Education
M.A., English, 2007
Gannon University, Erie, PA
Thesis: Puerto Rican Lost: An Exploration of Ethnic Identity
B.A., English, 2004
Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA
Minor in Asian Studies
Secondary Education Certification
Experience
Adjunct Instructor of English, 2013 – Present
Southern New Hampshire University
Assistant Boxing Coach, 2012 – Present
Sorenson Multicultural and Unity Fitness Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Coordinator of Tutorial Services and Supplemental Instruction, 2012
Gannon University, Erie, PA
- Staffed, trained, and coordinated peer tutors and supplemental instruction leaders
- Collected and analyzed data to evaluate and improve services
Course Mentor, 2009 – 2012
Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT
- Mentored students in LAE1 Language and Communication: Essay, LAT1 Language and Communication: Research, and LUT1 Language and Communication: Presentation
- Revised the LAE1 course of study and its primary learning resource
- Regularly conducted outreach to assist struggling students
Instructor of English, 2007 – 2009
Mercyhurst College North East, North East, PA
- Taught ENG 098 Developmental Writing, ENG 100 Critical and Evaluative Reading, ENG 101 College Writing I, ENG 102 College Writing II, ENG 204 Introduction to African American Literature, and SPCH 101 Public Speaking
- Revised the ENG 100 course curriculum to emphasize the connection between reading and writing
- Revised and coordinated the nomination and selection process for graduation awards
- Coordinated and participated in a series of readings for poetry month
Teaching Assistant, 2005 – 2007
Gannon University, Erie, PA
- Taught LENG 111 College Composition and LENG 112 Critical Analysis and Composition
- Served as the assistant director of the writing center
English Teacher, 2004 – 2005
Linesville High School, Linesville, PA
- Taught eighth-grade English
- Coached the cross-country team
Karate Instructor/Studio Owner, 1993 – 2004
Otero Goshin Jutsu Karate Dojo, Erie, PA
- Instructed students of various ages and backgrounds
- Managed all aspects of the business
Military Experience
Team Leader, 2000 – 2006
Company B 1-112th INF (M), Meadville, PA
- Led an infantry squad during training
- Distributed supplies to victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita
Infantry Soldier, 1989 – 1995
Company C 1-112th INF, Erie, PA
Conference Presentations
- “On Feeding the Soul.” Foodways and the Arts: Colloquium on the Americas: Food & Foodways in the Americas. Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA 04/2012.
- “Cool Dreams and Salty Air.” Displacement, Fear, and Movement in the West as a Means of Discovery: Western Literature Association Annual Conference. Western Literature Association, Missoula, MT 10/2011.
Poetry Readings
- Women of Word/Man-made Words. Behrend College, Erie, PA 04/2012.
- Invited Artists Series. International Fellowship of Poets and Spoken Word Artists, Erie, PA 01/2012.
Poetry Publications
- “Taste the Water.” Bird’s Eye ReView: Poetry From a Different Perspective, 2012.
- “Looking for Gumballs” and “The Woman Who Brought Us the News.” 605 Magazine, 2010.
- “Cuchifrito.” North American Review, 2009.
- “The Spanish I Speak in My Dreams” and “Progress.” Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, 2009.
- “My Mother Wrote Poems” and “Villanelle of the Alcoholic’s Promise.” Samsara Magazine, 2008.
- “The King of Tomatoes.” Blue Collar Review, 2008.
- “Macheteros.” Blue Collar Review, 2007.
Honors/Activities
- Supplemental Instruction Supervisor Workshop, 2012
- Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, 2010
- Wasatch Iron Pen Winner for Poetry, 2009
- Gannon University Graduate Studies Award for Scholastic Excellence in English, 2007
- Gannon University Graduate Poetry Contest Honorable Mention, 2006, 2007
- Gannon University Teaching Assistantship, 2005 – 2007
- Mercyhurst College Catherine McAuley Adult Undergraduate Award, 2004
- ETS Recognition of Excellence, 2004
- Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society, 2001
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Recipient, 2000 – 2004
- Alpha Sigma Lambda Adult Learners Honor Society, 2000
Jose Luis Otero II 
Sensei Otero, greetings from Atlanta. I like what you have to say about your martial arts path, and I especially like the customs and traditions you obviously emphasize in your programs. By way of background, I’m a former police officer, law enforcement agency director, college Judo Instructor, and Karate/TaeKwonDo competitor. It saddens me to see what martial arts have become now days in too many arenas. What used to be called “integrated martial arts” years ago is now called “mixed martial arts.” However, what has changed most is the tough guy/gal attitudes that evolve, disregarding the traditions (humility) that made the martial arts so worthwhile both mentally and physically. I very much miss training and teaching, however, an arthritic left knee makes it difficult for me to execute many of the skills I used to pride myself on. I also taught Goshin Jutsu No Waza emphasizing street useable techniques that could be applied effectively (much like Krav Maga), however, we too maintained the customs and traditions, and awarded kyu and dan ranks. In any event, best of luck and keep up the good work.
Regards,
Jon Crosby
Thanks for the comment, Jon. There are some people out there that are focused on being tough, but there are still many people who train for the love of the arts. I’ve been lucky in being able to find good people to train with and learn from. It sounds like you’ve had plenty of good training as well.
Jose