MIMI LOFTUS

Fusion Academy is a private school with a 1-1 student-teacher ratio. As a teacher/mentor, I customize the curriculum I teach to meet each student’s learning style and interests, while tailoring the instruction to capitalize on strengths and develop academic and life skills. I teach grades 9-12 and a range of students from those on the spectrum to those concurrently enrolled in a university. My focus is on the whole person, and I draw from the vast experience of humanity to design and implement lessons. I am Lead Teacher (advisor) for twelve students, serve as liaison for all Lead Teachers, and seriously uphold the mandate in our mission to cultivate and maintain a culture of compassion and tolerance, with a dash of wackiness.

As Curriculum Specialist, I create study and test prep materials used to complement the workbooks published by academic and testing organizations. For each new student, I analyze specific areas of need based on college readiness assessments, and recommend a particular academic plan. As Senior Tutor, I work primarily with private students, but teach classes on occasion. While the primary focus is test prep, we also cater to specific subject tutoring as well as help students to foster practical academic skills and productive study habits.

• Develop proprietary materials based on North Carolina and Common Core standards for K-12 in all subjects
• Develop and implement comprehensive academic plans tailored for each student
• Conduct specialized private tutor sessions for ACT, AP, PSAT, SAT, and SSAT test preparation
• Maintain regular communication with parents to chronicle progress through detailed session notes

This position encompassed Director of the Writing Center (WC) and Director of Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC). In those capacities, I was responsible for all academic support initiatives within the realm of the WC and WAC, most of which I created independently or developed in committee.

• Transformed English lab to vibrant Writing Center where usage increased 90% in one semester
• Hired and managed staff of twelve professional tutors and ten student workers
• Established Peer Editing, and Technical and Business Support programs staffed by student workers
• Developed unique workshops and seminars tailored to address specific needs and abilities of classes
• Worked with 5 school deans to implement Writing Across the Curriculum on two campuses
• Wrote and conducted faculty and staff workshops
• Created and conducted research & writing workshops
• Coordinated Bronx campus Honors Program
• Member English Placement Test Committee
• Member Outcomes Assessment Committee
• Member of Online Division Summit
• Developed 5-year plan for Learning Centers
• Created and piloted academic support program for Online Division