Cal Jordan Powers
EDUCATION
WEAVER • WONDERER • WORDSMITH
Educator • Researcher • Leader • Advocate • Organizer
GRADUATE STUDIES
Master of Arts
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey
Teaching World Languages
Specialization in Program Administration
2019–2021 • Monterey, CA
In 2021, Cal graduated Magna Cum Laude after mastering skills in pedagogy, curriculum development, instruction and assessment design, classroom management theories, empirical research methodology, technology-assisted language learning, and academic publishing. The Specialization in Language Program Administration allowed Cal to study teacher education, leadership, supervision, project management, marketing, recruiting and training, budgeting and resource management.
World Language Education
While at MIIS, Cal studied:
Cal studied theories and practices of world language education in courses such as Principles and Practices of Language Teaching, Language Assessment & Analysis, Second Language Acquisition, Mobile-Assisted Language Learning, Pedagogical Grammar, and Teaching of Speaking & Listening. At the end of the program, Cal completed a Practicum Capstone, working in the French department teaching graduate courses on francophone cultures around the world.
Administration & Leadership
Cal specialized in Language Program Administration, which offered hands-on experience and courses in Teacher Supervision, Teacher Education, Leadership in Language Education, Program Administration, Managing People and Resources in Cross-Cultural Contexts, International Marketing and Recruiting, Comparative International Education, and Working with Self & Others. Working under Dr. Kathi Bailey, Cal gained extensive experience in coordinating leadership in education.
Education Research Methodology
International Education Management
Cal took a course in Education Research Methods, mastering skills in research design and data analytics, then put those skills into practice in an elective course on Applied Linguistics Research. Cal adapted a collection of class projects into an Applied Linguistics Capstone, focusing on teacher burnout during the pandemic. While studying, Cal worked as the Graduate Research Assistant to the Program Chair, Dr. Kathi Bailey, a prolific researcher in leadership in WLE.
Part of the specialization allowed Cal to take courses in Comparative International Education, Managing People and Resources in Cross-Cultural Contexts, International Marketing and Recruiting, learning valuable skills in the administrative and managerial responsibilities of running education programs. Through coursework, Cal interviewed learners, educators, and leaders, giving Cal access to valuable professional knowledge as well as experiential learning.
DEI & SEL in Education
In several courses, Cal had the opportunity to gain knowledge in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion practices and the integration of Social Emotional Learning into curricula. While studying, Cal volunteered to co-chair the first virtual student-led professional development conference for language educators at MIIS, responding to the George Floyd protests in 2020 to select the conference theme of Racial Inequities in World Language Education. Cal’s LPA courses featured teacher advocacy research in many class readings and class projects.
After exploring the topic of EdTech in an undergraduate honors thesis, Cal decided to pursue technology in language education further throughout all projects and courses in graduate school. Taught by EdTech researcher Dr. Thor Sawin, Cal took a course in Mobile-Assisted Language Learning, mastering the concepts of affordances, teaching in virtual reality, and not just integrating but alchemizing education using modern technology. Outside of class, Cal attended professional development conferences and workshops related to EdTech like the 2020 CALICO conference.
EdTech & Innovations
While studying at MIIS, Cal worked as Graduate Research Assistant and Editorial Assistant, Program Ambassador, French Teaching Assistant, Departmental French Tutor and Summer Intensive Program French Tutor & Activity Guide, New Student Cohort Coordinator, and volunteered to Co-Chair the SOWLE 2020 conference. Putting theory into practice, Cal gained valuable and career-changing experience in academic research publishing while studying at MIIS. Cal organized a virtual professional development organization, served in an editorial capacity for two research volumes and a teacher education textbook, served as Editor of the department’s annual newsletter and weekly bulletin, and created a series of alumni panels.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Bachelor of Arts
Cal graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors after three years at UNT studying French, Spanish, and Japanese language, culture, literature, poetry, grammar, cuisine, and creative writing. In 2017, Cal studied abroad in Tours, France at the Université François Rabelais studying French linguistics, literature, grammar, and culture and volunteering teaching English and American culture. In 2018, Cal published an Honors Thesis studying the beliefs of students regarding technology use in world language classrooms.
University of North Texas
French Language & Cultures
Minor in Spanish Language & Cultures
2015–2018 • Denton, TX
While at UNT, Cal studied:
World Languages & Cultures
After studying French in High School for four years, Cal went to UNT to majoring in French Language and Cultures allowed Cal to take advanced courses in French Grammar, Phonology & Pronunciation, Conversation, Advanced French Poetry, and Advanced French Composition. Cal explored global Francophone cultures further in courses like the Francophone World and the Role of Food in France. Cal took two-years worth of Japanese courses, moving from Elementary through Intermediate classes gaining knowledge in Japanese language and culture. After choosing to complete a Spanish minor, Cal completed an advanced-paced summer program, passing two-years-worth of Spanish classes over two weeks which allowed Cal to focus on advanced courses the following semesters in Advanced Grammar, Pronunciation, Composition, and Idioms.
The purpose of the Honors College at UNT is to prepare students for graduate study, career building, lifetime learning, academic challenges, and intellectual growth in a world of opportunity to train for a world of accomplishment ahead of them as contributing members of society. As a member of the Honors College at UNT and seeking to make the most of faculty expertise to prepare for graduate school, Cal volunteered to complete an honors thesis. While mentoring with professor Dr. Lawrence Williams, Cal researched the beliefs and attitudes of university students toward the value of using language learning apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone as support to their in-class learning. This thesis was published in the North Texas Journal of Undergraduate Research and began Cal’s love for researching educational technology as well as survey-driven research.
Honors Thesis on EdTech
Many of the courses Cal chose to take had a focus on literature, composition, and the arts, such as Honors English Composition I & II, Advanced Poetry in French, Advanced French Composition, Advanced Spanish Composition, and Honors Art Appreciation. Cal learned the ins and outs of the composition planning, copyediting, and proofing processes as well as advanced studies in diverse writing styles and languages. This experience allowed Cal to turn passion into profession.
Literature, Composition, & The Arts
Community & Society
Cal took courses that explored building community and other societal systems, such as American Government, Honors American Government, Marketing Cultures and Consumption, The Solar System, The Good Society Honors, and French Media & Current Events. These courses gave Cal insight into the ways in which society works, as well as how society fails certain communities. Cal put passion for social justice into practice, serving as an officer in GLAD: UNT’s student union for LGBTQ2S+ youth, for over two years.
While studying in Tours, Cal reached a deeper understanding of French language and cultures by taking courses in French literature, grammar, society, and current media. One of the most impactful courses was on linguistics, in which Cal explored the origins and evolution of language. While studying, Cal volunteered as a teacher in the university’s tandem language learning program, where students tutored each other in their respective languages and cultures, solidifying Cal’s love for teaching global languages and cultures.
Université de Tours, François Rabelais
Semester Abroad
Studying French Language & Culture Abroad
Focus on Linguistics & Literature
2017–2018 • Tours, France
Cal’s Portfolios
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