Damien Shuck

EDUCATION

Stonecoast Program, University of Southern Maine, Portland, MA

MFA in Creative Writing, Poetry 2009

Dissertation: The Stand-up School:

The Influence of Comedy in Contemporary American Poetry.

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO

B.A. in English Literature 2005

AWARDS

New American Poetry Award 2013

PUBLICATIONS

The Drowning Room

Winner of the New American Poetry Prize- 2013

New American Press 2014

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Southwest University, Chongqing, China

Associate Professor/ Head Teacher 2014–2017

· Received some of the most positive and exuberant student evaluations in my department.

· Observed classes and created teaching improvement plans.

· Instituted programs for greater accountability in teaching proficiency and greater uniformity in course curriculum.

· Created curriculum and materials for a variety of English language classes including writing, academic writing, pronunciation and speaking.

· Created recruitment and hiring programs for new instructors.

· Worked with colleagues to create culture and training programs for new instructors.

· Advised and prepared students for international study.

· Prepared and taught a variety of courses and lectures, administered all grades.

· Provided as-needed editorial support, including design and copy editing of academic papers, articles and translations.

· Edited articles for an international linguistics journal.

Courses Taught

Elementary English Writing I and II 2016-2017

Increase student’s abilities in English writing with a focus on grammar, sentence structure, paragraph structure and diction. Build peer and self-editing skills using a variety of writing assignments. Developed syllabus, materials and course structure. Administered all grades.

Academic Writing 2016

Prepare students for academic writing assignments. Focus on structure, formatting, paragraph formation, critical thinking, research and academic standards. Teach APA and MLA formats. Developed syllabus, materials and course structure. Administered all grades.

Audio-Visual English 2016

Improve student’s listening and speaking skills through multi-media assignments and classwork. Student focused activities and creative thinking practice using a wide variety of media. Developed syllabus and course structure. Administered all grades.

Oral English 2015-2016

Improve student’s conversational language development. Focus on spontaneous, creative language use in a variety of situations. Utilize an activity-based approach to language use. Developed syllabus and course structure. Administered all grades.

Introduction to Literature 2015-2016

Introduce students to critical theory, develop critical thinking skills

and introduce students to a variety of English literature materials.

Cover a variety of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction and plays.

Developed syllabus and course structure, selected materials

and administered all grades.

Comprehensive English Skills 2015

Prepare students for TEM-4 exam. Focus on listening comprehension, oral English skills and critical thinking through cultural-education based activities. Collaborated with Chinese Colleagues on Course Design. Developed syllabus and course structure.

Conversational English 2014

Improve student’s improvisation and immediate language production. Increase student’s confidence in language use while introducing American culture. Utilize student centered, language production activities. Developed syllabus and course structure. Administered all grades.

Greek Mythology 2014

Introduce Greek mythology. Focus on critical thinking, cultural analysis and creative interpretation. Students practice teaching techniques through presentations and student created activities to introduce stories to classmates. Developed syllabus and course structure. Administered all grades.

English Practicum 2014

English language skills class for non-English majors. Improve language skills, develop cultural knowledge and prepare students for potential study-abroad opportunities. I created this class to fill a need in my school community after listening to student feedback. Submitted class proposal and ushered course creation from concept through inception. Developed syllabus and course structure. Administered all grades.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Southwest University Publishing Department

Voice Actor 2016- 2017

· Created extensive recorded content for ESL audiobooks, tests and in-class listening activities for middle, high school and college level classes.

· Edited scripts for accuracy.

Peace Corps- China

Associate Professor 2014–2016

· Created lasting personal connections with local people and integrated into my community to make a long term positive impact.

· Developed student programs and curriculum in student health, cooking, cultural exchange, interview skills and international study.

· Created student success initiatives to prepare students for international study.

· Trained hundreds of teachers in student based learning and active classroom engagement.

· Edited, designed and sourced materials for a series of textbooks.

Qijiang Municipal Education Department

Lead Coordinator 2015

· Organized and supervised a two-week training program.

· Liaised between leadership in Chinese government, U.S. Peace Corps and volunteer teachers.

· Coordinated twenty American, volunteer teachers and four hundred Chinese trainees.

· Trained teachers in curriculum development and student-centered learning as well as classroom activities, student engagement and technology integration in the classroom.

Chengdu University

Invited Lecturer 2016

· Created three-hour lecture and activity on practical English skills.

· Focused on everyday use in English to excite students about English language study.

· Taught students how to bake banana bread.

Pikes Peak Library District

Information Specialist 2007-2014

· Assistant supervisor for mobile libraries and outreach department.

· Created teen centered events by creating partnerships with community organizations like the planetarium.

· Organized art programs for teens.

· Organized and led a creative writing workshop for teens.

· Created and edited promotional materials.

· Event planning, local resource engagement, community engagement.

· Information technology specialist/new technology liaison.

LANGUAGES

English- Native language

Mandarin- Intermediate-mid.

Certifications

ESL Certification- Certifying one hundred hours of TEFL teaching methods and four semesters of ESL teaching. Endorsed by United States Government, Peace Corps.

MEMBERSHIPS

Association of Writers and Writing Programs

CONTACT

TEL:719-313-8124

E-MAIL:damienshuck8@msn.com

ADDRESS:104 Nighthawk RoadBuena Vista, CO. 81211