm frantic holiday shoppers. I had to be able to memorize all of our different pieces and profile customers to match them up with the delicacy that would bring them the most enjoyment.
March 2017 - August 2018
SALES ASSOCIATE, ANDY'S FROZEN CUSTARD
This fast-paced work environment had me always on my toes and allowed me to develop the ability to stay focused in hectic situations. Sometimes facing ingredient shortages, I was able to think fast on my feet and come up with solutions that resulted in ultimate customer satisfaction.
May 2017 - August 2019
LIFEGUARD MANAGER, BEARFOOT
I had the task of ensuring the lifeguards at my pool were consistently fulfilling our purpose of providing protection and care. I developed problem solving skills and was able to work out issues between patrons as well as employees. In situations involving physical safety, I kept a straight head and provided the necessary care. This job helped me develop leadership skills that I have been able to utilize in everyday life.
SKILLS
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
In More Aspects Than One
Organizing a team of 12 high schoolers to run 200 miles over the course of 2 days is no small task. As manager and captain of my Ragnar team, I worked hard to recruit team members, organize times and dates, complete necessary paperwork, and manage our finances for car and hotel rentals, food, and gas. This experience taught me the importance of delegation and perseverance.
BULGARIAN FLUENCY
International Communications
I served an 18 month long mission in Bulgaria and Central Eurasia. I communicated daily with the people I worked with and the people that I taught and served in the Bulgarian language. I was able to experience their beautiful culture first hand. These 18 months have allowed me to expand my thinking to the way other people and societies function.
PATIENCE
Experience Teaching All Age Groups
I have experience teaching swim lessons, Sunday school classes, First Aid and CPR courses, as a math tutor, and in free English classes in Bulgaria. Teaching required me to learn how to be patient with myself and with my students, as well as adapt my teaching to their various learning methods, adopting different strategies along the way.
HARD WORKING
Optimism & Perseverence
Pushing myself to complete something like a marathon strengthened my resolve and self-discipline more than I thought. Through this experience I learned how to grit my teeth and push my limits even when it felt impossible. By doing this, I would sometimes surprise myself by what I could do once I escaped my comfort zone. I have seen these principles translate to other aspects of my life as well.
DIGITAL LITERACY
Remote Learning Tools
I am experienced with remote learning tools like Google Classroom, Bitmoji Classroom, Pear Deck, and WhizRead. I am efficient in Microsoft Office and have taken several computer science classes that have helped me get familiar with different languages like Python and Java on a very basic level.
TEAMWORK
Cooperation
I have been fortunate to work with some incredible people in my various job titles. I have learned a lot about how 2 entirely different people can come together with a common goal and lift and complement one another to achieve something. Of course, when conflicting opinions have arisen, I have learned how to compromise and find solutions in a way that leaves both individuals satisfied.
CONFERENCES
International TESOL Convention 2023
Portland, Oregon
Thai TESOL 2024
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The theme of this conference was "Glocal Sustainability". The word 'glocal' is meant to show the connection to both worldwide and local relevance in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
I presented as well as led a workshop with two of my professors on the research we had conducted over previous semesters on the use of Artificial Intelligence in TESOL.
It was a great opportunity to connect with other professionals who shared interest in this topic as well as hear from others about the research they have conducted.
PUBLICATIONS
Carlson, M., Pack, A., & Juan Carlos Escalante. (2023). Utilizing OpenAI’s GPT‐4 for written feedback. TESOL Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.759
PROJECTS
FOOD STORAGE
We had just moved to Texas and tornado season was coming around the corner fast. Both of my parents had never lived anywhere that is in danger of their house being torn out of the ground by 300 miles per hour winds. They decided that our family of eight needed to have a hefty food storage on hand that would take care of us in case of natural disaster, unemployment, or any other unforeseen event. I decided to take this project upon myself.
I spent a total of 19 hours researching what we would need, taking inventory of what we already had, and gathering what we did not. I designed a system for keeping track of and replenishing used items. My mother and I sat down and figured out where to go to get the best deals, I dabbled in couponing a bit, and was finally able to round up the necessary goods that could feed our family for 10 months.
Fortunately, we have not needed to go for that long living off of canned and boxed food yet, but we are prepared if that day does come. This project taught me a lot about self reliance and other common needs, but more importantly, it taught me how to be organized, how to stick to a task- even when I realized halfway through that I had bitten off a lot to chew-, and the importance of preparation.
POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER MARKETING PLAN
The Polynesian Cultural Center is looking for new ways to attract their target market, the Millennial avid adventurer, specifically by spreading awareness of their cause: the International Work program that allows students from all over the world afford a good education and open up career opportunities for them.
My team and I have been analyzing market research done on our target market and the PCC's current marketing strategies to come up with an implementable plan that will raise awareness and revenues that will ultimately contribute to this program.
Our solution involves selling additional products around the PCC that follow our mantra of made "by the students, for the students". We also will update the official website so that it includes more details on where each customer's money is going when they buy a ticket as well as more opportunities to donate. Through other mediums including social media and physical brochures that include bios of the student workers, we will create a more personal experience for each visitor that will cause them to want to do all that they can to help.
Once our plan is implemented, I believe that that Polynesian Cultural Center will see a significant rise in donations and ticket sales alike.