KAREN MEZA
Education
University of San Diego San Diego, CA
Master of Education August 2018
With Social Science Single Subject Credential GPA 4.0
University of San Diego San Diego, CA
Bachelor of Arts: History May 2017
Theology and Psychology Minors GPA 3.74
· Trustee Scholarship for Academic Excellence, 2013 - 2017
· Dean’s List, First Honors, Spring 2014 – Spring 2017
· Alcala Chapter of Mortar Board, Spring 2015 - Spring 2017
· Phi Alpha Theta Member, 2016 – Present
· Kappa Gamma Pi Member, 2017 - Present
Immersion Experiences
East Los Angeles, California Fall Break, 2016
New Orleans, Louisiana Spring Break, 2016
Studied Abroad in Antigua, Guatemala Intersession 2015
Master of Education August 2018
With Social Science Single Subject Credential GPA 4.0
University of San Diego San Diego, CA
Bachelor of Arts: History May 2017
Theology and Psychology Minors GPA 3.74
· Trustee Scholarship for Academic Excellence, 2013 - 2017
· Dean’s List, First Honors, Spring 2014 – Spring 2017
· Alcala Chapter of Mortar Board, Spring 2015 - Spring 2017
· Phi Alpha Theta Member, 2016 – Present
· Kappa Gamma Pi Member, 2017 - Present
Immersion Experiences
East Los Angeles, California Fall Break, 2016
New Orleans, Louisiana Spring Break, 2016
Studied Abroad in Antigua, Guatemala Intersession 2015
Relevant Experiences
Hillsdale Middle School El Cajon, CA
History Teacher Aug. 2018 – Present
· Teach world history and California education standards to seventh grade students
· Develop and implement units focused on building empathy, connections, and global citizenship skills
· Align planned units to state standards and unit objectives rooted in life-relevancy
· Chaperone seventh grade trip to CIMI camp on Catalina Island
· Attend and support students during IEP/504 meetings
Hillsdale Middle School El Cajon, CA
Student Teacher Jan. 2018 – Jun. 2018
· Teach medieval world history to seventh grade students
· Collaborate with special education and general education teachers
Bonita Vista Senior High School Bonita, CA
Student Teacher Aug. 2017 – Dec. 2017
· Teach Human Geography through units of global citizenship and cultural interactions
· Learn along-side students in classroom management, academics, compassion, and logistics of education
Residential Life University of San Diego San Diego, CA
Resident Assistant Aug. 2015 – May 2017
· Establish and maintain a positive and inclusive environment for college sophomore
· Serve as a peer educator, counselor, and resource referral to foster empowerment and engagement
· Develop programs based on co-curricular learning outcomes to ensure community dialogue and self-care
· Enforce University Policies, forming residents to strive for ethical conduct and restorative practices.
· Student Staff Training Committee member contributing ideas and feedback on training sessions
Whispering Winds Catholic Camp Julian, CA
Camp Counselor Summers, 2014 - 2017
· Organize and lead small group discussion, large group activities, and religious activities for high school and middle school participants
· Present personal witness talks incorporating religious ethics and encounters with humanness
· Enforce camp policies, supervising camper behavior and sleeping accommodations to ensure care and safety of participants
CampFire: CaHiTo San Diego San Diego, CA
Camp Counselor Jun. 2016 – Aug. 2016
· Lead children, age 3-12, of diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in various activities
· Designed and implemented outdoor curriculum-based activities to encourage play and hands-on learning
· Ensured safety and purposeful development for campers during large group field trips.
Noah Homes Inc. Spring Valley, CA
Receptionist Jun. 2011 – Jan. 2013
· Facilitated community activities for adults with developmental disabilities.
· Assisted with regulatory health program, teaching elements of healthy diets and exercise
History Teacher Aug. 2018 – Present
· Teach world history and California education standards to seventh grade students
· Develop and implement units focused on building empathy, connections, and global citizenship skills
· Align planned units to state standards and unit objectives rooted in life-relevancy
· Chaperone seventh grade trip to CIMI camp on Catalina Island
· Attend and support students during IEP/504 meetings
Hillsdale Middle School El Cajon, CA
Student Teacher Jan. 2018 – Jun. 2018
· Teach medieval world history to seventh grade students
· Collaborate with special education and general education teachers
Bonita Vista Senior High School Bonita, CA
Student Teacher Aug. 2017 – Dec. 2017
· Teach Human Geography through units of global citizenship and cultural interactions
· Learn along-side students in classroom management, academics, compassion, and logistics of education
Residential Life University of San Diego San Diego, CA
Resident Assistant Aug. 2015 – May 2017
· Establish and maintain a positive and inclusive environment for college sophomore
· Serve as a peer educator, counselor, and resource referral to foster empowerment and engagement
· Develop programs based on co-curricular learning outcomes to ensure community dialogue and self-care
· Enforce University Policies, forming residents to strive for ethical conduct and restorative practices.
· Student Staff Training Committee member contributing ideas and feedback on training sessions
Whispering Winds Catholic Camp Julian, CA
Camp Counselor Summers, 2014 - 2017
· Organize and lead small group discussion, large group activities, and religious activities for high school and middle school participants
· Present personal witness talks incorporating religious ethics and encounters with humanness
· Enforce camp policies, supervising camper behavior and sleeping accommodations to ensure care and safety of participants
CampFire: CaHiTo San Diego San Diego, CA
Camp Counselor Jun. 2016 – Aug. 2016
· Lead children, age 3-12, of diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds in various activities
· Designed and implemented outdoor curriculum-based activities to encourage play and hands-on learning
· Ensured safety and purposeful development for campers during large group field trips.
Noah Homes Inc. Spring Valley, CA
Receptionist Jun. 2011 – Jan. 2013
· Facilitated community activities for adults with developmental disabilities.
· Assisted with regulatory health program, teaching elements of healthy diets and exercise
Leadership
Diocese of San Diego: Young Adult Volunteer Sept. 2010 - Present
· Catechist for Confirmation formation at St. Therese Parish, Jul. 2018 - 2019
· Assist with Synergy Catholic Youth Conference, Apr. 2012 - Present
· Planned and facilitated the Diocesan Confirmation Retreat, Dec. 2015, 2016, 2017
· Distributed food and presents at St. Luke’s “East County Christmas for the Kids,” Dec. 2009 - 2014
· Coordinated St. Luke’s Faith Formation Programs & Retreats, Sept. 2010 – Apr. 2013
S(TEAM)2 Academy and STEAM Youth and Community Conference July 2017
· Catechist for Confirmation formation at St. Therese Parish, Jul. 2018 - 2019
· Assist with Synergy Catholic Youth Conference, Apr. 2012 - Present
· Planned and facilitated the Diocesan Confirmation Retreat, Dec. 2015, 2016, 2017
· Distributed food and presents at St. Luke’s “East County Christmas for the Kids,” Dec. 2009 - 2014
· Coordinated St. Luke’s Faith Formation Programs & Retreats, Sept. 2010 – Apr. 2013
S(TEAM)2 Academy and STEAM Youth and Community Conference July 2017
- Fostered growth and engagement through small group instruction in origami and equity monopoly
- Served as a resource to students as they complete sustainability awareness projects
- Small Group facilitator in the Residence Halls, inviting opportunity for spiritual and personal reflection
- Leader of Search Retreat promoting believing, becoming, and belonging
- East Los Angeles Romero Immersion Trip Participant acknowledging the needs of our own country
- Tijuana Day Trip Participant immersing myself beyond man-made borders by focusing on inclusion
- Speaker at Spirituality is Served community directing offering my understanding of “giving” during Lent
- Participant in LA Congress to increase my understanding of faith and implement new ideas at USD
- Retreat leader inspiring understanding of music as a form of ministry
- Women’s Ensemble Member sharing music as a form of spiritual reflection
- Participant April 2016
- Logistics Chair Oct. 2014-Apr. 2015
Certifications
Certificate of Clearance from San Diego County of Education Sept. 2016 - Present
Safe Space Ally Aug. 2016 – Present
CPR/First Aid Jun. 2016 – Present
Campus Security Authority and Mandated Reporter Aug. 2015 – Present
Safe Space Ally Aug. 2016 – Present
CPR/First Aid Jun. 2016 – Present
Campus Security Authority and Mandated Reporter Aug. 2015 – Present
Awards ReceIved
Outstanding Contribution to Residential Life from USD Student Affairs April 2016
Matthew 25 from Catholic Charities November 2017
Engstrand Award for Outstanding Achievement in History April 2018
Matthew 25 from Catholic Charities November 2017
Engstrand Award for Outstanding Achievement in History April 2018