Ben Elmakias
Teacher at Shanghai American School- Claim this Profile
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Chinese Full professional proficiency
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish Elementary proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Rania Huntington
Ben Elmakias was an outstanding student in Classical Chinese, a challenging subject even for native speakers of the modern language. He studied with me for three semesters, two in a regularly offered class and the third semester in a small independent study group of 3. He excelled at both the mastering the structures of the language and the cultural connotations of the texts we discussed. He is particularly interested in poetry, and for one of his final projects composed original works. His other final projects were translations of strange tales, both graceful and accurate. Beyond his work in my class, he was singled out for a significant undergraduate award in the Chinese major. He has spent a considerable amount of time in China after graduation, and I am confident that both his language skills and cultural knowledge have improved over an already accomplished level.
Rania Huntington
Ben Elmakias was an outstanding student in Classical Chinese, a challenging subject even for native speakers of the modern language. He studied with me for three semesters, two in a regularly offered class and the third semester in a small independent study group of 3. He excelled at both the mastering the structures of the language and the cultural connotations of the texts we discussed. He is particularly interested in poetry, and for one of his final projects composed original works. His other final projects were translations of strange tales, both graceful and accurate. Beyond his work in my class, he was singled out for a significant undergraduate award in the Chinese major. He has spent a considerable amount of time in China after graduation, and I am confident that both his language skills and cultural knowledge have improved over an already accomplished level.
Rania Huntington
Ben Elmakias was an outstanding student in Classical Chinese, a challenging subject even for native speakers of the modern language. He studied with me for three semesters, two in a regularly offered class and the third semester in a small independent study group of 3. He excelled at both the mastering the structures of the language and the cultural connotations of the texts we discussed. He is particularly interested in poetry, and for one of his final projects composed original works. His other final projects were translations of strange tales, both graceful and accurate. Beyond his work in my class, he was singled out for a significant undergraduate award in the Chinese major. He has spent a considerable amount of time in China after graduation, and I am confident that both his language skills and cultural knowledge have improved over an already accomplished level.
Rania Huntington
Ben Elmakias was an outstanding student in Classical Chinese, a challenging subject even for native speakers of the modern language. He studied with me for three semesters, two in a regularly offered class and the third semester in a small independent study group of 3. He excelled at both the mastering the structures of the language and the cultural connotations of the texts we discussed. He is particularly interested in poetry, and for one of his final projects composed original works. His other final projects were translations of strange tales, both graceful and accurate. Beyond his work in my class, he was singled out for a significant undergraduate award in the Chinese major. He has spent a considerable amount of time in China after graduation, and I am confident that both his language skills and cultural knowledge have improved over an already accomplished level.
Credentials
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IB Language A (English) Language and Literature Category 1
International BaccalaureateSep, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
Harvard Visible Thinking Certificate (IB Category 3)
Harvard University Graduate School of EducationJun, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
TEFL and Cross-culture Communication Certificate
Peace CorpsJun, 2017- Oct, 2024 -
TEFL/TESL Certificate (130 In-Class hours)
San Diego State UniversityFeb, 2015- Oct, 2024 -
汉语水平考试六级 (Test for Chinese Language Proficiency Level 6) - 248/300
HanbanMay, 2019- Oct, 2024
Experience
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Shanghai American School
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China
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Education Administration Programs
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400 - 500 Employee
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Teacher
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Jul 2020 - Present
• Taught HS Common Core English, IB English, EAL Support, and Mandarin Chinese • Collaborated with grade 10 English teachers in a PLC to research, design, and implement creatively challenging assessments according to the UbD framework • Assisted with running and organizing SAS’s student-led MUN team, including hosting a fully online MUN and MUN workshop for students new to MUN • Coordinated with distance learning students and teachers to ensure a parallel, consistent, and equitable experience for all students on and off campus • Fostered student-to-student connections through peer support groups to ensure every student had at least one teacher and one student they trusted • Volunteered to long-term substitute for co-workers as needed, teaching on multiple campuses and departments simultaneously Show less
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Fudan International School
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1 - 100 Employee
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Assistant Dean Of Student Affairs
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Aug 2019 - Jul 2020
• Organized all student activities in coordination with various student organizations including sports day, Halloween fair, graduation ceremony, etc.• Designed and implemented Homeroom/Mentor co-leadership system to better support individual students’ academic and emotional wellbeing needs• Researched, drafted, revised based on community input, and implemented school’s Child Protection Policy on the basis of international and local standards• Revised the student handbook including the behavioral policy, cell phone policy, leave request procedures, and student behavioral tracking system• Developed systems and procedures to ensure Student Handbook policies were fairly and consistently implemented.• Communicated professionally with Chinese-speaking staff and parents in Chinese• Supported student’s mental health needs, meeting regularly with at-risk students Show less
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English Language and Literature Teacher
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Feb 2019 - Jul 2020
• Taught middle school and high school English literature, Advanced ESL, and IB MYP and DP.• Taught 20 course hours or 11 preps per week.• Designed yearly, unit, and daily lesson plans under the guidance of the Head of the English Department in accordance with US Common Core, IB MYP, and IB DP requirements.• Maintained active communication with parents of students; successfully cooperated with parents through SchoolPal and DingTalk to increase at-risk student's in-class engagement.
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Student Services Intern and Cultural Excursion Guide
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Mar 2018 - Jun 2019
• Planned and led weekly “Chinese Moment” activities exploring the cultural side and student perspective of language learning • Cooperated with full-time teaching staff to review and modify Chinese Moment lesson plans to best compliment student’s in-class work • Oversaw and guided students on more than 30 cultural excursions; explained historical significance and cultural context while also incorporating relevant Chinese vocabulary • Updated course syllabi to adhere to CIEE Global's standards • Assisted students in resolving day-to-day problems such as mailing packages, passport problems, and culture shock Show less
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East China Normal University
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China
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Higher Education
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500 - 600 Employee
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Visiting Lecturer
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Feb 2019 - Mar 2019
• Independently designed, planned, and taught 15 classes over five weeks to a group of over 100 Confucius Institute Chinese teachers on how to discuss Chinese culture in English in an international environment. • Incorporated teaching methodology and critical thinking skills into all class activities to compliment previous English language instruction while also preparing students for their first teaching job. • Introduced Cross-culture communication techniques and how to teach culture-centric language classes by modeling teaching techniques and explaining the theory behind classroom activities. Show less
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Peace Corps
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United States
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International Affairs
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700 & Above Employee
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Peace Corps Education Volunteer
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Jun 2015 - Jul 2017
• Developed and taught Oral English to over 500 students in large, multi-level classrooms • Trained 187 elementary, middle, and high school English teachers in Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) methods over two weeks and 50 hours of class time • Elected to the Volunteer Advisory Committee to facilitate communication between volunteers and administration and represent volunteer interests • Invited as a founding member of Chinese Language Committee; established direction of committee through writing charter and setting goals, created self-study syllabi • Communicated, primarily in Chinese, in a professional, academic environment for the duration of service Show less
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Wisconsin Union Directorate Publications Committee
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United States
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Book and Periodical Publishing
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Editor-in-Chief of UW Flash Fiction
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Aug 2013 - Jun 2014
As Editor-in-Chief, I managed UW Flash Fiction which publishes "Poetry and Prose in under 1000 words" online. • Directed UWFF meetings in a welcome and inclusive manner • Delegated responsibilities while encouraging members to reach goals and complete projects • Increased social media presence and campus outreach resulting in 300% increase of Facebook group members and 10-fold increase in weekly submissions • Organized and hosted cross-organization events for audiences of more than 300 people Show less
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DoubleTree by Hilton
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Hospitality
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100 - 200 Employee
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Bell Staff
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Dec 2012 - Dec 2013
• Instilled positive first and last impressions with customers through professionalism and understanding every individual guest’s preferences and traveling circumstances • Cooperated with the front desk to provide prompt room and shuttle services • Instilled positive first and last impressions with customers through professionalism and understanding every individual guest’s preferences and traveling circumstances • Cooperated with the front desk to provide prompt room and shuttle services
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Nankai University
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China
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Mandarin Language Intensive
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Jun 2013 - Aug 2013
• Studied in intensive-language program, learned 1,000 new words and phrases by covering three semesters of material in 11 weeks; received all A's • Placed third on all-student vocabulary test at end of the program • Engaged daily in English and Chinese with Chinese peers, teachers, and community members and received deeper understanding of Chinese society • Studied in intensive-language program, learned 1,000 new words and phrases by covering three semesters of material in 11 weeks; received all A's • Placed third on all-student vocabulary test at end of the program • Engaged daily in English and Chinese with Chinese peers, teachers, and community members and received deeper understanding of Chinese society
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Toppers Pizza, Inc.
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United States
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Restaurants
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1 - 100 Employee
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Delivery Driver
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Aug 2011 - Jun 2012
• Provided consistent friendly service while answering phone calls, taking orders and delivering pizzas • Pro-actively cross-trained to help support Front of House during busy periods • Provided consistent friendly service while answering phone calls, taking orders and delivering pizzas • Pro-actively cross-trained to help support Front of House during busy periods
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Madison Computer Works Inc
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United States
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Computer Networking Products
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1 - 100 Employee
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Computer Technician and Sales Assistant
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May 2007 - Jan 2011
• Diagnosed and repaired hardware problems such as blue screens and cycle booting • Removed malware and junkware and optimized software to perform like-new • Established clear and realistic financial and turnaround time expectations with customers • Provided one-on-one instruction to customers for various software and hardware products • Diagnosed and repaired hardware problems such as blue screens and cycle booting • Removed malware and junkware and optimized software to perform like-new • Established clear and realistic financial and turnaround time expectations with customers • Provided one-on-one instruction to customers for various software and hardware products
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Ian's Pizza Madison
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United States
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Restaurants
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1 - 100 Employee
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Delivery Driver
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Nov 2009 - Oct 2010
• Provided consistent friendly service while answering phone calls, taking orders and delivering pizzas • Remained patient and helpful while assisting post-bar-close customers • Independently resolved customer complaints with appropriate compensation to ensure continued patronage • Provided consistent friendly service while answering phone calls, taking orders and delivering pizzas • Remained patient and helpful while assisting post-bar-close customers • Independently resolved customer complaints with appropriate compensation to ensure continued patronage
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Education
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2017 - 2019
East China Normal University
Master's Degree, International Chinese Education: Focus on vocabulary acquisition -
2012 - 2014
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Chinese Language and Literature and English Literature -
2009 - 2012
Madison Area Technical College
Community
