Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle Ferreira.
Hi Isabelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
ISABELLE M. FERREIRA
I was a teacher in Middletown and retired in 2025. I retired after a car accident.
I am a local from Long Branch, NJ. I am no stranger to community service and I am including my resume so you can see that.
My brother was diagnosed with brain cancer and subsequently died from the disease. I started pedaling.
In 2019, I pedaled from Jacksonville, Fl. to Long Branch, NJ solo.
In 2020 I pedaled from Tillamook, Oregon to Long Branch, NJ with another teacher. We donated to Viapal, American Brain Tumor Association and other cancer organizations.
In 2021, with a friend, we pedaled from Paris, France to Fatima, Portugal and raised money for a local church in Fatima, Portugal.
In 2022, 4 friends and I rode from Niagara Falls, Canada to Long Branch, NJ to raise funds for the Monmouth Conservation Program.(Jackson Woods) in Long Branch, NJ.
In 2023, I climbed Mount Kilimanjoro in Tanzania, Africa to challenge myself and show students what can be done when you put your mind to it.
Living in Long Branch for 48 years, I, now volunteer at the Senior Center and teach Spanish. I belong to the Portuguese Club of Long Branch and we do a lot of donations to charities and help in the community.
I was part of the Chop Riders motorcycle club and I was also a folklore dancer at one point in time. 🙂
I know the community well. Being both part of the Portuguese, Hispanic and Brazilian communities, I am a big big believer in community service.
I plan to ride the lower Himalayas in India in 2027 when cleared from any possible damage to a herniated disc.
Born into a Portuguese family in St. Maurs des Fossees, France, near Paris, I grew up bilingual in Portuguese and French. At the age of 10, I moved to the United States and subsequently became proficient in Spanish and English. Following high school graduation, and before I felt ready for college, I spent six years as a cross-country truck driver. During this time, I married and had a daughter, Isabelle Alexandra Jr., who now works for NASDAQ in New York City.
After six years of trucking, I decided to pursue my dream job in education. I returned to school, starting at Brookdale and completing my degree at Rutgers University, Douglass College. The remainder of my professional journey is detailed in my resume.
I taught for 25 years before retiring.
Education Thomas Edison State College M.Ed in Educational leadership 2012
M.Ed in Language Education May 1999 Area of Specialization: French
Endorsed in English as a Second Language, January 2000 Endorsed in Elementary Education and Spanish K-8
Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
B.A. French, Minor in Portuguese, May 1998 GPA: 3.2
A.A. in Liberal Arts, December 1996 GPA: 3.7
Study Abroad, Coimbra, Portugal (Summer 1998)
Professional 2002- Present Experience
Teacher of French and Spanish
Thorne Middle School, Middletown, NJ
Performed all aspects of classroom teaching
Offered innovative programs for the school
Developed creative ideas for interactive lessons
Participated in all available technology professional development
Organized diversified trips and activities
2007-2008 Two Semesters
Teacher of English as a Second Language
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ
Performed all aspect of classroom teaching for adults
Assisted students in understanding American culture
Developed creative ideas for interactive lessons
2002-2007-Various Semesters
Part-Time Lecturer/Instructor
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Performed all aspects of academic planning for undergraduate lecture class
Taught the histories of Portugal, Brazil and Lusophone countries
Offered office hours for all students
Assisted students in understanding the linguistic history of the Portuguese language
Organized cultural activities for university students
Utilized the internet as a tool for quizzes and exams
Developed syllabi for courses
2002-2010
Teacher of English as a Second Language
Home instruction, Long Branch, NJ
Performed all aspect of classroom teaching for adults
Assisted Spanish and Portuguese speakers on resolving immigration issues
2004-2006
Workshop facilitator
Heinemann/Greenwood Publishing Group
Facilitated a workshop for a leading publishing company
Assisted setting up presentations of materials and resources for teachers
Traveled to assist set up of workshop
Completed all set up requirements for speakers for presentations
Facilitated events for teachers and presenting authors
2001-2002
Teacher of French
Long Branch Middle School, Long Branch, NJ
Performed all aspects of classroom teaching including lesson plans.
Interpreted in various languages for Parent/Teacher conferences
Assisted in team management for class for classroom discipline
Attended professional development conferences for new methodology
Offered after school help for all students
2001-2003
Director of Language School
Lingua Franca, LLC. Long Branch, NJ
Performed administrative work and maintained business records
Prepared and organized a business plan
Directed staff and choose academic material for adult ESL classes
Planned, organized and directed meetings for staff
Taught English as a Second Language to non-native speakers of English
1999-2001
Assistant Director of Summer Study Abroad in Portugal
Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, NJ
Maintained summer finances and organized group dinners
Directed and organized all cultural and academic activities
Planned group trips in Spain and Portugal
1999-2001
Teacher of French
Walter O. Krumbeigel Middle School, Hillside, NJ
Performed all aspects of classroom teaching
Organized class trips to the United Nations and the theatre in NY
Assisted team management for classroom discipline
Attended various professional development conferences
Offered after school help for all students
Facilitated of the Multicultural Club
Honors Phi Lambda Beta Zeta Chapter, Luso-Brazilian Honor Society (Fall 1998)
Phi Sigma Iota, Foreign Language Honor Society (Fall 1997)
Charlotte Newcombe Scholarship
Spanish/ Portuguese Department Scholarship for Luso-descendents
Dean’s List (Spring ’95, Fall ’95)
Activities Girl’s Soccer Coach
Thorne Middle School
All aspects of co-coaching with a colleague
Taking over coaching while co-coach was on maternity leave
Cheer on students despite the heavy loss
Maintain discipline and respect within the field and trips to other schools
Community Volunteer
Long Branch Public Library, Long Branch, NJ (2001-Present)
Translate documents from Spanish and Portuguese into English
Participate in a discussion panel to educate the community of public services
Teach computers to community members at Brookdale Community College
Literacy Volunteers of America
Long Branch, NJ (1993-1998)
Taught ESL to Spanish and Portuguese speaking students
Taught reading and writing to high school students
Long Branch Portuguese Club, Inc.
Long Branch, NJ
President 2007-2011
Member 1980- Present
Club Public Relations 1996-1997
Long Branch Folklore Dancing Group, 1992- 2000
Girl Scout Leader for all Ages 1995-1997
Secretary for the Music school and Folklore Group, 1992-1996
Club Secretary 1996-1997
Computer class organizer for adults 2008-2011
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My father died from Leukemia in 2015 and then my brother passed away from brain cancer in 2017. My best friend passed away in 2016 from breast cancer. 3 people I loved dearly passed away within 3 years.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I sent my resume in the first question. I was a teacher for 25 years. I speak 4 languages. I am married to a woman. I had my daughter at 21. I drove a truck at 18 across the country until I decided to go back to school at 24. I graduate with a Master’s degree at 3o and started teaching until 56 years old. I have 2 master’s. I decided to concentrate on fund raising rather than finish my Ph.D.
I now do translations and help people in my community. I work a lot with the immigrant community and people who do not speak English.
I am most proud of being the first in my family to graduate from college and that my daughter being the daughter of an immigrant works for NASDAQ.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I belong to 2 book clubs. One of them for 24 years and the other for 10 years. I am an avid reader. I read the New Times and the Economist. I read all kinds of things. I keep up with the news.
Pricing:
- I work with Portuguese citizenship
- I do Golden Visas and D2, D7
- Translations
- pricing is available when people call
Contact Info:
- Website: 1001solutions,org
- Instagram: 1001solutionsllc
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/isabelle-m-ferreira-89547074
