CIELITO BREKKE

Education

Master of Education, Adult Education, ESL Literacy emphasis, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington 
Additional Post-baccalaureate Education
· Whitworth University, ESL Endorsement Program, Summer – Fall 2004
· Eastern Washington University, Reading Teacher Certification, Fall 1994, Spring 1996
· Concordia University, Graduate School in Education, River Forest, Illinois, Spring 1994
· Manila Central University, Graduate School in Education, Manila, Philippines, 1987-1989


Bachelor of Arts, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

Work Experience

English as a Second Language Instructor, September 1998 – present
Adult Basic Education, Spokane Community College
· Teach pre-literacy, beginning literacy, high beginning, intermediate, and advanced ESL literacy to a diverse population of adult students from various language groups, mostly refugees and immigrants, using research-based practices, innovative strategies, and collaborative team-teaching approach
· Devise and prepare daily lesson plans, instructional materials, and multimedia lessons that include phonics and pronunciation, vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, spelling, basic grammar, basic writing, conversation, survival and life skills, computer basics, and employment skills based on Washington State Basic Skills Competencies for Adults and LEP (Limited English Proficient) students
· Integrate technology across the curriculum
· Develop and implement curricula for preliterate, low beginning, high beginning ESL students
· Design and revise quarterly assessments for preliterate, low beginning, high beginning ESL students according to the Washington State Adult Learning Standards
· Design and maintain an ESL Literacy website for preliterate, beginning, high beginning ESL students
· Facilitate ESL literacy workshops and train new ESL teachers, tutors, aides, and volunteers


TESOL and Teacher Education Instructor, January 2016 - December 2018
School of Education, Whitworth University, Spokane WA
. Teach Refugee and Immigrant Experiences course, School of Education and TESOL Program

MA/TESL (Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language) Instructor, January 2011 - December 2013
English Language Center, Gonzaga University, Spokane WA
. Taught Refugee and Immigrant Perspectives course to graduate and undergraduate students of the Master in Teaching ESL department
ESL and Reading Instructor, July 1989 – July 1993
World History Instructor, July 1989 – July 1993
College of Micronesia, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
· Taught beginning and intermediate ESL reading and writing skills to freshmen and sophomore students; taught world history to freshmen and sophomore students
· Designed, wrote, and administered quarterly ESL, reading, and world history assessments

English as a Second Language Teacher, October 1986 - June 1993
Social Studies Teacher, October 1986 - June 1993
Berea Christian School, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
· Taught beginning and intermediate ESL speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar to 9th - 12th graders
· Taught American History to 12th graders, comparative government to 11th graders, world history to 10th graders, world geography to 9th graders, and Micronesian Civics to 7th and 8th graders
· Wrote and implemented ESL and social studies curricula; designed and administered quarterly and yearly final examinations
· Chaired Social Studies department

Professional Presentations, Workshops/Training Presentations, and Invited Academic Lectures


Invited Lecture, Working with Refugees and Immigrants in the Classroom, EDU 372, Refugee and Immigrant Experiences, Whitworth University, September 27, 2019
Speaker/Workshop Trainer, Strategies for Teaching Adult Refugees in a Mixed-literate, Mixed-culture, and Mixed-ability Classroom, Jewish Family Services, Columbus, Ohio, May 29, 2015
. Invited Lecture, Refugee and Immigrant Families and Experiences, EDU 561/361 Second Language Acquisition, Whitworth University, April 7, 2015
. Workshop Facilitator/Trainer, Cultural Brokers and Linguistic Minorities: Refugees and Immigrants, Part 2, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, June 1, 2012
. Speaker, Professional Development Day, Cultural Brokers and Linguistic Minorities: Refugees and Immigrants, Part 1, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, April 26, 2012
Guest Speaker/Lecturer, Effective ESL Teaching Methods for Beginners, MA/TESL, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, June 16, 2011
Guest Speaker/Lecturer, Best Approaches for Teaching Adult ESL, MA/TESL, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, March 30, 2011
. Presenter, Spokane Regional ESL Conference, Creating Materials for Interactive Classroom Activities, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, Spokane, WA, February 26, 2011
. Presenter/Guest Speaker, ESL Teaching Techniques for Absolute Beginners, MA/TESL, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, November 18, 2010
· Presenter/Guest Speaker, ESL Preliteracy and Adult Emergent Readers, MA/TESL, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, October 29, 2009
. Presenter/Guest Speaker, Language, Culture, and Literacy, English Language Center, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, July 27, 2009 
· ESL Workshop Trainer/Facilitator, ESL Literacy Spring Workshop for Tutors and Volunteers, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, April 30, 2009
· Presenter, Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE) Conference, Systematic Training of Tutors and Teachers of Adult ESL Learners without First Language Literacy Skills , Loiusville, Kentucky, April 19, 2009
· Presenter, Spokane Regional ESL Conference, Ideas and Materials Development for Teaching Preliterate and Beginning Level ESL Students, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, February 28, 2009
· ESL Workshop Trainer/Facilitator, ESL Literacy Winter Workshop for Tutors and Volunteers, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, February 13, 2009 
· ESL Workshop Trainer/Facilitator, ESL Literacy Fall Workshop for Tutors and Volunteers, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, October 31, 2008 
· Presenter, Spokane Regional ESL Conference, Using Multi-sensory Approaches for Teaching Reading to Adult Preliterate and Non-literate Learners, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, February 23, 2008 
· ESL Literacy Workshop Trainer, ESL Literacy, English Language Center, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, February 8, 2008 
· ESL Literacy Workshop Trainer/Facilitator, Strategies for Adult ESL Preliterate and Low-literate Learners, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, October 26, 2007 
· Presenter, TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Graduate Student Forum, Teaching Strategies for Adult ESL Preliterate Leaners, Seattle Washington, March 20, 2007 
· Guest Lecturer/Speaker, ESLG 483, Reading Instruction in Second Language, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, May 16, 2006 
· Presenter, Tacoma Community House Training Project, Hands-on Activities for Preliterate Students (Poster Session), Tacoma, WA, November 14, 2005 
· Guest Lecturer/Speaker, ESLG 496, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, November 9, 2005 
· Presenter, Spokane ESL Regional Conference, Second Language Literarcy Instruction to Learners without First Language Literacy Skills, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, February 26, 2005
Awards and Grants Received
· Exceptional Faculty Award, Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation and Spokane Teacher’s Credit Union, 2008
. IEL Equity Diversity Mini-Grant Award, Institute for Extended Learning, 2011
. CCS Foundation Mini-Grant Award, Community Colleges of Spokane, 2009
· Incentive Grant Award, Commission on Adult Basic Education, 2008
· Commendable Service Award, College of Micronesia, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, 1993
· Outstanding Service and Contributions Award, Berea Christian School, Chuuk, Fed. States of Micronesia, 1992

Curricula and Projects Developed
Created ESL lesson videos for YouTube, Cielito’s ESL Videos, 2018-2019
ESL Course of Record, Levels 1-6, ESL Steering Committee, Fall 2019
Student Learning Outcomes, ESL Level 3, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, and Digital Literacy based on CCRS Anchors, Spring 2019
Speaking/Listening & Writing Rubrics, ESL Levels 3 & 2, based on CCRS Anchors, 2018-2019
ESL Level 3 Curriculum Guidelines based on CCRS anchors, 2017-2018
ESL Intermediate Website, http://eslliteracy2.blogspot.com/2017/06/esl-literacy-website-intermediate.html, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, Spring 2017
ESL Literacy Website, http://eslliteracywebsite.blogspot.com/, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, Summer 2006, 2009, 2014, 2017
. Project Set-up and Design, Academic Support Program, ABE/ESL Spokane Community College, Summer 2015
. Developing the Academic Ability of Higher-Level Adult ESL Students, A Curriculum Guide, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, 2012-2013
. Training Cultural Brokers for Linguistic Minorities: Refugees/Immigrants, Institute for Extended Learning, Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, Washington, Spring 2012
. A Manual for Trainers of ESL Tutors and Volunteers, Institute for Extended Learning, Spring 2009
· Systematic Training of Teachers and Tutors of Adult ESL Learners without First Language Literacy Skills, Institute for Extended Learning and Commission on Adult Basic Education, 2008 -2009
· Volunteer ESL Literacy Project, Institute for Extended Learning, Winter 2009
· Volunteer ESL Literacy Project, Institute for Extended Learning, Fall 2008
· Tutor Curriculum Guide for Adult Preliterate and Low-literate Learners, IEL, Fall 2007

· Curriculum Guide for Preliterate and Non-literate Adult Learners, IEL, Winter 2005

Publications
· Brekke, C. (2009). Tutor Curriculum Guide for Adult ESL Preliterate Learners. Commission on Adult Basic Education: http://adultedresource.coabe.org/
· Brekke, C. (2009). Curriculum Guide for Adult ESL Preliterate Learners. ProLiteracy Trainer Toolkit, Proliteracy America, http://www.proliteracy.org/training/toolkit.asp
· Brekke, C. (2009). Systematic Training of Tutors and Teachers of Adult ESL Learners. ProLiteracy Trainer Toolkit, http://www.proliteracy.org/training/toolkit.asp

Masters Terminal Research

· Second Language Literacy Instruction of Adult Learners without First Language Literacy Skills, Summer 2007, a graduate terminal research presented to Eastern Washington University

Professional Development History
. College and Career Readiness Standards 201, SCC, May 17, 2019 
Reading Apprenticeship, SCC, TLC, April 19, 2019 
. SCC Screening Committee – Faculty, April 2, 2019
Course-level Student Learning Outcomes, SCC, Workshops 1-3, February 2019
eLearning and Technology, SBCTC at SCC, February 8, 2019
Transparency in Learning and Teaching, Designing Transparent Assignments, SCC, January 9, 2019
Tenure-Track Faculty and Tenure Committee Training, SCC, October 17, 2018
Academic Employee Training, CCS, September 17, 2018
Spokane Regional ESL Conference, Mukogawa Institute, February 2011-2015, 2018
Annual eLearning Academy, Community Colleges of Spokane, September 16-17, 2014
TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Convention, Boston, Massachusettes, March 24 - March 27, 2010
. COABE (Commission on Adult Basic Education) Conference, Loiusville, Kentucky, April 17 - 20, 2009 
· TESOL Convention, Seattle, Washington, March 21 – March 24, 2007
· TESOL Convention, Long Beach, California, March 31 - April 3, 2004
· TESOL Convention, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 19 - 23, 2002
· Teaching Pre-literate Adult Refugee Students Part 2, Fall Workshop, Tacoma Community House, Tacoma, Washington, November 4, 2005
· Teaching Pre-literate Adult Refugee Student Part 1, Spring Workshop, Tacoma Community House, Tacoma, Washington, May 14, 2005
. Spokane Regional ESL Conference, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, February 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

· Spokane Regional ESL Conference, Gonzaga University, February 1999 – 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009
· Literacy Workshop: Learning Differences, IEL, ABE, March 17, 2005
· ESL Literacy Workshop: Preliterate and Beginning ESL Literacy, IEL, ABE, April 30, 2004
· ESL Literacy Training: Have Text, Will Travel, Will Talk, IEL/ABE, May 2002
· Program Development In-service Training, IEL, ABE, 1999 – 2015

Professional Committees

. Diversity, Equity & Global Awareness Committee, Spokane Community College, 2019-2020
. District Equity Council, Community Colleges of Spokane, 2018-2020
. Student Holistic Supports Committee, Spokane Community College, 2019-2020
. BEdA Handbook Committee, Co-chair, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2019-2020
. ESL Program Review Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2019-2020 
. FT Faculty Executive Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2019-2020
. Screening Committee, ESL Tenure-Track Position, ABE, Spokane Community College, 2019
. ESL Steering Committee, Adult Basic Education, Spokane Community College, 2018-2019
. ABE/ESL Graduation Committee, Spokane Community College, 2019
. SCC Building 15 Work Group Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2017-2018
. College and Career Readiness Standards Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2017-2019
. Program Development Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2016-2019
Academic Support Program Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2015-2016
. Faculty Development Committee, ABE/ESL, Spokane Community College, 2015-2016
. Technology Committee, Adult Education, Spokane Community College, 2014-2015
ESL Steering Committee, Institute for Extended Learning, Adult Basic Education, Community Colleges of Spokane, 2000-2012
· ESL Literacy Curriculum Committee, ESL, IEL, Adult Basic Education, 2004-2007 
· Assessment Committee, ESL, IEL, ABE, 2001-2002, 2004-2007, 2009-2010 
· Book Committee, ESL, IEL, ABE, 2000-2004 
· World History Steering Committee, College of Micronesia, Chuuk, Micronesia, 1991-1993 
· ESL Steering Committee, College of Micronesia, Chuuk, Micronesia, 1990-1993 
· Micronesian Civics Steering Committee, Berea Christian School, Micronesia, 1991-1993 
· Student Government Committee, Facilitator, Chuuk, Micronesia, 1991-1993 
· Social Studies Steering Committee, Berea Christian School, Chuuk, Micronesia, 1989-1993 
· Social Studies Textbook Committee, Berea Christian School, Chuuk, Micronesia, 1989-1993 
· ESL Steering Committee, Berea Christian School, Chuuk, Micronesia, 1986-1993 

Computer Technology Skills

· Website Developer, Trellix Site Builder, Blackboard Learn, Canvas Leaning Management System, PowerPoint, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Publisher, 

Languages

· English, Tagalog (Pilipino), some Spanish, and some Micronesian

Volunteer Experience
. Life Center Church, Spokane, WA, 2017-2019, Auditorium Prep Team
. Timberview Christian Fellowship, Mead, WA, 1995-2014, Sunday School Teacher, Greeter, Teller
. Union Gospel Mission & City Gate Ministries, Spokane, WA, Occassional Kitchen/Dining Room Assistant  
. Barton School, First Presbyterian Church, Spokane, Washington, 1994-1995, ESL Tutor
. Filipino Association in Micronesia, Community development and fundraising projects, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, 1987-1993, Secretary
. Berea Christian Church, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, 1986-1993, Sunday School Teacher
. Filipino Association in Micronesia Newsletter, Chuuk, FSM, 1986-1988, Editor/Writer
. Christ Ambassadors Fellowship, Pasig, Philippines, 1984-1986, Secretary
. Pasig Bethel Temple, Manila, Philippines, 1983-1986, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Youth Worker

Other Work Experience

· Merchant Services Representative, Bank of America, Spokane, WA, January 1998 - August 1998
· Secretary/Receptionist, Celso Delmundo MD, PC, Chicago, Illinois, August 1993 - June 1994
· New Accounts Representative; Teller, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Manila, Philippines, August 1981 - June 1986
· Secretary/Receptionist, Countryside Medical Dental Clinic, Manila, Philippines, March 1980 – July 1981


Bio

Cielito Brekke teaches ESL to immigrants and refugees at the Adult Basic Education division of Spokane Community College.  She has been teaching ESL for 30 years.  She taught ESL in the Federated States of Micronesia for 7 years, and has been teaching ESL at SCC for 23 years.  Cielito has a Master of Education degree, major in Adult Education, with emphasis in ESL literacy from Eastern Washington University.

Cielito also taught at Whitworth University, School of Education and TESOL Program as an adjunct instructor.  She also taught in the Master in Teaching ESL department of Gonzaga University.  She has conducted numerous ESL literacy training workshops at the Institute for Extended Learning/SCC, Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Jewish Family Services, Columbus, Ohio. She was a guest lecturer/speaker on several occasions to student teachers enrolled in the ESL teacher certification program of Eastern Washington University.  She often speaks and presents in the MA/TESL program of Gonzaga University and ELL Endorsement program of Whitworth University. She has also given ESL literacy presentations at Spokane ESL Regional Conferences, at international TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) conferences, and at the national COABE (Commission on Adult Basic Education) conference. She also published a curriculum for ESL teachers, tutors, and volunteers on the COABE and Proliteracy web sites. 

Cielito received the Exceptional Faculty Award given by the Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation and the Spokane Teachers Credit Union in September 2008. She also won the Incentive Grant award from Commission on Adult Basic Education in 2008, CCS Foundation Mini-Grant Award in 2009, and the IEL/SCC Equity Diversity Mini-Grant in 2011. Other awards that she has received include the Commendable Service Award from College of Micronesia in 1993, and the Outstanding Service and Contributions Award from Berea Christian School in 1992. Both awards were given when she was teaching in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Cielito has received numerous stipends from the Institute for Extended Learning/SCC to work on ESL literacy projects: developing ESL assessments, writing ESL curricula, facilitating ESL literacy workshops, writing a manual for training ESL tutors and volunteers, and designing an ESL literacy website.

Cielito has served on numerous professional committees. At the ABE/ESL division, Cielito has served on the following committees: Academic Support Program, BEdA Employee Handbook, College and Career Readiness Standards, ESL Assessment, ESL Curriculum, ESL Program Review, ESL Steering, Faculty Development, FT Faculty Executive, Graduation, Professional Development, SCC Building 15, and Technology Committee. At SCC, Cielito serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Global Awareness Committee and Student Holistic Supports-Guided Pathways Committee. She also currently sits on the District Equity Council of the Community Colleges of Spokane. At the College of Micronesia and Berea Christian School, she served on the World History Steering Committee, ESL Steering Committee, Micronesian Civics Steering Committee, Student Government Committee, and Social Studies Steering Committee.

Cielito is married and has two wonderful adult children.
Cielito Brekke teaches ESL to immigrants and refugees at the Adult Basic Education division of Spokane Community College.  She has been teaching ESL for 30 years.  She taught ESL in the Federated States of Micronesia for 7 years, and has been teaching ESL at SCC for 23 years.  Cielito has a Master of Education degree, major in Adult Education, with emphasis in ESL literacy from Eastern Washington University.

Cielito also taught at Whitworth University, School of Education and TESOL Program as an adjunct instructor.  She also taught in the Master in Teaching ESL department of Gonzaga University.  She has conducted numerous ESL literacy training workshops at the Institute for Extended Learning/SCC, Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Jewish Family Services, Columbus, Ohio. She was a guest lecturer/speaker on several occasions to student teachers enrolled in the ESL teacher certification program of Eastern Washington University.  She often speaks and presents in the MA/TESL program of Gonzaga University and ELL Endorsement program of Whitworth University. She has also given ESL literacy presentations at Spokane ESL Regional Conferences, at international TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) conferences, and at the national COABE (Commission on Adult Basic Education) conference. She also published a curriculum for ESL teachers, tutors, and volunteers on the COABE and Proliteracy web sites. In September 2008, Cielito received the Exceptional Faculty Award given by the Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation and the Spokane Teachers Credit Union. She also won the Incentive Grant award from Commission on Adult Basic Education in 2008, CCS Foundation Mini-Grant Award in 2009, and the IEL/SCC Equity Diversity Mini-Grant in 2011. Other awards that she has received include the Commendable Service Award from College of Micronesia in 1993, and the Outstanding Service and Contributions Award from Berea Christian School in 1992. Both awards were given when she was teaching in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Cielito has received numerous stipends from the Institute for Extended Learning/SCC to work on ESL literacy projects: developing ESL assessments, writing ESL curricula, facilitating ESL literacy workshops, writing a manual for training ESL tutors and volunteers, and designing an ESL literacy website.

Cielito has served on numerous professional committees. At the ABE/ESL division, Cielito has served on the following committees: Academic Support Program, BEdA Employee Handbook, College and Career Readiness Standards, ESL Assessment, ESL Curriculum, ESL Program Review, ESL Steering, Faculty Development, FT Faculty Executive, Graduation, Professional Development, SCC Building 15, and Technology Committee. At SCC, Cielito serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Global Awareness Committee and Student Holistic Supports-Guided Pathways Committee. She also currently sits on the District Equity Council of the Community Colleges of Spokane. At the College of Micronesia and Berea Christian School, she served on the World History Steering Committee, ESL Steering Committee, Micronesian Civics Steering Committee, Student Government Committee, and Social Studies Steering Committee.

Cielito is married and has two wonderful adult children.