Christopher Drajem
High School English Teacher at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Susie Burdick
Christopher and I worked together at Bainbridge Performing Arts where his work was vital, central to the organization's success and always top quality. Not only was he able to vision but he had an attention to detail and successful follow through so you always knew you could count on him. Christopher's interpersonal skills with staff, visiting artists, volunteers and the community were exceptional and he was a well-loved and respected colleague. He is someone you can trust and who inspires others to greater levels of contribution. I especially enjoyed his positive and supportive nature with the children in the productions.
Danielle Hermeler
I highly recommend Christopher! Christopher and his co-trainer Lisa customized workshops for Amara’s social work team and, separately, for our LGBT adoptive families. They continue to facilitate our LGBT family workshops and, in fact, are the only outside trainers we have welcomed as part of our standard family training roster. Christopher’s style is both warm and professional; he blends research, practice wisdom, and personal experience for a more engaging presentation. He is highly inclusive. Christopher has better equipped Amara to serve our LGBT families, and our LGBT families are better prepared to embrace parenting as same-sex couples – a thoroughly successful outcome.
Susie Burdick
Christopher and I worked together at Bainbridge Performing Arts where his work was vital, central to the organization's success and always top quality. Not only was he able to vision but he had an attention to detail and successful follow through so you always knew you could count on him. Christopher's interpersonal skills with staff, visiting artists, volunteers and the community were exceptional and he was a well-loved and respected colleague. He is someone you can trust and who inspires others to greater levels of contribution. I especially enjoyed his positive and supportive nature with the children in the productions.
Danielle Hermeler
I highly recommend Christopher! Christopher and his co-trainer Lisa customized workshops for Amara’s social work team and, separately, for our LGBT adoptive families. They continue to facilitate our LGBT family workshops and, in fact, are the only outside trainers we have welcomed as part of our standard family training roster. Christopher’s style is both warm and professional; he blends research, practice wisdom, and personal experience for a more engaging presentation. He is highly inclusive. Christopher has better equipped Amara to serve our LGBT families, and our LGBT families are better prepared to embrace parenting as same-sex couples – a thoroughly successful outcome.
Susie Burdick
Christopher and I worked together at Bainbridge Performing Arts where his work was vital, central to the organization's success and always top quality. Not only was he able to vision but he had an attention to detail and successful follow through so you always knew you could count on him. Christopher's interpersonal skills with staff, visiting artists, volunteers and the community were exceptional and he was a well-loved and respected colleague. He is someone you can trust and who inspires others to greater levels of contribution. I especially enjoyed his positive and supportive nature with the children in the productions.
Danielle Hermeler
I highly recommend Christopher! Christopher and his co-trainer Lisa customized workshops for Amara’s social work team and, separately, for our LGBT adoptive families. They continue to facilitate our LGBT family workshops and, in fact, are the only outside trainers we have welcomed as part of our standard family training roster. Christopher’s style is both warm and professional; he blends research, practice wisdom, and personal experience for a more engaging presentation. He is highly inclusive. Christopher has better equipped Amara to serve our LGBT families, and our LGBT families are better prepared to embrace parenting as same-sex couples – a thoroughly successful outcome.
Susie Burdick
Christopher and I worked together at Bainbridge Performing Arts where his work was vital, central to the organization's success and always top quality. Not only was he able to vision but he had an attention to detail and successful follow through so you always knew you could count on him. Christopher's interpersonal skills with staff, visiting artists, volunteers and the community were exceptional and he was a well-loved and respected colleague. He is someone you can trust and who inspires others to greater levels of contribution. I especially enjoyed his positive and supportive nature with the children in the productions.
Danielle Hermeler
I highly recommend Christopher! Christopher and his co-trainer Lisa customized workshops for Amara’s social work team and, separately, for our LGBT adoptive families. They continue to facilitate our LGBT family workshops and, in fact, are the only outside trainers we have welcomed as part of our standard family training roster. Christopher’s style is both warm and professional; he blends research, practice wisdom, and personal experience for a more engaging presentation. He is highly inclusive. Christopher has better equipped Amara to serve our LGBT families, and our LGBT families are better prepared to embrace parenting as same-sex couples – a thoroughly successful outcome.
Experience
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Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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High School English Teacher
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Aug 2023 - Present
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Philadelphia Futures
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Educator
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Jun 2022 - Present
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University of Pennsylvania
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Coach Liaison—Graduate School of Education
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Sep 2020 - Jun 2021
Supported a student teaching apprentice using a variety of coaching strategies to gauge performance and provide actionable feedback for development. Coach activities included: • observation/ coaching of enactments of practice; • 1:1 weekly meetings; triad reflection and feedback meetings with classroom mentor teacher; • written documentation/ correspondence Attended monthly coach professional development sessions. Supported a student teaching apprentice using a variety of coaching strategies to gauge performance and provide actionable feedback for development. Coach activities included: • observation/ coaching of enactments of practice; • 1:1 weekly meetings; triad reflection and feedback meetings with classroom mentor teacher; • written documentation/ correspondence Attended monthly coach professional development sessions.
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University of Washington
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Teaching Associate
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Sep 2020 - Dec 2020
Faculty member, University of Washington College of Education, Secondary Teacher Education Program. Lead instructor of the Assessment in Secondary Education course for the Language Arts cohort of student teachers in the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Provided multiple, diverse opportunities for teaching candidates to experience, experiment with, and apply assessment practices focusing on equitable teaching. Instruction was provided in a completely remote synchronous and asynchronous format. Show less
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Bellevue School District
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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700 & Above Employee
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English Teacher
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2007 - Jun 2020
• Creation and delivery of language arts curriculum for 9th through 12th grade students including both core classes and electives (creative writing, speech & debate) • Co-teacher of 11th grade inclusion model for language arts; collaboration over four years (2016-current) with special education teacher to plan, implement, and assess instruction • Developed and taught a new English course for 12th grade advanced learning students which met requirements for College in the High School a dual-credit concurrent enrollment program • Lead district-wide collaboration to create, revise, and effectively implement common curriculum as team lead for 11th grade American Literature & Composition course • Collaboration with district team to design & revise curriculum and calibrate essays • Manage and address member concerns and collaborate with building administration to problem-solve union issues as a Bellevue Education Association building representative • Faculty mentor for a student teaching candidate from the University of Washington • Faculty adviser for the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) student club Show less
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Trainer
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2008 - 2018
Offering training and consulting on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) issues for schools, educators, and social service organizations who serve LGBTQ+ individuals and families. • Developed and co-facilitator of training for staff of Amara Adoption and Parenting Services related to outreach to and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) population • Developed and co-facilitator of training for LGBTQ+ parents and working with Amara • Developed and co-facilitator of training for teacher certification candidates at University of Washington College of Education around LGBQTQ+ inclusion and anti-bullying/anti-harassment • Co-facilitator of training for Seattle Schools staff around LGBTQ+ inclusion and safe schools Show less
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Seattle Public Schools
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United States
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Education Administration Programs
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700 & Above Employee
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Humanities Teacher & Arts Integration Coordinator
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Aug 2001 - Jun 2007
• Created integrated language arts and social studies curriculum as member of a small team • Designed scope and sequence of the four year Humanities program • Developed school mission/vision, policies, budget, and graduation requirements with staff • Led school-wide initiative to integrate visual arts across all disciplines • Developed curriculum and delivered instruction for drama courses • Mentored 20 students annually through the school advisory program • Coached a Critical Friends Group focusing on teacher practice and pedagogy • Participated in district-wide literacy initiative • Founded and facilitated the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Show less
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Seattle Children's Theatre
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United States
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Performing Arts
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1 - 100 Employee
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Theatre Teaching Artist
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1998 - 2001
Teaching Artist & Collaborator • Franklin High School • Developed and implemented an integrated oral history and dramatic performance curriculum for a 12th grade Honors class focused on personal identity and community connections. • Received a grant from the Franklin Foundation to revise and implement project for 9th grade. Drama in Education Instructor • Seattle Children’s Theatre • Coordinated integrated arts course for pre-service elementary education teachers at UW. • Developed curriculum and served as lead instructor for the drama portion of the class. • Replicated the drama portion for pre-service teachers at Pacific Lutheran University. Teaching Artist • Seattle Repertory Theatre • Developed curriculum and provided instruction for two-week and semester-long drama residencies at NOVA Alternative High School, Cleveland High School, Eastlake High School, and Hamilton Middle School. • Co-directed students in culminating performance during the residency at NOVA. • Collaborated with classroom teachers and other teaching artists on curriculum development. Teaching Artist • Freehold Youth Programs • 1998 – 1999 • Developed curriculum and provided instruction for integrated drama and history residencies. • Collaborated with classroom teachers and supervised teaching assistants. • Directed students in the final performance. Show less
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Bainbridge Performing Arts
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United States
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Performing Arts
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1 - 100 Employee
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Production Manager
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1995 - 1997
• Created and managed production schedule for two seasons of a community theatre. • Hired and supervised paid and volunteer directors, designers, and crew. • Coordinated production teams of up to 30 directors, designers, and crew members. • Responsible for tracking budgets, supervising volunteers, and facilitating meetings. • Created and managed production schedule for two seasons of a community theatre. • Hired and supervised paid and volunteer directors, designers, and crew. • Coordinated production teams of up to 30 directors, designers, and crew members. • Responsible for tracking budgets, supervising volunteers, and facilitating meetings.
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Education
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1999 - 2001
Antioch University Seattle
MA, Education -
2007 - 2007
University of Washington
Professional Teaching Certification, Education -
1986 - 1990
John Carroll University
BA, English
Community
