Alexis Bernard STEM Instructor Fall 2022

Alexis Bernard

(757) 653-1786 Norfolk, Virginia 23513 alexisdaniellebernard@gmail.com

October 31, 2022 Office Manager YELLOW 2697 International Parkway, Virginia Beach VA, United States, Virginia (757) 301-8514 careers@teamyellow.org

To the Hiring Manager, In brief, I am originally from Yokosuka, Japan, and I am passionate about technology, science, art, and education. I have expertise in related fields including media and communications, business and advertising, cybersecurity, as well as fine arts, and art history. I majored in Studio Art with an emphasis on Graphic Design and minored in Communication as an undergrad at Old Dominion University. For the fifth semester in a row, I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA in my Master of Cyberpsychology Program at Norfolk State University. Notably, this is the country's first accredited program for this major. As a Guyanese designer, instructor, and certified scientist that relocated to this country at 10 years old, I had to extend my knowledge to imagine beyond the confines of my physical studio and use technology to generate not only eye-catching visuals but also to craft and share important messages. With a background in theater and the performing arts, I also view the online world as a stage. Additionally, my father is a US Navy veteran that has 30+ years in IT, while my mother has been an international high school instructor for 15+ years. I also have a younger brother graduating this December with Computer Engineering from NSU. Essentially, my tech-savviness and dedication to education is an understatement. Working as an IT professional "behind the scenes," I believe I can create a perfect online digital stage that provides a safe, neutral, and stable environment for all. My 20-page capstone project centered on Generation Z is entitled, ‘Online Engagement: Investigating the Effectiveness of Digital Classrooms’. As a technology professional, community activist, and educational enthusiast, I Alexis Bernard have developed and launched educational environments that lower barriers to learning while also allowing all students/clients to gain valuable knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for higher education. I can assist students and my community to develop personal connections and the necessary communication skills

to succeed in their respective learning environments and within society by engaging in various forms of expression and engagement through STEM and art. As a leader in the rapidly changing field of cyberpsychology, my primary focus is on providing critical training and awareness to youth in online settings.

Above all, educational Institutions like YELLOW place a high value on the ability to develop a well-thought-out solution in a reasonable amount of time. Adjacent to this, I can provide insights and a fresh perspective on more efficient methods of doing things.

I can also develop solutions by working at a timely pace and effectively accepting critiques, feedback, and praise. With that, I employ considerable strategies for making ethical decisions, resolving problems in groups, and learning how to consider others' perceptions when evaluating actions or statements in learning environments. Building self-determination skills, such as self-advocacy, is a highlight of what I've been able to introduce to all of the organizations for which I've worked.

There are two points here. Firstly, I’ve been able to help students develop resiliency and tech literacy by allowing them to develop and improve their skills. Years of focus, dedication, and experience in classrooms have given me the confidence to lead in environments where students feel safe enough to make and learn from mistakes, while also providing them with the opportunities and support to do so. Through educational programs which I have led, my research has been an integral part of my teaching. I have successfully incorporated videos, interactive components, and a rich component of resources that benefit students by assisting in the development of STEM programs and art workshops. My growing interest in the field of technology stems from my analysis of specialized courses. I intend to look for mentorship opportunities and data on developing practical and effective policies. Additionally, I am eager to explore program collaborations as well as interagency assessment systems. I intend to help technology companies and educational institutions better serve key demographics while also becoming a specialist among developing youth and tech professionals. I believe that key educational and career development can make a positive change in the field and that by doing so, I can provide equal learning opportunities to all individuals. With YellowHAB, I can provide a detailed blueprint for developing educational objectives, methods, materials, and assessments that provide tailored solutions for individuals operating in specialized cyber fields and beyond. I've collaborated with individuals from all walks of life and had the opportunity to learn from and contribute to their highly specialized skills. As the instructor for multiple courses and programs, I educated students in a way that encouraged them to take personal responsibility for each skill learned. In particular, I was able to gain valuable experience in the tech sector and am now aware of how awareness and comprehension will advance the educational field.

Secondly, I am emotionally invested in early childhood education and the impact of technology in classrooms after co-founding a STEM academy for local schools in the Hampton Roads area. While fundamentally working in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake, I believe that my experience leading a diverse range of government and civilian clients, combined with my academic background, will make all of my

instructional initiatives run effortlessly. I have extensive professional experience as a former corporate Cybersecurity Marketing Analyst and Pearson Vue Certified Testing Administrator. For example, after realizing there was no resource for me to refer to as a front-end UI/UX web developer for multiple sites, I created a company-style guide for the IT training institution where I worked. The style guide research produced a consistent image for the company brand, which increased sales and visibility. My branding background has enabled me to understand not only key target demographics but also information assurance trends. Above all, I believe experts must use functional design in digital spaces when instructing students to engage in a series of positive online interactions. In 2017, I received the global EC-Council ATC Circle of Excellence Award for my dedication to cybersecurity training, education, instruction, and leadership as a result of my contributions. More recently, I attended a Netflix Advanced Data Science Bootcamp event and garnered advisory and a positive digital portfolio review from senior-level representatives at Netflix.

Ultimately, I recognize that everyone has different learning styles and cultural assumptions, and I can accommodate within the learning environment to ensure that all students have the best chance of success. I can prepare several examples to demonstrate my point and assist students in transitioning between abstract, theoretical, and concrete knowledge. I can translate empirical evidence that contributes to everyone's expansion of knowledge and experience while successfully employing inclusive teaching strategies – for example, demonstrating ideal qualities such as honesty, authenticity, and eagerness to participate in a classroom environment. I maximize my chances of succeeding by recognizing new technologies, appropriate strategies, and accommodations that are specifically targeted to demanding areas of learning. Since 2020, the internet has radically altered the way our society communicates with one another. My knowledge, skills, and values are rooted in the process of empowering students through education to feel safe and responsible with technology. I am capable of acting with responsibility, integrity, accountability, and excellence. Regardless of the job or industry, I have high work standards and strive for continuous improvement. I work with broad frameworks and combine all of my skills to demonstrate my complete package of expertise. Through my quality research, I have come to understand how critical it is to implement scientific research and inform students in a wise, calculated, and non-harmful manner, especially when working in the subfield of cyberpsychology. To establish greater credibility as a researcher and instructor, I must adhere to scientific thinking standards, which include being ethical and compassionate toward not only myself but all other living beings. Summing up, I am excited to be an instructor with YellowHAB and look forward to contributing everything I can to this groundbreaking educational program. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Alexis Bernard