Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Serrina Smith

Wilton,CA

Summary

Passionate international educator with over 12 years of experience in diverse educational roles, including special education, ESL, and leadership. Dr. Serrina Smith holds teaching credentials in K-12 Special Education, K-12 ESL, Early Childhood, and Elementary, along with a K-12 Principal Credential. Her educational background includes a BA in Communications & Criminal Justice, a MS in Special Education, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Deeply passionate about promoting inclusivity and access in education, she has a strong commitment to developing programs that enhance equity and support diverse populations. With a focus on collaboration and conflict resolution, Dr. Smith strives to ensure that every voice is valued in academic and workplace settings. She is dedicated to fostering supportive learning environments that empower students to reach their full potential.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

State Department Grantee Workshop Facilitator

US Department of State
09.2024 - Current
  • Research and develop content specifically addressing the needs of neurodiverse English Language Learners and educators
  • Create workshop outlines for various topics, ensuring alignment with best practices in education and diversity
  • Develop and adapt instructional materials for workshops, including presentations, handouts, and resources on topics such as Universal Design for Learning and IEP essentials
  • Integrate evidence-based strategies for supporting diverse learners in classroom settings
  • Present engaging and informative workshops focused on key topics such as executive functioning skills, social skills development, and building SMART goals for individualized learning
  • Foster an inclusive and interactive environment, encouraging participant engagement and collaboration

Enriched Inclusion Lead, MS/HS

Western Academy of Beijing
08.2022 - Current
  • Develop and coordinate programs for intensive needs and/or twice exceptional students
  • Collaborate with Admissions Office in screening new students for acceptance/placement in enriched inclusion
  • Coordinate with Educational Psychologist, Head of Student Support Services, relevant principals, & external providers
  • Manage EI facilities, resources, and budget
  • Facilitate & case manage retention and acceleration protocols for students
  • Collaborate in the development of training for specialized educational assistants
  • Participate in the development and direction for the development of WAB’s whole school Enriched Inclusion programming

Substitute Teacher

Elk Grove Unified School District
02.2022 - Current
  • Deliver and implement lesson plans while managing classroom behavior to maintain a positive learning environment.
  • Adapt instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of students, fostering engagement and participation.

English Language Teacher

Dolphin English
06.2021 - Current
  • Assessed student progress, providing constructive feedback to motivate improvement in language proficiency.
  • Deliver instruction in language arts encompassing reading, grammar, composition, and literature

Online Instructor

Private/ Virtual Connections
03.2020 - 08.2022
  • Deliver engaging, interactive content through online platforms including Zoom, Classin, Wechat, TEAMS
  • Created lessons and online testing materials to facilitate remote learning.
  • Xinyang Normal University Instructor (1 semester)
  • Implemented an effective mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities for a well-rounded educational experience.
  • Facilitated peer-to-peer interactions through group projects and discussion forums, fostering a sense of community among online learners.

Director of Health Services

Touchmark on West Century Retirement Community
01.2020 - 06.2020
  • Accountable for developing and maintaining comprehensive operating policies and procedures in compliance with state licensed care regulation
  • Responsible for staff recruitment, training, evaluation, and discipline
  • Monitor quality of resident care provided for each level within the campus to ensure that all corporate, state, and jurisdictional standards are met and/or exceeded
  • Responsible for budgeting, profitability, and cash flow of the licensed care programs

Learning Center Director

LIH-Olivia’s Place
09.2017 - 06.2020
  • Develop and implement ILPs (Individual Learning Plans)
  • Create/implement and administer lessons in English, Math, Science, and Social Science
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary staff including pediatricians, psychiatrists, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, and Applied Behavioral Analysts
  • Implement summative and formative assessments, quarterly reports i.e
  • Medical, demographic, and financial, coordinate and facilitate team meetings
  • Lead interviews, hire new team members, administer, and evaluate learning support staff, and conduct biweekly department meetings
  • Manage Learning Center budget

Elementary 1st Grade Teacher & Special Education Consultant

Springboard International Bilingual School
08.2016 - 09.2017
  • Create/implement and administer lessons in English, Math, Science, and Social Science
  • Implement summative and formative assessments, quarterly reports, conducted parent meetings
  • Facilitate school events, creating, developing presentations, and activities for assemblies
  • Collaborated with teachers to create ILPs (Individual learning plans) for students with various learning disabilities
  • Provided trainings on effective classroom management strategies

Primary (PreK-G6) Teacher

Best Learning Schools
08.2015 - 08.2016
  • Create and prepare English lessons
  • Conduct demonstration lessons for parents
  • Facilitate school Center events, creating and developing presentations and activities

Program Specialist

Anne Carlsen Center
02.2013 - 08.2015
  • Create individual goals and objectives for a caseload of thirty clients with developmental differences
  • Attend and conduct meetings, trainings, and quarterly evaluations
  • Work with cross-disciplinary staff including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, social workers, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and ABA therapists
  • Compute, analyze, and present data to clients and supervisors
  • Conduct interviews/ hiring new staff
  • CPI instructor for onboarding staff and provided refreshers to existing staff
  • Supervise employees

Attendant Care (Delinquent Juveniles) and Safe bed (providing adolescents safe shelter)

Stutsman County
02.2012 - 08.2015

- Conduct intake paperwork for delinquent juveniles upon arrival at the facility.
- Monitor and document individual behavior and progress in daily charts to ensure accurate record-keeping.

Board of Directors, Recreational Leader

Sacramento Country 4H
08.2005 - 08.2009

Judo Instructor

One on One Judo Club
08.2004 - 05.2009
  • Coach young judo students through engaging lesson plans, teaching fundamental techniques and promoting discipline.
  • Foster a positive environment that encourages teamwork and respect while monitoring student progress.

Education

Doctorate (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership

Nebraska Methodist College
Omaha, Nebraska
12.2020

Master of Science (M.S.) - Special Education

University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
05.2015

Bachelor’s degree - Criminal Justice, Communications

University of Jamestown
Jamestown, North Dakota
12.2012

Skills

  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Curriculum development

Certification

  • K-12 Principal Credential, North Dakota, 2024-Present
  • Teaching License, North Dakota, 2015-Present, Special Education K-12, Early Childhood, Elementary Education 1-8, English Learner K-12
  • IB MYP and DP Teaching and Learning Certificates, DePaul University, 2021
  • TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certified, 2014
  • First Aid/AED/CPR Certified, 2011-Current
  • CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) License, North Dakota, 2013-2017
  • CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) Certified Instructor, 2014-2015
  • Developmental Disabilities Certified, Minot University, 2014
  • College of Direct Support Certified, 2013
  • Chinese Language HSK Level 2, 2018
  • German Language B-1 level, 2022
  • Canoe Instructor, 2023-Present
  • 1st Degree (Shodan) Black Belt Ranked in Judo, 2015
  • Yoga instructor (500hr), 2021
  • Published Ray Rabbit’s Surprise Breakfast (children’s book), 2021
  • Member of SENIA (Special Education Network & Inclusion Association), 2015-present

Languages

English
Native language
German
Intermediate
B1
Chinese (Mandarin)
Elementary
A2

Timeline

State Department Grantee Workshop Facilitator

US Department of State
09.2024 - Current

Enriched Inclusion Lead, MS/HS

Western Academy of Beijing
08.2022 - Current

Substitute Teacher

Elk Grove Unified School District
02.2022 - Current

English Language Teacher

Dolphin English
06.2021 - Current

Online Instructor

Private/ Virtual Connections
03.2020 - 08.2022

Director of Health Services

Touchmark on West Century Retirement Community
01.2020 - 06.2020

Learning Center Director

LIH-Olivia’s Place
09.2017 - 06.2020

Elementary 1st Grade Teacher & Special Education Consultant

Springboard International Bilingual School
08.2016 - 09.2017

Primary (PreK-G6) Teacher

Best Learning Schools
08.2015 - 08.2016

Program Specialist

Anne Carlsen Center
02.2013 - 08.2015

Attendant Care (Delinquent Juveniles) and Safe bed (providing adolescents safe shelter)

Stutsman County
02.2012 - 08.2015

Board of Directors, Recreational Leader

Sacramento Country 4H
08.2005 - 08.2009

Judo Instructor

One on One Judo Club
08.2004 - 05.2009

Doctorate (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership

Nebraska Methodist College

Master of Science (M.S.) - Special Education

University of North Dakota

Bachelor’s degree - Criminal Justice, Communications

University of Jamestown
Serrina Smith