Elza Soares, Ph.D.
Project Manager, Research and Evaluation Associate, Instructional Designer. at Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church- Claim this Profile
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English Full professional proficiency
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Portuguese Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish Professional working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Andre Ramos
Elza is one of the most intelligent and professional person I have worked with. She has excellent communication skills, impressive psychology, philosophy of education and curriculum development knowledge, a continuous love of learning, and besides that, she is always available to help others. She is definitely THE professional I would choose to work with in new projects.
Lynne Eiaw-Neiderland
Elza is currently processing visas for Committee members for s upcoming meeting in February 2023. Elza did an excellent job to process visas when she worked at GCFA so when we had a need for this upcoming meeting, we are very appreciative that she agreed to process visas! Elza is thorough in her work which is so important because a single error could stop the process. Elza has a great work ethic and provides efficient solutions when needed. She is highly organized. Her proficiency to speak Portuguese and Spanish is a huge help to communicate with the foreign members too! Elza can do anything you ask her to do. She will Eva great asset to the company.
Andre Ramos
Elza is one of the most intelligent and professional person I have worked with. She has excellent communication skills, impressive psychology, philosophy of education and curriculum development knowledge, a continuous love of learning, and besides that, she is always available to help others. She is definitely THE professional I would choose to work with in new projects.
Lynne Eiaw-Neiderland
Elza is currently processing visas for Committee members for s upcoming meeting in February 2023. Elza did an excellent job to process visas when she worked at GCFA so when we had a need for this upcoming meeting, we are very appreciative that she agreed to process visas! Elza is thorough in her work which is so important because a single error could stop the process. Elza has a great work ethic and provides efficient solutions when needed. She is highly organized. Her proficiency to speak Portuguese and Spanish is a huge help to communicate with the foreign members too! Elza can do anything you ask her to do. She will Eva great asset to the company.
Andre Ramos
Elza is one of the most intelligent and professional person I have worked with. She has excellent communication skills, impressive psychology, philosophy of education and curriculum development knowledge, a continuous love of learning, and besides that, she is always available to help others. She is definitely THE professional I would choose to work with in new projects.
Lynne Eiaw-Neiderland
Elza is currently processing visas for Committee members for s upcoming meeting in February 2023. Elza did an excellent job to process visas when she worked at GCFA so when we had a need for this upcoming meeting, we are very appreciative that she agreed to process visas! Elza is thorough in her work which is so important because a single error could stop the process. Elza has a great work ethic and provides efficient solutions when needed. She is highly organized. Her proficiency to speak Portuguese and Spanish is a huge help to communicate with the foreign members too! Elza can do anything you ask her to do. She will Eva great asset to the company.
Andre Ramos
Elza is one of the most intelligent and professional person I have worked with. She has excellent communication skills, impressive psychology, philosophy of education and curriculum development knowledge, a continuous love of learning, and besides that, she is always available to help others. She is definitely THE professional I would choose to work with in new projects.
Lynne Eiaw-Neiderland
Elza is currently processing visas for Committee members for s upcoming meeting in February 2023. Elza did an excellent job to process visas when she worked at GCFA so when we had a need for this upcoming meeting, we are very appreciative that she agreed to process visas! Elza is thorough in her work which is so important because a single error could stop the process. Elza has a great work ethic and provides efficient solutions when needed. She is highly organized. Her proficiency to speak Portuguese and Spanish is a huge help to communicate with the foreign members too! Elza can do anything you ask her to do. She will Eva great asset to the company.
Credentials
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R.O.I.
R.O.I. InstituteJan, 2022- Sep, 2024 -
MANAGING LEARNING PROGRAMS CERTIFICATE
Association for Talent Development (ATD)Dec, 2021- Sep, 2024 -
ADULT LEARNING: ASSESSING LEARNING NEEDS
Association for Talent Development (ATD)Oct, 2020- Sep, 2024
Experience
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Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church
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United States
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Religious Institutions
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Manager, Research and Evaluation Associate, Instructional Designer.
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Jul 2019 - Present
I conduct summative evaluation for instructional programs across the organization, providing recommendations of sound instructional design improvements for existing programs. For new programs, I conduct user-centered needs analysis, make instructional design suggestions based on adult learning theories, best practices, quality assurance frameworks, and delivery methods that best apply to each project. As part of the research and evaluation processes, I also contribute user-centered insights for the content creation process. I single-handedly manage the One Matters Awards from head to tail - a core project for the Stakeholder Relationships Unit that awards congregations in 54 annual conferences across the USA. Achievements: I managed to include instructional design principles in the agency's instructional practices and contributed for a mindset change where evaluation is perceived as a tool for professional growth, instead of performance assessment. I have also included R.O.I. in the evaluation process. As a non-profit organization, R.O.I. was generally neglected and that hurt the allocation of funds. Show less
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Argosy University
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Higher Education Adjunct Faculty
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Sep 2018 - May 2019
Adjunct Professor in the Human Sciences Department. Taught hybrid master’s level classes. Courses Taught: HS6512 Policy, Advocacy, and Social Change HS6022 - Research and Writing in Human Services HS6016 - Multiculturalism and Diversity in Practice Adjunct Professor in the Human Sciences Department. Taught hybrid master’s level classes. Courses Taught: HS6512 Policy, Advocacy, and Social Change HS6022 - Research and Writing in Human Services HS6016 - Multiculturalism and Diversity in Practice
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General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church
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United States
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Religious Institutions
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1 - 100 Employee
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Global Travel Support Lead
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Nov 2017 - 2019
Position: Travel and Meeting Department - Lead Project Development and Training. I created the in-house Visa Support Department. The goal was to assist missionaries, pastors, and Bishops worldwide to get a visa. Accomplishment: In three months visa approval rates increased from less than 50% to 97% and sustained for over a year. For the first time in more than 20 years Global Ministries in South Africa had 100% of attendees with approved entry visas. Position: Travel and Meeting Department - Lead Project Development and Training. I created the in-house Visa Support Department. The goal was to assist missionaries, pastors, and Bishops worldwide to get a visa. Accomplishment: In three months visa approval rates increased from less than 50% to 97% and sustained for over a year. For the first time in more than 20 years Global Ministries in South Africa had 100% of attendees with approved entry visas.
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Maple Bear Canadian School
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Brazil
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Education Management
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700 & Above Employee
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Learning Sciences Specialist
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Jan 2015 - Aug 2016
Learning Sciences Consultant Designed the philosophical and pedagogic foundations for a new bilingual bicultural pre school program in Rio de Janeiro. The school abides by the Brazilian laws and Canadian standards of education. Achievement: I incorporated the 4C’s from the 21st century education framework in the school curriculum. Learning Sciences Consultant Designed the philosophical and pedagogic foundations for a new bilingual bicultural pre school program in Rio de Janeiro. The school abides by the Brazilian laws and Canadian standards of education. Achievement: I incorporated the 4C’s from the 21st century education framework in the school curriculum.
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Learning Sciences Specialist
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Jan 2013 - Aug 2016
Learning Sciences Consultant: Conducted different projects along the four years that preceded the games: 1. Designed the guidelines for the Olympic and Paralympic Education Pilot Program for the middle schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Liaised with school board officials, school principles, and teachers to capitalize on the several Olympic metaphors to increase students' and faculty's motivation to achieve. 2. Trained 240 volunteer interpreters from around the world to serve at the Rio2016 Olympic games. 3. Conducted a research on physical education management practices in Rio de Janeiro's "Schools of Tomorrow" project (Sponsored by UNESCO). The research followed Oscar Jara Holiday's method of "Systematization of Experiences". Show less
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INSTITUTO TREVO
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Brazil
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Non-profit Organization Management
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1 - 100 Employee
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Learning Sciences, Educational Research, and Instructional Design
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Apr 2011 - 2015
Provided theoretical foundations for several educational projects. Participated in the creation of the guidelines that generated the first social-emotional subject matter course included in the grid of the sports magnet schools - Ginásio Experimental Olímpico (GEO). Currently the five GEOs in Rio, use the same curriculum and are the only public middle schools among the ten best schools in Brazil. Provided theoretical foundations for several educational projects. Participated in the creation of the guidelines that generated the first social-emotional subject matter course included in the grid of the sports magnet schools - Ginásio Experimental Olímpico (GEO). Currently the five GEOs in Rio, use the same curriculum and are the only public middle schools among the ten best schools in Brazil.
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UNISUAM
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Brazil
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Higher Education Instructor
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Dec 2013 - Feb 2014
Taught Professional development courses for faculty and graduate students on the following subjects: (a) Positive Education: Character strengths for a flourishing in and beyond the classroom. (b) Teacher's intentional planning to impact the student's cognitive information processing. (c) Learned Helplessness Syndrome: impact and solutions for better learning and living. Taught Professional development courses for faculty and graduate students on the following subjects: (a) Positive Education: Character strengths for a flourishing in and beyond the classroom. (b) Teacher's intentional planning to impact the student's cognitive information processing. (c) Learned Helplessness Syndrome: impact and solutions for better learning and living.
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Virginia Tech
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Graduate Assistant
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Aug 2009 - Dec 2012
Position: Graduate assistant. Worked at the Educational Technology Lab, training grad students and faculty on how to implement technology. Taught pre-service science teachers how to create and use e-portfolio for learning, evaluating, and showcasing. Offered SmartBoard training and assistance to grad students and faculty. Accomplishment: Redesigned the “Intro to Instructional Design Course” for ITMA program (VT Online Master’s) Project manager and Portuguese translator of the award winning PMD-Pro1 course for “Last Mile Learning”. Show less
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Education
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2009 - 2012
Virginia Tech
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Education: Instructional Design and Technology -
2007 - 2008
Tennessee State University
Master's degree, Curriculum and Instruction -
1987 - 1990
Universidade Veiga de Almeida
Bachelor's degree, English Language and Literature, General
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