December 11, 1998

Courtney Vanderstek

Assistant Executive Director

Oregon Education Association

6900 SW Haines Street

Tigard, OR 97223

Dear Ms. Vanderstek,

I believe you will find me to be a tremendous asset and a valuable resource as a Consultant for the Center for Teaching and Learning.

At heart, I am a teacher. I have taught in both the public K-12 school system and at two and four year colleges and universities. I have taught students at a variety of ability levels, from gifted/honors, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, to those needing basic skills and remediation. My expertise includes the active practice of multiculturalism and mainstreaming principles in order to create a more student-centered and inclusive learning environment. In addition to instructing students for whom English is a second language, I am fully versed in the application of computer technology in education, including development of software solutions for class and student management, multimedia presentations for course content, and the Internet for research and communication.

The main emphasis of my master's degree in history was Immigration and Acculturation, Ethnic Groups and Nativism, and Race Relations in the United States. My studies were aided by earlier undergraduate work in Non-Western Cultures and Intercultural Socialization. I am also well-versed in the following subjects: American History; Women in American Society; the History of Latin America; History and Development of Islamic Thought; and Eastern European History. I believe that this diverse background is conducive to the multi-faceted nature of our educational profession. Whether it be the challenges of our student population or the interconnectedness of our education and work related spheres, an open mind, coupled with a worthwhile purpose should be the foundation upon which we build our system of education.

My involvement in education has extended beyond the classroom. It may interest you to know that I am a proven grant writer whose three year total earnings exceed $380,000. RSVP Tech™, Restructuring Social Science Via Progressive Technology, a $340,000 federal grant from the United States Department of Education, has been the most notable accomplishment of my career. The money benefited students directly by infusing computer technology into the curriculum, directly and positively impacting academic achievement. Throughout the program, I acted as liaison with the local, regional, and national media, as well as parent and community groups such as the PTA, Academic Boosters Club, and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. In addition to eliciting substantial positive press, the program earned a First Place Golden Bell Award, the highest honor any program in the California public school system can receive. Inevitably, public speaking opportunities became quite common, and I served as the program's diplomat/evangelist by making presentations for many public and private groups interested in the program's measured and statistically significant outcomes. Speaking before the Department of Education in Washington D.C., followed by a presentation for my high school alma matter, were perhaps the highlights of my public speaking career.

I am personally a product of and participant in the "learn by doing" philosophy, which is central to successful initial teacher training and continuing professional development. As a public school student, I participated in the Junior Achievement Program, developing and running a business in cooperation with others. In college, I was a Resident Advisor, serving on a team whose task was to develop and foster student life in the first dormitories ever constructed on the CSU Fullerton campus. My cooperative education experience in the Secondary Teaching Credential Program saw me learn the "trade" from several master teachers. Upon becoming a tenured, "veteran" teacher myself, I served as a master teacher for three student teachers of my own. Directing the RSVP Tech program opened doors for training opportunities for local school districts. At CSU Fullerton, I taught computer competency classes which were required for all public school teachers to receive their clear credentials. At LCC, in my position as Director of the Social Science Computer Lab, I have been an "employer" for Computer Information Technology students serving as lab aides. I have been intimately involved with the public education experience from all sides, believe wholeheartedly in its central philosophy, and hope to continue and grow in that capacity as consultant for the Center for Teaching and Learning.

My educational philosophy has been learned over the course of the last nine years. As a high school instructor, our school had five principals in six years. At LCC, I've had two division chairs in three years. I have experienced, first hand, the effects of both excellent and wanting leaders. Simply put, determine who your leading teachers are, and give them your utmost support, from removing obstacles to "staying out of the way", from advocacy with the administration to financial backing. I do not believe that the application of "blanket" solutions effectively meets the needs of individual teachers, schools, or districts. To facilitate success, a high level of organization is needed, and I have used my extensive computer abilities to provide appropriate, relevant, and timely information, whether via email, listservs, web-based forms, voicemail announcements, etc. Finally, putting the interests of the students first has always been my guiding principle and would remain so as consultant for the Center for Teaching and Learning.

As a student in the public school system, of the many different teachers who added to my education, I had two unique and entirely different teachers who inspired me to be my best. Now, as a teacher myself, I believe in doing whatever it takes to encourage students to think for themselves and learn how to learn. As a veteran teacher, I am fully aware of the need to temper idealistic aspirations with realistic and practical solutions. Regardless, nothing should be allowed to prevent a teacher from reaching the ultimate goal of facilitating student success. In the end, it is the students who are the most important part of the pubic education system; moreover, they are our product and our own measure of value as educators.

I would very much like to pursue these goals at the Oregon Education Association's Center for Teaching and Learning. I hope that you will find the above experience and achievements as impressive qualities in a potential employee.

Thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Joe Escobar

Applicant for Consultant for the Center for Teaching and Learning


JOSEPH G. ESCOBAR

3800 Bennett Creek Road

Cottage Grove, OR 97424

(541) 942-6983

escobarj@lanecc.edu

EDUCATION

January 1998 Master of Arts Degree in History

Emphasis in American Ethnic & Eastern European History

California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

September 1995 Teaching License, Basic Social Studies 020, State of Oregon

May 1989 Single Subject Credential in Social Science

California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

August 1988 Bachelor of Arts Degree in History

California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

January 1997 - Lane Community College, Eugene, OR

present Part-Time Social Science Instructor

Instructed students in United States History courses HST 201, 202, and 203 on both main campus and at the Cottage Grove campus. Instructed faculty and staff in SSC199J Research Methods, in the use of computer technology to enhance curriculum. Created first web-based class evaluation component for student use in the Social Science Department. Received outstanding student evaluations for classroom teaching performance.

October 1995 - Lane Community College, Eugene, OR

present Computer Support Specialist

Served as Coordinator of the Social Science Computer Lab. Assisted students and instructors in the use of computer technology to enhance curriculum and accomplish class objectives. Supervised a team of 10-20 student lab aides. Taught workshops on Microsoft Word and Excel for faculty and staff. Procured software and equipment to enhance course content and delivery of multimedia material in both the classroom and lab settings.

Spring 1993 - California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

June 1995 Adjunct Professor - EdSec 407

Instructed future educators in a course required to meet the state-mandated technology prerequisite for a clear teaching credential. Continued to work with course graduates as a professional reference and as a technology consultant to help them implement solutions at their own campuses.

January 1992 - Fullerton Joint Union High School District,

June 1995 Fullerton, CA

Grant Coordinator - RSVP Tech

"Restructuring Social Science Via Progressive Technology"

Wrote, received, and managed the project coordination of federal and private grants totaling more than $350,000. Program was directed at improving academic performance of average students of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Program success was statistically proven in inter-district study, and received the California Golden Bell in 1995, the highest honor awarded to academic programs in the state.

September 1989 - Fullerton Joint Union High School District,

June 1995 Fullerton, CA

Teacher - Fullerton High School, Social Science Department

Instructed over 175 students each year in social science classes, including United States and World History. Student ability levels ranged from gifted/honors, including advanced placement courses for which college credit was awarded, to those needing basic skills and remediation. School location near local barrio helped to create a diverse student population which was greater than 65% minority.

HONORS AND AWARDS

1994-1995 California Golden Bell First Place Award, California School Board Association, San Diego, CA

Teacher of the Year, Parent Teacher Association, Fullerton Union High School, Fullerton, CA

Presenter, Technology in Social Science Education, Huntington Beach Union High School District Inservice, Orange Coast College

Educator of the Year Nominee, California League of High Schools - Region 9

Nomination and Acceptance into Who's Who Among America's Teachers

1993-1994 Consultant, Apple Consulting Educator (ACE) Program, Apple Computer, Inc. Cupertino, CA

Educational Partnership Award, Orange County Department of Education and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce

1992-1993 Presenter, Restructuring Social Science Via Progressive Technology, Fund for the Improvement and Restructuring of Schools and Teaching, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Program Review, OERI Bulletin, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Mentor Teacher, Fullerton Joint Union High School District

Distinguished Service Award, Fullerton Union High School

1991-1992 Presenter, History & The California State Framework, Inland Area Social Science Project, UC Riverside

1990-1991 Keynote Speaker, Top 25 Award Banquet, Esperanza High School

1989-1990 Presenter, Innovative Social Science Teaching Methods, Course for Student Teachers, CSU Fullerton

1988-1989 Outstanding Social Science Student Teacher of the Year, CSU Fullerton

Outstanding Social Science Student Teacher of the Year, Southern California Social Science Association

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Cultural Diversity Institute, Chemeketa Community College, Salem, OR

Technology in Community College Education, Portland Community College, Portland, OR

Teaching Vietnam Seminar, California State University, Long Beach, CA

Teaching World View Seminar, Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, CA

International Baccalaureate Conference, Anaheim, CA and Miami, FL

MTTI English as a Second Language Conference, Garden Grove, CA

Rowland Clinical Training Workshop, Rowland Heights, CA

Social Science Honors Day, California State University, Long Beach, CA

Inland Area History Social Science Project, University of California, Riverside, CA

MacWorld Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA 1992-97

CUE Conference, San Jose, CA

Master Teacher for three student teachers from CSUF, Fullerton, CA

SPECIAL SKILLS

Computer literate in both Macintosh and Windows platforms, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, networking, and programming. Knowledge and proficiency in Internet research, website management, and technology-based education. Spanish proficiency to teach math.PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Garry Oldham

LCC Instructor

Former Department Chair

Social Science Department

Lane Community College

4000 East 30th Avenue

Eugene, OR 97405

541 747-4501

Pat Putnam

Assistant Principal

(Retired)

Fullerton Union High School

201 East Chapman Avenue

Fullerton, CA 92632

714 529-8841

Bill Nelson

Recreational Leadership Instructor

Regional Occupations Program

Acacia Job Training Satellite

301 South Acacia

Fullerton, CA 92631

714 870-0930

Mark Henderson

Social Science Teacher

Former Department Head

Director - RSVP Tech

Fullerton Union High School

201 East Chapman Avenue

Fullerton, CA 92632

714 870-3701

Don Strahan

Director - LCC Cottage Grove

Lane Community College

1275 South River Road

Cottage Grove, OR 97424-0004

541 942-4202