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ELLIS BEASLEY LONG
Professor of Spanish and Foreign Language Department Chair
Thomas Nelson Community College
(757) 825-2788



EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, August, 1996. Course work included Academic Summer Program in Spain, 1987 and 1988. Dissertation: "Male/Female Gender Arrangements in Three Plays by Miguel Mihura: Una mujer cualquiera, A media luz los tres, and Las entretenidas." Minor: Political Science.

Master of Arts in Spanish language and literature, New York University, New York, NY, 1972. Course work included Graduate Year at the University of Madrid, Spain, 1967-68.

Bachelor of Arts in modern European history, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA, 1963. Course work included Junior Year at the University of Madrid, Spain, 1961-62.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

PROFESSOR OF SPANISH and Foreign Language Department Head, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, VA, August 2001 to present. Associate Professor of Spanish and Foreign Language Department Head, August 1998 to August 2001. Assistant Professor of Spanish, August 1996 to August 1998. Responsibilities as department head include creating course schedules, assisting with textbook selections, and submitting textbook orders; revising the curriculum; planning the new language laboratory; determining needs for hardware and software; advising and placing students; evaluating candidates for instructional assistant position; and supervising and evaluating adjunct faculty members, instructional assistant, and work studies. Teach Beginning Spanish I and II and Intermediate Spanish I and II. Faculty sponsor of Dance Club and Spanish Club in 1997 and 1998. Coordinator of Foreign Language Evening for the college and the community annually in the spring, 1999-2004.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SPANISH, Judson College, Marion, AL, August 1986 to August 1993. Acting Chair, Modern Foreign Language Department, August 1991 to August 1993. Had sole responsibility for the undergraduate Spanish program, including curriculum design and planning; determining major, minor, and concentration requirements; placement; advising; budget; projected needs assessment; equipping and supervising the language laboratory; and teaching all courses. Taught Elementary Spanish, Intermediate Spanish, Spanish Conversation, Spanish Composition, Spanish Civilization, Commercial Spanish, Advanced Composition, Conversation and Phonetics, Survey of Spanish Literature, and Twentieth Century Spanish Literature. Chair of International Studies Committee, 1992-93.

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT IN SPANISH, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, August 1986 to December 1990. Taught first- and second-year Spanish at the University, second- and third-year Spanish in the Academic Summer Program in Spain, 1987 and 1988. Taught Elementary Spanish, Intermediate Spanish, Advanced Grammar and Composition, and Survey of Spanish Literature.

INSTRUCTOR IN SPANISH, Marion Academy, Marion, AL, August 1989 to May 1990. Created and implemented an experimental language development program for eighth and ninth grades, based on the Natural Approach and Total Physical Response.

READING TEACHER, Hatch High School, Uniontown, AL, January 1970 to June 1970. Developed reading skills in eighth grade students with a vast range of abilities. Used S.R.A. materials and techniques to awaken interest in reading. Improved reading comprehension as demonstrated by test results.

SPANISH TEACHER, Montessori School of the Woods, Houston, TX, January 1969 to June 1969. Adapted Montessori methods to create a Spanish learning environment for pre-school children, ages 2-6. Introduced innovative materials. Guided students' curiosity to present new vocabulary.

SPANISH TEACHER, DeZavala Elementary School, Houston, TX, January 1966 to June 1966. Developed correct Spanish usage in Spanish-speaking children of first and second grades. Employed a variety of audio-visual materials. Directed class activities to achieve optimum individual response and group participation. Focused on strengthening pride in cultural ties.

SPANISH LANGUAGE LABORATORY INSTRUCTOR, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA, September 1962 to June 1963. Conducted classes exclusively in Spanish. Concentrated on pronunciation, grammar, and syntax using tapes and records. Generated enthusiasm for the language. Stimulated interest in Hispanic culture.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, Judson College, Marion, AL, August 1991 to August 1993. Responsible for the maintenance of academic records in computer files; data entry related to the scheduling of classes, registration, schedule changes, and class rolls; and for creating examination schedules, posting grades, producing grade reports, issuing transcripts, and advising students on the completion of their degree requirements.

PARTNER AND MANAGER of Panorama Properties, a full service real estate and property management company in Houston, TX, September 1978 to August 1986. Active in commercial and residential sales, leasing, and property management. Directed all aspects of management of a $4 million real estate portfolio for clients from all over the world, including Latin America. Used Spanish frequently to communicate with owners, tenants, and service personnel.

PARTNER AND MANAGER of Uniontown Milling Company, a cotton gin in Uniontown, AL, September 1965 to December 1972. Responsible for entire operation of seasonal business, including financial arrangements, supervision of labor, and public relations. Acquired administrative and organizational skills that have proved invaluable in teaching.

PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER in health and community development in El Banco, Colombia, July 1963 to July 1965. Planned and implemented basic preventive health programs in cooperation with health center. Reorganized community action group and assisted in fund-raising projects to build a school. Organized clubs for women and girls and taught nutrition courses. Established a Laubach adult literacy program based on the one-to-one method of teaching. Prepared and participated in a weekly radio program on prenatal and child care. Used Spanish daily for communication, in health and community development work, and in teaching.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages

Foreign Language Association of Virginia

International Association for Language Learning Technology - Southeast Region

Modern Language Association of America

Sigma Delta Pi

Southern Conference on Language Teaching (Advisory Board)


HONORS

Graduate Fellowship, The University of Alabama, 1967

Sweet Briar College Scholarship, 1959-60, 1960-61, and 1962-63

Sweet Briar College Alumnae Club of Houston Scholarship, 1959-60 and 1960-61




Updated March 9, 2004