Louis Opatz

WRITER + EDUCATOR

Hi. Im Louie.
I have a passion for writing and education, and I find the intersection of those two passions to be plain delightful.
I love to tell stories through both the written and spoken word, and enjoy helping others discover their own stories.
lcopatz@gmail.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/louieopatz

www.louieopatz.com

320.267.2730

Where Ive worked

2014 - 2016

Litchfield Independent Review | Sports Editor

Litchfield, MN

Wrote more than 600 sports recaps and features for print and online

Shot and edited photos using Photoshop of local sports events

Managed social media interactions with readers using Facebook, Twitter and Tout

2013 - 2014

Clatsop Community College | Library Writing Assistant

Astoria, OR

Assisted students at every stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to revising
Used students papers and assignments to develop in-class presentations and handouts
Created short videos covering topics like How to Use a Semicolon and Avoiding Passive Voice

2013 - 2014

Seaside Signal | Reporter

Seaside, OR

Reported more than 250 stories, including breaking news, features and profiles

Attended community, school board city council meetings to write compelling articles on local issues

Provided photographic coverage of events and edited and selected photos

2011 - 2013

Portland Vanguard Newspaper | Editor + Reporter

Portland, OR

Worked with writersfrom novices to polished reportersat every stage from pitch to publication

Edited 12 to 15 stories per week for syntax, punctuation, grammar, structure AP style and clarity

Wrote more than 40 reviews, criticism, Q&As, profiles and previews for the Arts & Culture section

2011 - 2012

Metropolitan Family Services | Instructor

Gresham, OR

Instructed 30 third-graders in math, reading and writing after-school programs

Facilitated discussions about bullying, sharing and honesty

Created and implemented weekly lesson plans according to students abilities and progress

2007 - 2011

I Have A Dream - Oregon

Portland, OR

Program Coordinator [2010 - 2011]

Created and facilitated after-school programs for 50 sixth-graders at Rigler K-8 in Northeast Portland

Implemented student evaluation system to track attendance, behavior, academics, leadership and eort

Taught academic skills to increase reading, writing and math ability

Americorps Tutor/Mentor [2007 - 2010]

Tutored 75 high school juniors and seniors in numerous subjects, from English to economics

Assisted students with college entrance and scholarship essays, from outline to final draft

Wrote a grant and helped students create a music/poetry CD dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What Ive studied

Portland State University
M.F.A. | 2013

Augustana College
B.A. | 2006

Creative Writing Nonfiction

English + Journalism

Snowden Internship Program [summer 2013]

Teaching Assistant [2011 - 2013]

Varsity student-athlete [baseball]

Named Academic All-Conference [2005, 2006]

What Im good at
Language

Conversational
Spanish

Adobe Suite
Photoshop

InDesign

Podcasts + Music
GarageBand

Soundcloud

Social Media
Twitter

Facebook

Tout

Online Publishing
Squarespace
WordPress

Education
D2L

Images

Photography

Photo editing

Baseball

Lefty pitcher

Town Ball Talk