Tanja Szabo

All in One: Teacher, Trainer, Materials Developer and Mentor

Target pay: $100,000/yr

Tanja Szabo

Teaching Professional

Resume

Tanja Szabo

All in One: Teacher, Trainer, Materials Developer and Mentor

Arlington, VA, United States

Professional Summary

Active Secret Security Clearance (June 2025). Program management, curriculum development, instruction, mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration experience across higher education, federal training, and language education programs.

Experience

Instructor, International Fellows Graduate Writing and Research

National Defense University • Ft. McNair, Washington DC

Jul 2026 - Present

Instructing International Fellows in graduate level writing and research.

Deputy Course Chair Coordinator – Office of Management Communication Training

National Foreign Affairs Language Center (formerly FSI), US Department of State • Arlington, VA

Feb 2025 - Apr 2026

  • Facilitated communication courses for State Department officers and staff.
  • Developed materials with PowerPoint, Canva, Stream, and other MS 365 and Google Workspace applications.
  • Wrote comprehensive facilitator guides.
  • Developed and recorded stand-alone, self-paced instructional microlearnings based on client needs.

Associate Professor - Career Skills Development, English for Heritage Language Speakers Program

Georgetown University • Washington, D.C.

Jan 2020 - Dec 2025

  • Instructed career development skills to scholarship recipients in the congressionally mandated Department of Defense National Security Education Program initiative, organizing federal representative presentations, coursework, and one-on-one counseling sessions. Developed materials with PowerPoint, Big Interview, and Google Workspace applications. Developed and regularly updated a detailed facilitator guide for the eight-month course. Guided students on federal careers and pathways. Maintained regular communication with Intelligence Community and government contractor recruiters.
  • Collaborated extensively with NSEP (DOD’s National Security Education Program) and CAL (Center for Applied Linguistics) on the EHLS grant for over a decade. Coordinated federal and contractor representatives to present employment opportunities, facilitate communication between students and employers, and ensure timely and appropriate feedback.

Full-Time Editor

AECOM Management Services • Chantilly, VA

Jan 2019 - Dec 2019

  • Edited open-source content translated by non-native speakers for government clients for the Africa Desk.
  • Managed a team of eight SME linguists to ensure quality OSE products as per client needs and timetables, according to OSE guidelines.
  • Streamlined team productivity when the office transitioned to Office365.

Curriculum Developer

Georgetown University • Washington, DC

Jan 2007 - Dec 2008

Developed and launched 200+ hour full course life cycle curriculum for the Online Teacher Training TEFL Certification Program for the Center for Language Education and Development (CLED) using key principles of the ADDIE and Backward Design instructional design models.

Adjunct Professor

Georgetown University

Jan 2005 - Dec 2007

Designed and facilitated courses academic development and professional communication skills for foreign students aspiring to US university degree programs.

Director of Studies

Inlingua School of Languages • Arlington, VA

Jan 1998 - Dec 2005

  • Oversaw the direction of programs for 300+ students. Developed individualized and group language programs. Hired, managed, and evaluated teachers, and provided academic counseling for students. Developed courses for curriculum expansion, and led training workshops. Developed a 160-hour in-person TEFL Certification course. Worked with accreditation coordinators to achieve 2002 accreditation. Contributed to a 20% growth in student enrollment over nine months.
  • Partnered with internal and external stakeholders to launch and sustain the first IELTS Center in the United States. Ensured seamless test delivery and results communication through effective cross-team collaboration. Led examiner training sessions for 20 years.
  • Worked closely with accreditation coordinators to successfully achieve school accreditation.

Adjunct Professor

John Hopkins SAIS • Washington, DC

Jan 2007 - Jul 2018

  • Designed and instructed advanced Listening and Speaking/Reading Writing English courses to non-native English-speaking SAIS graduate students.
  • Created engaging materials, drawn from (news, podcasts, thinktanks, and online channels) based on current topics related to their studies and future work contexts.
  • Worked collaboratively with colleagues to streamline and cross reference materials.

Instructor, Developer

Georgetown University - Washington, DC • Washington DC

May 2013 - Jun 2019

Education

George Mason University

Master of Arts • Applied Linguistics

Jan 2009 - Jun 2011

George Washington University

Master of Arts • Cultural Geography

May 1995 - Jun 2001

George Washington University

Bachelor of Arts • International Affairs, Latin American Studies

Sep 1989 - May 1992

Skills

Program ManagementCurriculum DevelopmentInstructionMentoringCross-Functional CollaborationLeadershipMS Office 365 Suite and appsGoogle Workspace and appsBlackboardCanvasCanvaArticulateStreamZoomSlackAI search platformsinteractive integrated tool development

Certifications

Instructional Design/Needs Analysis

LinkedIn Learning

Oct 2024

DELTA

Cambridge University

Dec 2004

CELTA

Aug 1993

Languages

Spanish • proficientGerman • conversationalFrench • conversational

Links

Add portfolio or profile links to help employers learn more.

Career Focus

Roles

Instructional Designer, Career Development Coach/Trainer, Writing Instructor, Editor, Program Manager, E-Learning Designer and Instructor, Contractor for US National Defense

Work style

On-Site, Hybrid

Employment

Full-Time

Target pay

$100,000 yearly