⟨ Laura Elias ⟩
Full-stack web developer based in Minnesota, with a background in higher education and linguistics.
Welcome
to my portfolio!
A bit about me...
When finally forced to admit that I needed a new career avenue with better employment prospects, web development was an easy choice. As an undergrad, I had totally enjoyed a programming class that I took, and even considered majoring in computer science, so I didn't hesitate to jump into a 12-week full-stack web development bootcamp at the University of Minnesota. Then I went on to Thinkful's 5-month Engineering Immersion program to further develop my skills.
I especially enjoy front-end web development. I have a keen eye for UX, and I love working with CSS. For example, this portfolio uses Flexbox and has a handful of CSS "easter eggs" tucked in just for fun. Also, each project included under "Projects" is styled differently, just to practice implementing a variety styles.
Since I have a wide range of interests, my web development career path could take several possible directions...
⮱ My experience in higher education has given me an insider perspective of the technology needs of post-secondary students and faculty, with hands-on experience of various educational applications (both good and not-so-good), so I have an authentic first-hand perspective for UX issues. Also, coming from the field of linguistics and language education, I am excited about the possibilities for application development in the area of language instruction.
⮱ Another area that fascinates me is speech recognition and production. I have a knack for analyzing pronunciation patterns, and my ear automatically tunes in to computer generated speech (whether I want to or not!) I instinctively analyze the unnatural sounding features of techno-voices, and I often find myself thinking things such as: "I wonder if they realize that in 'X' context, 'Y' sound is pronounced as 'Z'...?" I would love to some day be part of a team within the realm of computer-generated speech.
There are certainly other areas I would enjoy as a web developer, because when I’m not busy coding or writing down language examples in my notebook, you will most likely find me involved in urban farming and community gardening activities, playing my cello, hanging a cabinet, or swimming or biking with my sons.
My toolbelt...
- HTML5
- CSS
- W3-CSS
- SCSS
- Bootstrap
- Handlebars
- Materialize
- JavaScript
- JQuery
- React
- Jest
- Enzyme
- Responsive design
- Python
- Node
- Express
- Mocha/Chai
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Knex
- MongoDB
- Mongoose
My projects...
PronunciationCoach
My PronunciationCoach website: a site with resources for learners of American English. The site content comes from my experience as an ESL instructor.
This is currently a front-end only website, built with React, with some free lesson content. I will be building a back end once additional lesson content is ready.
Technologies: ReactJS / HTML5 / CSS3
Groop
This is an app for planning group activities or events. It's a combination to-do list and planning board, with a calendar function. Tasks can be delegated, categorized, priortized, and have deadlines. Team members receive points for completed tasks.
This was built as a final capstone project by a team of four members.
Technologies: ReactJS / HTML5 / CSS3 / Node / Express / Knex / PostgreSQL
Feedback Tracker
This app is for teachers, tutors, or coaches who need to keep track of the feedback they provide to their students. The feedback can be viewed by lesson date, or by topic categories.
This was a solo capstone project using React. The current version is the minimum-viable-product, and will be further developed to include additional functionality.
Technologies: ReactJS / HTML5 / CSS3 / Node / Express / Knex / PostgreSQL
Petful FIFO Adoption
This is a site for an imaginary, unique, first-in-first-out pet adoption agency, in which the animals that have been in the shelter the longest must be adopted before any others.
This was a one-day challenge project, built with pair-programming partner Shawn C. The project uses the queue data structure to manage the line-up of the pets and the adopters.
Technologies: ReactJS / HTML5 / CSS3 / Node / Express / Knex / PostgreSQL
Spanish Medical Terms
This is a spaced-repetition, flash-card style, vocabulary learning app on the theme of Spanish medical terminology. The app tracks correct and incorrect answers, and re-quizzes the words that need more practice.
This was a one-week capstone project built by a team of three members, designed to make use of a linked-list data structure.
Technologies: ReactJS / HTML5 / CSS3 / Node / Express / Knex / PostgreSQL
Basic Quiz App
To connect...
Visit my github
Find me on LinkedIn< < < < < > > > > >
Laura J Elias
laura.j.elias@gmail.comPortfolio: ljelias.github.io/LEportfolio
612-203-8893Github: github.com/ljelias
Minneapolis, MNLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-elias
Full-stack web-developer with a background in higher education and linguistics. Looking to bring experience-backed innovation to a web-development position within the areas of secondary or higher education or a language or linguistics field.
TECH STACK
MARKUP: HTML5 / CSS3 / W3-CSS / SCSS / Bootstrap / Handlebars / Materialize
FRONT END: Javascript / JQuery / React / Jest / Enzyme / Responsive Design
BACK END: Node / Express / Mocha-Chai / PostgreSQL / MySQL / Knex / MongoDB
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Engineering Immersion Program, Thinkful, January 2020
Full-Stack Web Development Boot Camp, University of Minnesota, July 2019
M.A. English as a Second Language, University of Minnesota, June 2000
M.A. Hispanic Linguistics, University of Minnesota, December 1999
B.S. Social Work (Summa Cum Laude), Winona State University, December 1987
B.A. Music (Summa Cum Laude), Winona State University, December 1987
ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
The ProfessorCoach LLC, Minneapolis, MN
Pronunciation/accent reduction consultant. May 2012 – current.
http://pronunciationcoach.com/ ~~ http://pronunciationcoach.wordpress.com/
North Central University, Minneapolis, MN
Adjunct Faculty. TEFL and Spanish Departments; 2003–2004; 2013 – 2018.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Minneapolis, MN
Adjunct Faculty. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages); August 2000 – July 2003, August 2004 – April 2011.
Intermediate and advanced ESOL courses. Curriculum development. Collaborated on assessment projects of student placement and progress. Developed placement and exit exams. Supervised student workers. Wrote instruction manuals for the digital language lab.
Translator. May – August 2004
Translated Health Care Core Curriculum from English to Spanish.
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
SPEAK Test Rater. 1995-96, July 2000 – May 2010.
Rated oral exams of English as a Second language.
Teaching Specialist. Minnesota English Center; June – August 2000.
Teaching Assistant.
Department of Spanish and Portuguese; September 1995 – May 1997.
Composition Department; September 1993 – June 1995.
Minnesota English Center; January 1991 – September 1996.
Administrative Assistant. Minnesota English Center; November 1990 – September 1996.
ETS/SPEAK Test survey project interviewer. Linguistics/ESL Reading Room attendant. Registration assistant for English program for International Teaching Assistants.
Resource Center of the Americas, Minneapolis, MN
Spanish and ESL Instructor. April 1999 – March 2001.
Southwest Christian High School, Chaska, MN
High school Instructor. March 1998 – March 2000.
High school Spanish levels I through V, German I, String Ensemble.
Century College, White Bear Lake, MN
Adjunct Faculty. Spanish Department; April 1997 – December 1998.
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
Lecturer. Intensive English as a Second Language summer program; Summer 1997.
NON-ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
US Bureau of the Census, Minneapolis, MN
Crew Leader. Spring – Summer 2000.
Supervised a team of census enumerators, assigned workloads, reviewed work for quality and accuracy, and submitted pay/work records.
ProStaff, Minneapolis, MN
Word Processing/Software Temporary. March – August 2000.
Short-term assignments at various corporations; word processing, data entry, translated customer complaints to English and reconciled financial records.
Hennepin County Family Services, Minneapolis, MN
Spanish Interpreter. Summer 1999.
Staff Plus, Minneapolis, MN
Word Processing/Office Temporary. February 1989 – September 1990.
Short-term assignments within various corporations, as a word processing and software specialist.
CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicios), St. Paul, MN
Social Work Intern. September – December 1987.
Assisted case workers with Hispanic clients seeking assistance and referrals for job searching, language learning, and transitioning into American culture.
Winona Family YMCA, Winona MN
Aquatics Supervisor & Swimming Instructor. June 1985 – July 1987.
Supervised & trained pool staff and volunteers. Developed educational & recreational programs. Co-planned and directed synchronized swimming team and water show. Scheduling, budgeting, & writing newsletter articles, PSAs, and program brochures.
OTHER ACTIVITIES and PUBLIC SERVICE
- Coordinator of St. Stephen’s Whittier Community Garden, Minneapolis MN, 2016-2018
- Past member of International TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- ESL Club Executive Committee, Department of ESL, University of Minnesota, 1994-95
- Various language/linguistics conference presentations
LANGUAGES
- Fluent in written and spoken Spanish
- Simple translation from Portuguese
- Basic written and spoken German
- Beginning Arabic