JEN CURTIS
Northampton
Summary
Student-centered educator with 12+ of experience teaching English literature and composition to high school students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Proven expertise in designing and implementing curriculum that fosters a deep understanding of literature while promoting transferrable skills in writing, argumentation, and critical thinking. Committed to empowering students through differentiated instruction, alternative assessments, and individualized writing support.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
8th-12th Grade English Teacher
The Hartsbrook School
Hadley, MA
01.2020 - 2024
- Designed developmentally-appropriate English curriculum for students grades 8-12 focused on written composition, verbal communication, rhetoric and creative writing
- Worked in tandem with colleagues to modernize Waldorf curriculum, including moving towards alternative grading models, contextualizing and diversifying the traditional canon, and implementing a more culturally relevant pedagogy
- Courses included: Foundational English (8th & 9th Grades); Poetry (10th Grade); Film Studies (11th & 12th Grade); The Radical Imagination: Utopian Fiction and Futures (11th & 12th Grade); Call and Response: Remixing, Re-imagining, and Re-contextualizing Literature (11th & 12th Grade)
9th and 10th Grade English Teacher
The Head-Royce School
Oakland, CA
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Instructed and co-designed comprehensive English curriculum focused on exploring literature through a variety of critical theories including Marxist, Feminist, African American, Queer, New Historic and Psychoanalytic
- Built foundational writing skills through analytical, expository and creative writing and facilitated student-led discussions of texts through the Harkness method
- Texts of study included both traditionally canonized and contemporary American and European literature with an emphasis on elevating historically marginalized voices
9th-12th Grade Literature Teacher
The Athenian School
Danville, CA
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Instructed student-centered curriculum focused on exploring non-Western literature and cultures through close-reading, analytical, expository and creative writing; student-designed projects; and student-led Harness discussions
- Built on foundational reading, writing and speaking skills through one-on-one coaching sessions and authentic, student-designed assessments
- Courses included: World Literature (9th Grade); Latinx Literature (11th and 12th Grade); The Art of Memoir (11th and 12th Grade); Buddhist Thought (12th Grade)
Assistant Editor
EdSurge
Burlingame, CA
10.2016 - 08.2017
- Covered and reported on K-12 news related to education and technology.
- Sourced, recruited and edited submissions from writers across the education community, as well as EdSurge staff.
- Assembled, delivered and tracked results for weekly newsletter, received by over 20,000 K-12 educators.
11th and 12th Grade English Teacher
Oakland Unity High School
Oakland, CA
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Instructed and designed differentiated curriculum with authentic assessment for traditionally under-served population, including 70% English Language Learners
- Raised percentage of 11th graders deemed proficient in English from 23% to 73% over 3 years based on 2014-2015 English Scores on Smarter Balanced Assessment
- Founded and facilitated writing center providing daily after-school support for struggling writers across grade levels, including training upperclassmen to serve as peer tutors
Education
Ed.M - Language and Literacy
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, MA01.2018
B.A. - English Literature and Creative Writing (Poetry)
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL01.2012
Timeline
8th-12th Grade English Teacher
The Hartsbrook School
01.2020 - 2024
9th and 10th Grade English Teacher
The Head-Royce School
01.2019 - 01.2020
9th-12th Grade Literature Teacher
The Athenian School
01.2018 - 01.2019
Assistant Editor
EdSurge
10.2016 - 08.2017
11th and 12th Grade English Teacher
Oakland Unity High School
01.2012 - 01.2016
B.A. - English Literature and Creative Writing (Poetry)
Northwestern University
Ed.M - Language and Literacy
Harvard Graduate School of Education