MLZG
Mónica Lucía Zambrano Garza
Educational Leadership · Instructional Design · Educational Technology
Monterrey, Mexico · Mexican and Spanish citizenship · English / Spanish
monica.lucia.zambrano@gmail.com · LinkedIn
Learning through people, places, and shared experience.
Seven years in U.S. and international schools, including leadership of approximately 25 staff serving 160 students. Experienced in teacher supervision, instructional coaching, curriculum implementation, student support, and family engagement. M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction, specializing in Learning, Design & Technology.
Lived in Switzerland, Austin, Houston, and Monterrey; traveled to more than 70 countries. Brings curiosity, appreciation for different cultures, and openness to unfamiliar perspectives.
School Leadership and Teaching
American School Foundation of Monterrey
Monterrey, Mexico · August 2020 – June 2023
Head of Grade Level, 2022–2023 · Grade 6 Team Leader, 2021–2022
Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher — Ancient Civilizations
- Supervised and supported approximately 25 staff serving 160 students; helped teachers with student behavior, classroom relationships, and team collaboration.
- Facilitated professional learning communities and Student of Concern meetings; coordinated student support, family communication, and social-emotional learning with counselors, administrators, and instructional coaches.
- Taught inquiry-based Ancient Civilizations through evidence, writing, and historical perspectives. Implemented PREZKOR Publishing in 2021–2022: student teams reviewed and revised work and designs, then assembled publications in Canva.
Briarmeadow Charter School · Houston ISD
Houston, Texas · August 2016 – May 2020
Middle School English Language Arts and Reading Department Chair, 2017–2020
Grade 6 Teacher · Pre-AP English Language Arts and Reading · World Culture Studies
- Collaborated on vertical curriculum alignment, instructional planning, standards-based assessment, and differentiation for multilingual learners.
- Integrated theater and the arts, planned virtual reality lessons, and protected 40 minutes of daily sustained silent reading; built routines for choice, peer feedback, and revision.
Awards at Briarmeadow
Teacher of the Year · 2018–2019
English as a Second Language Teacher of the Year · 2017–2018 and 2019–2020
Beginning Teacher of the Year · 2016–2017
Earlier Experience
First Grade Aide, St. Austin Catholic School, Austin, Texas · April–June 2016.
Retained following the student teaching internship.
Family & Professional Development · 2023–2026
Took a planned career break to focus on raising my son while continuing to develop my interests in instructional design, educational technology, and meaningful learning experiences.
Instructional Design and Community Leadership
PREZKOR · Founder & Product Lead · February 2026–Present
Developing PREZKOR to help teachers facilitate high-quality, standards-aligned learning through clear objectives, meaningful student work, structured peer feedback, revision, and teacher-guided publishing. The goal is to make effective instructional practices easier to implement while giving students greater responsibility for their learning.
The software remains in development, building on collaborative publishing practices implemented in my ASFM classroom.
Family-Led Community Pilot · Volunteer Systems & Community Lead
June 2026–Present · Currently involved as a parent and volunteer
Co-created an opt-in community for 74 families across six classrooms, with onboarding, a private directory, interest groups, and calendars. Coordinated a 120-person welcome event with volunteers and designed an AI-assisted activity connecting new and returning families within their children’s classrooms.
Hosted 170 people for Halloween and designed a classroom “neighborhood” in a playroom, with family photos and trick-or-treating between groups. Coordinated the entire Bioparque Estrella outing. Completed a structured administrative handoff in September 2026 and continue contributing as a parent and volunteer.
Collaborative Publishing · Master’s Capstone
University of Houston · 2020
- Designed an online-magazine workshop for beginning teachers, including learner analysis, learning objectives, publishing guidance, and a self-assessment checklist.
- Formatively evaluated the workshop with four beginning teachers; identified challenges combining live instruction, creation, and feedback, and planned an asynchronous sequence.
Children’s Writing · Independent Author · Current
Developing two original children’s books for shared reading that explore values, everyday routines, and lessons children can carry into the next day. Designed to support language and family connection while helping children understand what to expect and how to respond.
Education and Professional Learning
M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction
University of Houston, United States of America · 2018 – 2020 · GPA 4.0
Specialization: Learning, Design & Technology. Graduate certificates in Online Teaching and Learning; Designing and Developing Educational Graphics; and Designing and Developing Educational Multimedia.
B.A. in English Language Arts & Reading — Elementary Education
St. Edward’s University, United States of America · 2012 – 2016 · Magna Cum Laude
Coaching and Supervising Your Team
Principals’ Training Center / Teacher Leadership Institute · Completed 2022
Additional professional learning: Concept-Based Teaching, ASFM (2021); Kagan Cooperative Learning and Neuhaus Unlocking Literacy (2019); Rice University Pre-AP Summer Institute (30 hours, 2017).