John T.

Cross
New Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taiwan

jtcross89@gmail.com 619-356-0641

linkedin.com/in/john-t-cross-5b268032

Summary
NOTE: I am not currently seeking new job opportunities.
 
Hello! I'm John Cross, a former multimedia artist-turned-English teacher working internationally. I'm currently
teaching high school English Literature and Language Arts at an international school in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
I have also taught English Language Arts to American middle school and high school students in California, and
have additional experience teaching ESL/EFL in South Korea to students ranging from elementary school to
college students and career professionals. I hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree from the University of
San Diego, and a California teaching license with an English Language Arts authorization and English Language
Learner (CLAD) certificate. I also have two B.A. degrees in Journalism and Film, along with a CELTA Certificate.
In my current position, in addition to my teaching responsibilities I also Co-Direct my school's Senior High Model
United Nations program (MUN).
 
Prior to my career in education, I worked in media production as a video editor, staff writer, web designer, and
social media coordinator for a philanthropy-focused startup called PeerSpring. Much of my work can be viewed on
the website, particularly on the Projects page: https://www.peerspring.com/project/browse.

Experience
High School English Literature and ELA Teacher
Jul 2018 - Present (4 years 4 months +)
*2022 Update*
For the 2022-2023 academic year, I am serving as the Associate Head Teacher for Grade 9 in the
English Department. I check lesson plans, ensure align, observe teachers, and provide useful tips and
resources to my colleagues in support of the English Department's overall goals.
 
As an English Literature and Language Arts teacher at the Kang Chiao International School Linkou
Campus, my responsibilities include:
• Designing lessons, units, and curricula based on Common Core State Standards
• Creating assessments to support students' continued English language and literature development
• Adjusting and transforming curricula to best suit all of my students' needs
• Collaborating with other teachers to align lesson and unit goals
• Cultivating a sense of empathy, goodwill, and personal responsibility in my students to further their
social-emotional development in tandem with their academic pursuits
• Leading the Senior High School Model United Nations Club in school and at regional conferences

Student Teacher, English Language Arts (Grade 9 Advanced)

San Diego Unified School District
Jan 2018 - Jun 2018 (6 months)
Student teacher for Grade 9 Advanced English Language Arts (ELA) at Mira Mesa High School in San
Diego, California during the 2018 Spring semester:

John T. Cross - page 1

• Designed and taught Common Core-aligned units on rhetoric, logical argumentation, and academic
writing
• Collaborated with other teachers to meet attainable and measurable educational goals
• Differentiated instruction for all types of learners
• Participated in staff development, IEP meetings, and a variety of extracurricular activities

Student Teacher, English Language Arts (Grade 7)

Chula Vista Elementary School District
Jul 2017 - Jan 2018 (7 months)
Student teacher for Grade 7 English Language Arts (ELA) at Arroyo Vista Charter School in Chula
Vista, California during the 2017 Summer and Fall semesters:
• Designed and taught Common Core-aligned units on literary analysis
• Created differentiated instruction to benefit ELLs and students with 504s or IEPs
• Participated in extracurricular activities such as chaperoning the school dance

English as a Foreign Language Teacher

Yeungjin College
Mar 2015 - Sep 2016 (1 year 7 months)
As an English teacher at Daegu Gyeongbuk English Village, my responsibilities included:
 
● Instructing Korean youth and adults from elementary school age to college and career professionals
in the use of conversational and situational English language
● Conducting "situational" classes that familiarize students with real-life, practical situations they may
encounter: Bank, Airport, Hospital, Grocery Store, etc.
● Creating lesson plans that are instructive and engaging
● Planning events and coordinating them through committees and departments
● Training new teachers and helping them adjust to Korean culture

Online Content Producer

PeerSpring
May 2011 - Oct 2014 (3 years 6 months)
(PeerSpring was formerly called KooDooZ)
 
● Wrote content and placed graphics and videos on the PeerSpring website
● Designed web pages for a variety of projects
● Pioneered video and graphic formats that are now used in all PeerSpring media
● Created over 100 promotional & educational videos
● Managed company Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Vimeo
● Successfully ran an online marketing campaign to gain the votes needed to qualify for a $200,000
grant

Computer Lab Technician

Keene State College
Sep 2007 - May 2011 (3 years 9 months)
• Maintained computer systems and printers, helped students with computer problems, returned found
items to owners, inventoried lab items.

John T. Cross - page 2

 • Rescued office computer systems from viruses and malware on several occasions.

Art Director
Elysian Fields Independent Feature Film
Sep 2010 - Apr 2011 (8 months)
• Ordered, catalogued, and distributed costumes and props; secured filming locations; set decoration;
special effects makeup (wounds and the like).
• Acted as an on-set advisor for the accuracy of props and costumes to the
World War II period. (Film trailer: http://youtu.be/lwt5FBhJC6E)

Education
University of San Diego
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Secondary Education and Teaching
2017 - 2018

University of Cambridge
Certification, CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults)
2016 - 2016
120 hour in-class course, including:
 
● 6 hours of assessed teaching observed by experienced CELTA teachers
● 6 hours of observing experienced CELTA and ESL teachers
● Professional development seminars
● Lesson planning and instructional design experience
 
The course was completed at International House Budapest, a well-established and internationally
recognized CELTA training center. The CELTA certificate is issued by the University of Cambridge.

International Teacher Training Organization

Certification, Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TEFL/TESOL)
2014 - 2014

Keene State College

B.A., Journalism
2007 - 2011

Keene State College

B.A., Film Production & Critical Studies
2007 - 2011

Licenses & Certifications

Statement of Eligibility with ESL Endorsement - New Hampshire Department of
Education
John T. Cross - page 3
 118405

California Single Subject Teaching License with English Language Arts

Credential and CLAD Certificate - California Department of Education
Issued Jun 2018 - Expires Jul 2023
180128920

New Hampshire Beginning Educator Certificate: English Education (G5-12) -

EDUCATION, NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF
Issued Dec 2019 - Expires Jun 2022
118405

Skills
Lesson Planning   •   Digital Learning   •   Curriculum Development   •   Curriculum Innovation   •   Writing   •  
Creative Writing   •   Differentiated Instruction   •   Classroom Instruction   •   Instructional Design   •   Restorative
Practices

Honors & Awards

2009 McNair Scholar - McNair Graduate Opportunity Program
Jun 2009
One of 14 students chosen from several universities fo ther McNair Scholars program at the
University of New Hampshire. As a college sophomore I did graduate-level research on my topic,
"Depersonalization and Derealization: Responses to Industrialization in The Matrix and Terminator
Series" during this program. After completing my thesis, I presented my findings to a group of peers and
educators at the University of New Hampshire and sought publication.

2009 Print Journalism Rookie of the Year - Keene State College

Apr 2009

John T. Cross - page 4