Adolfo Martin Gonzales Villanueva
Beijing
Summary
Passionate educator with expertise in holistic teaching and learning, middle leadership, workshop delivery, community engagement, and pastoral care. Skilled in bilingual education/second language acquisition and middle school theatre arts. Proficient in various curricula including British EYFS, American CCSS, Chinese National Curriculum, IB PYP, IB MYP Arts and Language Acquisition, and collegiate ELA levels. Strong advocate for inclusivity, global mindedness, cross-cultural understanding, and inquiry-based and service learning. Committed to building caring cultures, fostering relationship development, integrating mindfulness practices, promoting wellbeing, and implementing positive education strategies in the classroom.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grade 6 Level Leader/MYP Theatre & ELA Teacher
Keystone Academy
08.2022 - Current
- As an engaged and committed MYP theatre arts and EAL teacher, I prioritize student learning, well-being, and interaction through effective instructional strategies that engage and teach students MYP arts and EAL assessment criteria in hands-on, creative, and collaborative methods
- Co-lead the collaborative planning and coordination of the Grade 8 Interdisciplinary Unit, focusing on effective student collaboration and learning
- Worked closely with colleagues in the arts department—music, theatre, and visual arts—to develop the integrated collaborative approach of the ID
- Our planning incorporates service learning and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering a holistic educational experience
- As a Grade 6 Level Leader, I foster positive relationships within the grade through hands-on activities and compassionate conflict interventions
- I maintain a collaborative partnership with my co-grade leader, embracing new ideas and approaches
- Together, we coordinate and execute logistical aspects of experiential learning trips, behavior interventions, weekly memos, school events, and the advisory curriculum, focusing on student well-being, relationship development, and service learning
- I am an active member of the Keystone Well-Being Committee, where I have lead mindfulness practices and shared mindfulness messages during morning announcements with the school community
- I actively engage in a variety of after-school programs, including coaching the U-14 boys' basketball team and co-coaching our newly established softball team. Additionally, I co-lead the Cultural Symphony Committee, which promotes cultural awareness within our school community and among the student body.
- I direct and support the production of theater plays and musicals for both high school and middle school students. Additionally, I assist our grade levels in organizing artistic festivals, including the International School Theatre Association (ISTA) festival.
Grade 4 PYP Homeroom Teacher
Beanstalk International Bilingual School
08.2021 - 07.2022
- As a Grade 4 PYP teacher, I engaged students through hands-on activities, collaborative exercises, and discussions, fostering a love for learning and curiosity
- I celebrated individual achievements and focused on strengths, helping students understand that growth often stems from mistakes
- This experience provided me with the PYP background I sought, allowing me to implement hands-on instruction in English, Math, and Units of Inquiry within a student-led environment
- I prioritized a growth mindset and moral development, aligning with the IB Learner Profile
- Additionally, I led an improv after-school program, enhancing students' confidence and appreciation for the theatre arts
- I also chaired our house committee, where I developed our team motto and song, and organized engaging house games
Early Years Teacher
Nanwai King’s College School
08.2018 - 07.2021
- This was an integral part of my career, as I developed myself more within the structures of early years education
- Within a bilingual early years department that combined the British EYFS, American CCSS, and Chinese national curriculum, I was able to teach a diverse range of curriculums while fostering inquiry and experiential learning opportunities as well as focus on language and social-emotional development
- I also had the great opportunity to collaborate with other experienced department teachers and leaders in the design and implementation of transdisciplinary lessons, such as experiential learning practices to support awareness of sustainability and farming skills, demonstrating our commitment to incorporating real-world skills into our curriculum
- By leading professional reflection practices with my co-teacher and team, we successfully developed engaging and meaningful experiences for our students that prepared them for lower primary academic expectations
Head of Department & Early Years Teacher
Shenyang Pacific Foreign School
08.2016 - 07.2018
- As a Head of Department and Early Years Teacher, I oversaw the design, coordination, organization, management, and instruction of a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program
- With a focus on developing creativity, English language skills, growth mindsets, social-emotional learning, and positive relationships, I created a warm and welcoming learning environment that fostered the holistic development of young learners
- As Head of Department, I was responsible for leading a team of educators, providing guidance and support in curriculum development, instructional strategies, and classroom management, and building collaborate relationships with families
- As an Early Years Teacher, I developed and implemented developmentally appropriate lesson plans, providing individualized support and guidance to students as they developed their skills in English, creativity, expression, and social-emotional learning
- Overall, my expertise in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and early years education allowed me to create an engaging and effective learning environment and academic department that promoted the growth and development of young learners and their families
English Instructor
ELS Language Schools
01.2015 - 07.2016
- This aspect of my career allowed me to apply my knowledge in second language acquisition, as I was able to instruct English as a second language to international collegiate students from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and cultures
- By using a comprehensive and engaging curriculum, technology and multimedia resources to enhance learning experiences, engaging in monthly experiential cultural activities to enhance understanding of American culture, norms, and daily life, demonstrating sensitivity to the unique cultural backgrounds of each student, and taking into account students’ existing language proficiency levels and learning style, my curriculum team and I were able to successfully cover integral aspects of our English language curriculum, including grammar, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, that equipped students with the mindset, knowledge, and skills necessary to successfully pass our institution’s language proficiency certification standards and achieve Texas Tech University admission
Substitute Teacher
Lubbock Independent School District
05.2014 - 07.2016
- Throughout my time as a graduate student in education, I immersed myself in experiences that saw me instruct as a substitute teacher grades K-12, allowing me to explore and build my personal pedagogy, practice providing effective and meaningful instruction, encourage, motivate and build positive relationships with my students, and learn from other experienced educators how to apply curriculums and implement, design, and modify lesson plans that meet the needs of diverse learners
Academic Research Assistant
Texas Tech University College of Education
07.2014 - 02.2015
- This experience gave me insight into the structures of curriculum and instruction in second language classrooms
- By gathering instructional data from two participating elementary teacher cohorts, transcribing, and analyzing that data, and keeping an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of State of Texas educational competencies and standards, I was able to immerse myself and gain experience of the systems and structures in place that make bilingual classrooms successful
- I was also in charge of designing graduate level literature assessments for my department chair, which allowed me to gain experience in assessment design and implementation
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Texas Tech University Recreational Center
05.2014 - 08.2014
- Applied my instructional skills to instruct aquatics, leading lessons for children ages three to six foundational swimming skills and aquatic safety
- This experience also gave me an opportunity to certify myself in first aid knowledge and skills
Sales Representative/Business Consultant/Data Instructor
Verizon Wireless
07.2010 - 09.2013
- This part of my career not only helped me pay for my graduate school education, but also develop new skills in the area of sales, customer support and interaction, business management and development, and data technology
- Within my three years with Verizon Wireless, I maintained knowledge and understanding of modern systems technology, met or exceeded monthly sales quotas, expanded company customer base, and increased personal commission and company revenues through referral follow-ups, building positive relationships with local customers, and promoting products and services to neighboring local communities
Sales Associate & Photographer/Corporate Studio Manager & Photographer
Portrait Innovations
02.2007 - 07.2010
- For the first eleven months as a photographer/sales representative in Houston, TX, I developed my skills in photography, customer relations, and sales, which led to a promotion and my own photography studio in Amarillo, TX
- For the next two years after that, I led a team of eight to ten sales associates/photographers in the photography, portrait distribution, and sales expectations of a high traffic portrait studio
- In addition to managing these expectations, I was also in charge of the training and motivational upkeep of my associates, and through strategic and operational agility, my team and I were able to surpass customer quotas and exceed physical year sales goals, generating high profit earnings which also led to high employee bonuses for two years straight
Youth Supervisor and Mentor
Boys and Girls Club of America
05.2006 - 02.2007
- This was my first experience engaging with youth in a professional setting, allowing me to first experience building relationships and mentoring children and teens within the structures and protocols of the Boys and Girls Club of America
- For nine months, I worked with youth from lower socio-economic demographics, supervising activities while helping build strong self-esteem and moral character for all our young members
- I also worked and led the homework support program which provided academic support for our older youth, as well as assisted club director in the development and implementation of recreational activities for our young and older youth
Education
Master of Education - Bilingual Education And Diversity Studies
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX12-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX12-2006
PGCE Key Stage One Teaching Certification - Education
University of Sunderland
06-2019
Skills
- Positive Learning Environment Management
- Effective Team Engagement
- Strong Interpersonal Communication
- Interpersonal Engagement Skills
- Emotional Intelligence
- Versatile in Dynamic Environments
- Critical Decision-Making Skills
- Supporting Skill Development
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Conflict-resolution
- Effective Motivation Strategies
Talks And Workshops
EARCOS Teachers Conference: Ignite Your Light: Strategies for Empowerment and Motivation
March 2025
TEDx Talk: The Art of Human-ing: Anecdotes and Tips for a Happier Human
June 2023
TEDx Talk: The Impact We Bring to Others When We Care
June 2020
Certification
Certificate in School Management and Leadership
Harvard Business School Online
November 2024
MYP Interdisciplinary teaching & learning in the MYP Cat 2
International Baccalaureate
April 2024
Positive Education Certification
The Center for Positive Education
June 2023
IBED Agency, Action, Service Cat 3
International Baccalaureate
October 2022
MYP Arts-Visual and Performing Cat 2
International Baccalaureate
June 2022
Making the PYP Happen: Implementing Agency Cat 1
International Baccalaureate
December 2021
Language and Literacy for Learning
Lexis Ed
April 2021
Mindfulness Foundations
Mindful Schools
February 2021
Improvisation Theatre Foundations
Smack Improv Group
October 2020
Classroom Strategies for Inquiry Based Learning
UTAustinX, Edx
July 2020
Leadership Roles
- Grade Level Leader for Grade 6 at Keystone Academy
- Grade 8 ID Unit Co-Coordinator at Keystone Academy
- Head Coach for U14 Boys Basketball at Keystone Academy
- Head of House at Beanstalk International Bilingual School
- Head Coach for Track & Field, Cross Country at Nanwai King’s College School
- Head of Early Years Department at Shenyang Pacific Foreign School
- Language Coordinator at Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society, Texas Tech Chapter
Affiliations
- The Center of Positive Education
- International School Theatre Association
- International Baccalaureate Educator Network
Hobbies and Interests
Health and Well-Being
Living a healthy and active lifestyle is also a priority. I involve myself in team sports, maintain a consistent gym routine, and focus on eating well, sleeping adequately, and practicing regular meditation.
Cooking
Cooking serves as a mindful practice for me, allowing me to refine my culinary skills while feeding my family, which is an amazing feeling!
Podcasting
I have recently taken up podcasting, which I find therapeutic and enriching as I discuss various topics and issues with friends and family.
Self-Care and Improvement
Committed to self-improvement, I strive to enhance my body, mind, and spirit through mindful and open-minded perspectives, aligning with my lifelong learning mentality.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Chinese
Limited Working
Timeline
Grade 6 Level Leader/MYP Theatre & ELA Teacher
Keystone Academy
08.2022 - Current
Grade 4 PYP Homeroom Teacher
Beanstalk International Bilingual School
08.2021 - 07.2022
Early Years Teacher
Nanwai King’s College School
08.2018 - 07.2021
Head of Department & Early Years Teacher
Shenyang Pacific Foreign School
08.2016 - 07.2018
English Instructor
ELS Language Schools
01.2015 - 07.2016
Academic Research Assistant
Texas Tech University College of Education
07.2014 - 02.2015
Substitute Teacher
Lubbock Independent School District
05.2014 - 07.2016
Aquatic Instructor/Lifeguard
Texas Tech University Recreational Center
05.2014 - 08.2014
Sales Representative/Business Consultant/Data Instructor
Verizon Wireless
07.2010 - 09.2013
Sales Associate & Photographer/Corporate Studio Manager & Photographer
Portrait Innovations
02.2007 - 07.2010
Youth Supervisor and Mentor
Boys and Girls Club of America
05.2006 - 02.2007
Master of Education - Bilingual Education And Diversity Studies
Texas Tech University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Texas Tech University
PGCE Key Stage One Teaching Certification - Education
University of Sunderland
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