Elisa Frias
Lancaster
Summary
Accomplished educator with expertise in curriculum development and instructional leadership at SOAR High School. Spearheaded initiatives enhancing educator effectiveness and student engagement. Proven track record in professional development, fostering cultural competency and critical thinking. Expanded English 12 Ethnic Cultures program by over 100%, demonstrating adaptability and strategic vision.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Teacher and Department Chair
SOAR High School
Palmdale
08.2024 - Current
- Plan and execute rigorous curriculum to challenge students within Early College High School setting
- Lead department meetings to align efforts towards achieving shared academic goals
- Deliver comprehensive professional development across school to enhance educator effectiveness
Teacher Consultant
CSUN Writing Project
Northridge
08.2011 - Current
- Prepare and deliver professional development to teachers from across Southern California
Professional Development Leader
Antelope Valley Union High School District
Lancaster
01.2009 - Current
- Using Adult Learning Theory, prepare and deliver professional development on a regular basis
- Expertise include AVID Critical Reading Curriculum, the Core Instructional Model used district-wide, and Literacy Across the Curriculum
Curriculum Development Chair
Antelope Valley Union High School District
Lancaster
09.2021 - 04.2025
- Led team of English Language Arts teachers to develop and implement district-wide curriculum for new courses, enhancing educational offerings
- Served as Lead Writer/Curriculum Designer for English 12 Ethnic Cultures and English 10 Ethnic Cultures, ensuring alignment with district goals
- Facilitated meetings for text review and adoption, streamlining implementation process across the district
English Language Arts Department Chair
Lancaster High School
Lancaster
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Facilitated department-wide meetings with special ed, general ed, and AP ELA teachers to promote collaboration and share best practices.
- Communicated clear expectations to department members, fostering alignment and enhancing instructional strategies.
- Assisted teachers in setting and meeting professional goals, such as delivering high-quality instruction
Instructional Partner
Lancaster High School
Lancaster
08.2009 - 06.2024
- Conducted classroom observations to identify areas for teacher development
- Coached new and experienced teachers on classroom management, instructional strategy, and literacy to enhance instructional effectiveness
- Developed collaborative partnerships with local organizations to support student programs.
- Facilitated workshops for staff to enhance teaching strategies and student engagement.
- Coordinated events that promoted community involvement in school activities and initiatives.
Teacher
Lancaster High School
Lancaster
08.2004 - 06.2024
- Taught English Language Arts at multiple levels, including Advanced Placement English Language
- Taught AVID Senior Seminar, guiding underrepresented students toward college admissions
- Piloted and expanded English 12 Ethnic Cultures, doubling program enrollment within 2 years
- Taught English Language Arts at multiple levels, including Advanced Placement English Language
- Taught cohorted students within the Multimedia and Engineering Academy
Robotics Adviser
Lancaster High School
Lancaster
08.2015 - 05.2018
- Made strategic leadership decisions that shifted team culture, fostered inclusivity in learning environment, and aligned school with team demographics
- Led team to achieve two Chairman’s Awards and one regional win
WASC Coordinator
Lancaster High School
Lancaster
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Ensured democratic participation in schoolwide self-study
- Compiled, edited, and formatted self-study documents from all departments
- Wrote significant portions of the self-study
- Resulted in 6-year accreditation with a 3-year review
Education
Certificate - Data Privacy And Technology
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA04-2025
Certificate - Ethnic Studies Education
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA09-2024
Single-Subject Teaching Credential - Social Studies
California State University, Bakersfield
AVC extension, CA01.2024
M.A. - Communications Studies
California State University, Northridge
05.2015
M.A. - Education
Chapman University
Palmdale extension campus, CA01.2010
Single-Subject Teaching Credential - English Language Arts
Chapman University
Palmdale extension campus, CA01.2005
B.A. - Communications
California State University, Bakersfield
AVC extension, CA05.2003
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Instructional leadership
- Professional development
- Data analysis
- Educational technology
- Critical thinking
- Cultural competency
- Instructional best practices
- Flexible and adaptive
- Inquiry-based learning
- Digital literacy
- AI literacy
Languages
Spanish, Working knowledge
Awards
- 2018, Lancaster High School Teacher of the Year
- 2014, Kent Joel Snyder Award, CSUN Dept. of COMS Studies
Publications
- 2025, Storying the Classroom: Why ELA is the Perfect Place for Ethnic Studies, Norton Learning Blog (Aug. 12, 2025)
- 2025, Pay No Attention to the Tech Bros Behind the Curtain, California English (Vol.30, No 3)
- 2023, Open Eyes on OpenAI, California English (Vol.29, No 2)
- 2023, The Urgency and Relevance of Indigenous Stories, California English (Vol.29, No 1)
- 2022, Uprooting Censorship by Telling More Stories, California English (Vol.28, No 2)
- 2012, Everyday Action, CSUN’s CAPTURED: Student Research Journal
Grant Writing
- 2023, Co-wrote and submitted a “New to ATE” grant to the National Science Foundation on behalf of Antelope Valley Adult Ed. and Antelope Valley College. Grant moved to phase 2 of consideration. Awards to be announced later in 2024.
- 2022, Co-wrote and submitted two California Apprenticeship Initiative (CAI) grants that were successfully awarded to Antelope Valley Adult Education.
- 2015-2020, Wrote and submitted a number of grants that were successfully awarded to Lancaster High’s Eagle Robotics Team 399. (Funding sources included Best Buy, California Community Colleges, and the U.S. Department of Defense.)
Presentations
- 2025, Mindful Engagement in the Age of AI, CATE Convention, Burlingame, CA, 03/01/25
- 2025, Storying the Classroom: Why ELA is a Perfect Place for Ethnic Studies, CATE Convention, Burlingame, CA, 03/01/25
- 2024, Pivot, Not Surrender: An Approach to Generative AI, Asilomar 70, Pacific Grove, CA, 10/04-06/24
- 2024, Storying the Classroom, CATE Connects (Virtual Series), 09/19/24
- 2024, Ethnic Studies in the ELA Classroom, CATE Convention, Los Angeles, CA, 03/01/24
- 2023, Ethnic Studies in the AVUHSD, Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Ethnic Studies Three-Day Fall Institute, 10/01/23
- 2023, Reclamation: Writing Our Stories to Right the Record, CATE Convention, Monterey, CA
Affiliations
Member, AI Working Group, California Department of Education
Timeline
Teacher and Department Chair
SOAR High School
08.2024 - Current
English Language Arts Department Chair
Lancaster High School
07.2023 - 06.2024
Curriculum Development Chair
Antelope Valley Union High School District
09.2021 - 04.2025
Robotics Adviser
Lancaster High School
08.2015 - 05.2018
Teacher Consultant
CSUN Writing Project
08.2011 - Current
WASC Coordinator
Lancaster High School
08.2011 - 05.2012
Instructional Partner
Lancaster High School
08.2009 - 06.2024
Professional Development Leader
Antelope Valley Union High School District
01.2009 - Current
Teacher
Lancaster High School
08.2004 - 06.2024
Certificate - Data Privacy And Technology
Harvard University
Certificate - Ethnic Studies Education
University of California, Riverside
Single-Subject Teaching Credential - Social Studies
California State University, Bakersfield
M.A. - Communications Studies
California State University, Northridge
M.A. - Education
Chapman University
Single-Subject Teaching Credential - English Language Arts
Chapman University
B.A. - Communications
California State University, Bakersfield