Sanders Educational Material

2018-present: Senior Learning Experience Designer 2014-2018: Private Instructor (German and Learning skills) and Instructional Designer 2014-2015: Adjunct Professor, MFL University of Denver 2012-2015: Adjunct Professor (distance learning, hybrid, remote), MFL, University of Mary Hardin Baylor 2008-2014: Assistant Instructor Germanic Studies Department at University of Texas at Austin 2011-2012: Interin Instructor of German and Program Coordinator, St. Edward's University, Austin Texas. I have taught all levels of German. I currently only teach privately and design customized learning journeys. I use pop culture (TV, radio, film, books) and game strategies to increase interest and impact motivation. Material Design 2009-2016 Deutsch im Blick, editing and new content creation, social media and community manager 2011 Grammatik im Blick - grammar supplement material for Deutsch im Blick and Grimm Grammar online platforms (OPEN SOURCE) (http://coerll.utexas.edu/dib/) 2011 Kebab Connection Film Package 2009 Issues in Pedagogy, teaching methodologies online class production. Designed by Dr Carl Blyth and Dr Zsuzsanna Abrams. Active class participant. For teacher education purposes available under http://www.coerll.utexas.edu/methods/, UT Austin

check it out and subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmBDoKNElqgnXVPHKYaLr3A I am creative, idealistic and visionary, and believe in everyone's natural talents and potentials to achieve beyond their own expectations. I work in close collaboration with my students to provide them with the support they need in their educational development and careers. I aim to inspire them to become independent thinkers, learners and individuals, who strive to find their own path in life. Understanding that challenges, and making mistakes is normal and necessary in learning, is one of the most important aspects in my teaching. I prefer to use authentic material, that can also include errors. If spotted by me or my students we discuss and collaboratively decide over the "proper" form and explain what "went wrong". I use material through multi-modal design, which includes pictures, PowerPoint presentations, videos etc. According to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines I ideally integrate all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and I also vary instructional strategies, to keep the learning experience interesting and appealing as students have different learning preferences. I apply different methods, which range from team-based learning and competitive challenges to group projects and independent assignments. My own versatile teaching style is always evolving and focuses on engaging students, foster motivation, creativity and productivity. When choosing or developing material I also refer to the ACTFL National Standard's five Cs (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons and Communities). Additionally, I use humor theory and integrate it in activities and/or other material whenever applicable and purposeful. For grammar, I encourage students to find their own approaches to discover the complexity and logic of the language. This way, they personalize their learning experience and establish connections or comparisons to their prior knowledge. A variation of instructional methods is beneficial to keep it interesting, challenging and appealing to the students. Thus, I help students develop or improve their study skills to get the most out of their learning. With the primary focus being the student, I aim for a low anxiety learning atmosphere, which encourages the students and in which they can play with the language and learn by doing. This includes games, role play and creative units. Depending on the course/student(s) I adjust and create the material and work towards the promotion of my students' learning skills. At the same time, I articulate my expectations clearly, so that students can successfully complete tasks. I believe that this has a greater effect on student learning and I utilize student input to improve the quality of my teaching, the atmosphere, interactions and development of material in class. Providing personalized feedback throughout their learning experience is central in evaluating growth and achievement. With all this, I hope to make the language learning experience valuable beyond the classroom. My goal is for students to become intrinsically motivated (if they aren't already) as they begin to realize that learning a language is not only important to communicate in a foreign language.

2014, Teaching Assistant of the Year Award, UT Austin 2012 Van Dusen Fellowship Award for Excellence in Teaching, UT Austin; 2012 Educational Psychology Travel Grant for participating and presenting at AERA in Canada in April, UT Austin 2012 Mentorship Stipend for “Deutsch im Blick†Online Mentoring, Facebook Page Moderator and Coordinator, UT Austin 2012 Nominated for the TLC “Foreign Language Teacher Award 2012, UT Austin 2011 Stipend for Graduate Scholar Seminar participation, UT Austin 2011 TLC Development Grant to design “Grammatik im Blick†supplemental grammar material for online software “Grimm Grammerâ€/â€Deutsch im Blick†in cooperation with Christina Kellner for Dr Per Urlaub, UT Austin 2011 Nominated for the TLC “Foreign Language Teacher Award 2011â€, UT Austin 2011 TLC Professional Development Grant Award for Comedy Film Material Design and Conference travel, UT Austin 2011 Van Dusen Fellowship Award for Excellence in Teaching, UT Austin 2010 Rheder Award for Excellence in Service, UT Austin 2010 Van Dusen Fellowship Award for Excellence in Teaching, UT Austin 2009 Van Dusen Graduate Fellowship Award, UT Austin 2009 Germanic Studies Travel Grant for participating and presenting at the Kentucky Foreign Languages Conference in April, UT Austin 2008 Texas Chair Fellowship, UT Austin 2007-2008 Full Teaching Assistant Scholarship for the Academic Year 2007/2008, Mt. Holyoke College (covering tuition, room, board and honorarium) 2007 3rd Prize in „Go Out Study Abroad“ Contest, University of Bonn/Germany

2010-2014: Phd in Educational Psychology (HDCLS); University of Texas at Austin, TX/USA, College of Education. Dissertation Topic: Exploring the construct of teacher self-disclosure and its connection to situational interest, intended effort, and the learning experience in a foreign language learning context 2008-2010 University of Texas at Austin, TX/USA: Master of Arts (M.A.) in German Culture and Language May 2010, Report Title: "Humor in the Foreign Language Classroom" 2007-2008 Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA/USA: Certificate in English, Academic Year Fellowship Program; 2004-2007 Rheinische-Fiedrich-Wilhelms Universität, Bonn/Germany: Grundstudium and Zwischenprüfungen and two semesters of Hauptstudium in North America Studies Program (NAP), Political Science and Geography (B.A. Degree equivalent)

I currently work and live in the Greater Houston Area with my family. I work full-time as a Learning Experience Designer and have shifted German language material design to self-study material, like flashcards, games, etc. that focus primarily on early learners, bilingual education and reinforcement.