EDUCATOR

AUTHOR/EDITOR/TRANSLATOR

 

 bgharbert@yahoo.com

Summary

Highly-skilled in multi-cultural environments. Native fluency in English and Turkish languages and literatures. Proficient in Russian. Experienced educator, writer, editor, content developer. Deep experience in film and social justice environments. Dedicated to full engagement and excellence.  

EXPERIENCE

Ongoing Projects

2013- , Author, preparing publication proposals for articles and book-length manuscripts.

2007- , Founder, Voices Project, an international women’s literary and arts project.

2007- , Poet, rewriting a selection of poems for publication.

2003- , Author, Unveiling the Girl, a memoir, exploring womanhood and exile through Turkey, Russia, and the USA. 

2002- , Translator, Journey to the End of the World by Tezer Ozlu.

Educator/Trainer

 
2015-current:  Teaching ELA and other courses as assigned at a public high school for adult students using the current CA credentials of Adult Ed, CTE (Arts, Media and Entertainment) and a preliminary in Single Subject ELA.

2013-2015  : Taught private ESL classes to middle and high school students in Turkey.

June 2012     : Taught senior seminar titled, The Literary Text: Why Is It Easier To Call Your Words, Sounds and Imagery a Text as part of my thesis requirement for the MFA Program.

2009-2012    : BAMP Coordinator/Site Supervisor for Media Internships: Facilitated groups and individual students of the AULA BA Program supported Academic Media Project. Counseled/Guided students through their individualized media project processes.

2002-2006    : Tutored conversational Turkish to individuals in a private class setting.

2002              : Curator/Director, worked with elementary school age children at McKinley Elementary School, Santa Monica, CA. Taught students to study their selected poems and deliver their choreographed texts on stage.                       

Translator and Interpreter (Turkish-Russian-English)

·        2007, Evaluated translators' tests for Visual Data, Burbank, CA.

·        Jan. 2007, Interpreter, English/Turkish/English, Canadian Embassy and Civil Court, Santa Ana, CA.

·        2002-2003, Translated (into Turkish) William Martin's The Parent's Tao Te Ching (1999, Avalon Publishing Group) purchased by Boyner Holding Yayinlari, Turkey, and published with my foreword, cover design and blurbs.

·        2000-, Translator of legal documents from English into Turkish (contracts, communications, etc.) for various translation agencies located in the USA.

·        2000-, Translator of subtitle & voice-over narrative texts from English into Turkish for companies including Turkish Airlines, Boeing, and Sonoco Safety Systems.

·        2000, Quality controller of translations (English into Turkish) for infomercials, commercials, and feature length films for clients including Sony Pictures.

·        1998-1999, Translated (to Turkish) Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie (Doubleday Books/Random House), published by Boyner Holding Yayinlari, Turkey.

·        July 1992, Interpreted (from Russian to Turkish) the lecture, “Introduction to Russian Higher Education” from Russian to Turkish, for a Moscow State University (MGU) lecturer.

·        June 1991, Interpreted (from Turkish to English and vice versa) at fairs and trade shows for various international companies in Turkey, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

·        1989-1991, Translated (from English into Turkish) texts on photography and print techniques. Compiled and translated for an MFA thesis currently archived at Mimar Sinan University, Graduate Studies in Fine Arts, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Editor

·        2009-2010, Editor and Conceptual Co-Creator of a multi-media digital book by poet/filmmaker/photographer James S. Berkowitz. Project suspended.

·        2007-2009, Founding Editor (one of many) of  Two Hawks Quarterly, online literary journal of Antioch University Los Angeles.
2007-2008, one of the Founding Editors of Her Circle E-zine, an on-line magazine of women's creative arts and activism.
May 2007, WriteGirl Anthology Vol. 5: Assisted with conceptualization, selection, and arrangement of chapters and data.

·        2006-2007, Fiction & non-fiction editor for international online women's literary magazine, Her Circle Ezine.

·        1990, Editor of a volume of poetry by Bulent Saka titled Les Gibi Bakire (Stinks like a Virgin) distributed nationally in Turkey.

Author

•      bUrCu. Assumed Dead. 2013. MS. Personal archive.

●       Harbert, Burcu. Unveiling the Girl & Personal Essays. 2010-2012. MS. AULA MFA Archive.

• ·         Harbert, Burcu. The Gutenberg Bible, A Million Small Pieces and Multi Media E-Books: WWJD? 2009. MS. AULA MFA Archive.

• ·        bUrCu. “Arabic Tunes” accepted to appear in an anthology of Muslim women's poetry.

• ·        bUrCu. “Fresh Approaches” Make/Shift. Spring-Summer 2007: 51. Print.

• ·        bUrCu. "Letter to My Mother" Her Circle Ezine. Fall 2005.  <http://www.hercircleezine.com/2005/09/01/letter-to-my-mother-by-burcu/ > Dec. 1, 2013. Web. 

•      G., Burcu. "Björk: A Turkish Poem" Huriyah Magazine. 2004 DykeFest Issue. <http://huriyahmag.com> Feb. 23, 2005. Web.

•      G., Burcu. "One Vein" Huriyah Magazine. 2004 DykeFest Issue. <http://huriyahmag.com> Feb. 23, 2005. Web.

•      G., Burcu. "Rough Path to Equality". Huriyah Magazine. Spring 2004. 
  <http://huriyahmag.com> Mar. 4, 2005. Web.

•         G., Burcu. "Killing Mother, Killing Honor". Huriyah Magazine. Winter 2004. <http://huriyahmag.com> Feb. 25, 2005. Web.

•          Harbert, Burcu Gezek. “On Identity”. NewsBridge. 2004. Print. 

•          Harbert, Burcu Gezek. “One World, One Man One Love”. NewsBridge. Apr.-May 2003: 25. Print. Rpt in James Berkowitz. np. nd. Website. http://jamesberkowitz.com/interview. Dec.8, 2013. Print.

•          Gezek, Burcu. Translator's Note. Modern Ailelere Bilgece Öğütler. By William Martin. İstanbul: Boyner Yayınları, 2003. np. Print.

•          Harbert, Burcu Gezek. "Declaration of Truth". NewsBridge. Sept.-Oct. 2002: 23. Print.
•      Harbert, Burcu Gezek. "A New World Delight" NewsBridge. Sept.-Oct. 2002: 23. Print.

•         Harbert, Burcu Gezek. "Made it Big in America". Washington Free Press. July-Aug. 2002. <http://wafreepress.org/58/readerMail.htm> Web. Dec. 8, 2013.

•        Harbert, Burcu Gezek. "Seven Houses: An Exquisite Literary Journey". NewsBridge. Nov.-Dec. 2002: 17. Print.

•         Harbert, Burcu Gezek.“Anais Nin-Rupert Pole House". Arredamento. Nov. 2000: 107. Print.

•     Harbert, Burcu Gezek. “All Aboard the Istanbul Express: An Exclusive Report from the 19th International Istanbul Film Festival”. Jun. 2000. <http://www.ifmagazine.com/common/ArticlePrint.asp?ArticleID=673> Web. Mar. 11, 2004. 

•         Harbert, Burcu Gezek. Translator's Note. Öğretmenim Mori'yle Salı Buluşmaları. By Mitch Albom. Boyner Holding Yayınları: İstanbul, 1999. np. Print.

Consultant, Administrative, Film Production

Production Coordinator, pending: Archaeological Legacy Institute, Amman, Jordan/Izmir, Turkey: Committed to coordinate the production of daily promotional webcasts on The Archaeology Channel (http://www.archaeologychannel.org) from Amman, Jordan; Istanbul and Izmir in Turkey.

Media Project Coordinator, October 2009-June 2012 : Antioch University B.A. Program, Los Angeles: Conceptualized the Project with the supervising Faculty member, recruited and coordinated volunteers to assist with filming/editing/posting of four B.A. sponsored events; shot over 100 hours of digital footage of events on campus; prepared and delivered a hard copy binder & a publishable digital copy of the 2009 BA Showcase event; and completed a promotional film depicting the Antioch experience from BA students’ perspective. 

Activities Coordinator/Consultant, Sept.-Nov. 2010: TriAngle Square Apartments/GLAAD Senior Housing: Consulted staff on scheduling and activities for the diverse body of senior residents, created new activities, helped with promotion and worked with residents one on one to assess needs in order to develop further activities.                                                                     

Administrative Assistant, October 2007-October 2009, Antioch University Admissions & Financial Aid Office Los Angeles: Assisted with all aspects of application processing, student inquiries, and outreach activities.

Fundraising Associate, June 2007-November 2007: Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (formerly See Jane) Los Angeles/San Diego: Contacted donors with donation requests for a silent auction in San Diego. Coordinated donation pick up and assisted with the set up and the fundraiser auction.

VFX Coordinator, April 2007, Barbed Wire FX, Los Angeles, CA: Coordinated work flow of VFX sequences for theatrical films; responsible for managing daily activities of the studio.

Business Consultant, April 2007, Venice TreeHouse, Venice Beach, CA: Consulted the owner on advertising strategies, website development, and on booking special events.

Voice-Over Supervisor, April 2007, Tele-Talent LLC, Hollywood, CA: Supervised Turkish voice-over session with five voice-over artists for an educational infomercial.

Project Manager, March 2005 – April 2007, Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Los Angeles, CA:  Assisted in reviewing and distributing press releases, in managing communications with partnering institutions, organized trips for journalists and filmmakers, fulfilled administrative duties in promoting Turkish Culture and Tourism in Western United States.

Professional Meeting Representative, January 4 - 6, 2007, Archaeological Legacy Institute, San Diego, CA: Assisted set up, managed and hosted information booth for ALI at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America. Assisted with all aspects of film screenings.

Business Consultant, April 2000, Buena Vista Video, Walt Disney Studios, Los Angeles, CA:       

Consulted with producers on stage and sound studios in Turkey for multiple DVD productions.  Researched, contacted, and set up deals for US DVD producers.

Production Coordinator, 1996-1998, Mystique Films, Los Angeles, CA: Coordinated production of five feature-length films (including Sheer Passion, Testing the Limits, I’m Watching You, and The Night That Never Happened) for TV (HBO and Lifetime) and video.

Assistant Coordinator, March-June 1996, Synthetic Filmworks, Los Angeles, CA: Assisted the coordinator for the film, Prophet with DON WILSON produced and directed by Fred Olen Ray.

Assistant to the Producer, January-March 1996, Java Productions, Inc., Los Angeles, CA:  Assisted the Producer on Bartender with NICOLE EGGERT of Baywatch.

Production Assistant, 1996-1997, HSX Films/Overseas FilmGroup/Palm Pictures Los Angeles & Las Vegas: Assisted on Six String Samurai directed by Lance Mungia.

Sales Executive, 1995-1996, Picasso Tours/Nordic Tours, LA, CA: Designed tour packages/travel catalogues and marketed them to individuals and corporate clients.

Business Management

Manager/Share-holder for Gezek Ltd., Tire/Izmir, Turkey, 1998- 2000, a licensed distributor of Tuborg & Pepsi Co. International in Tire & surrounding areas. Produced print advertising for various businesses in the same locale. Duties included: customer service relations, accounting, ordering, managing cash flow, contracts, managing ten employees, outreach, etc.

Public Performance

●        2012, Reader at the Graduate Readings at Antioch University Los Angeles.

•          2009, Performer at the VDay performances at Antioch University Los Angeles.

•          2008, Poet/Performer at Art Knows No Borders, a fundraiser event promoting peace between countries and cultures via Crystal Allene Cook’s online fiction book Bombardirovka, benefiting Doctors without Borders.

•          June 2007, Reader, read an excerpt from my memoir at Skylight Books, Los Angeles.

•          May 2007, Speaker, Screened and discussed the production of my short film, “A Day in the Life of A Girl” at the Antioch University Los Angeles Student Showcase.

•          Feb. 2007, Speaker, Turkey: A Land Unique: Introducing Turkish History and Culture, at the LA Times Travel Expo (canceled event).

•          Feb. 2006, Representative of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office at the LA Times Travel Expo.

•         Sept. 2005, Featured Reader for Her Circle E-zine launch party at the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco, CA. 

Fellowships, Awards, Grants, and Honors: New Student Scholarship 2009-2012; President’s Scholarship 2007; Stephen Leiter Tuition Scholarship 2006; Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA * Scholarship 2004-2006, Writers At Work, Los Angeles, CA *  Writer/Grant Recipient,  2005 Authors League Fund, New York, NY * Writer/Grant Recipient 2002,  Pen American Center, New York, NY;  Participant 2001, International Architecture Symposium, Ankara, Turkey; Presenter, media conference on Tuesdays with Morrie (translator), 1999,  German Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Volunteer: SEEFest 2011 Member of the Organizational Committee, 2011: Bridge Program Fundraiser Planning Committee Member, 2010: Antioch University Los Angeles; Videographer, BA Academic Media Project, 2010: Antioch University Los Angeles; Participant AIDS WALK LOS ANGELES, 2008 – 2011: Volunteer fundraiser, radio station KCRW, 2004: McKinley Elementary School, Director/Choreographer of Nazim Hikmet poems.

Computer Skills: CANVAS and OASIS (LMS) savvy. Extensive online research experience. Special focus in conceptualizing/formatting and Multi-Media (mainly for interactive e-books and social networking site management).

Education

Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA, 2010-2012: MFA in Creative Writing/Genre: Creative Non-Fiction

Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA, Sept.-Dec. 2011: Completed: EAPP Writing Instructor Training as Field Study requirement of the MFA Program

Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA, 2009-2010: (Graduate) Certificate in Publishing Arts  

Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA, 2006-2008: BA in Liberal Studies/Creative Writing Concentration

All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), Moscow, Russia, 1993-1994: Completed the introductory year-long Program in Motion Picture Directing.

Moscow State University (MGU), Moscow, Russia, 1992-1993, Introductory courses completed: Russian History, Language & Literature .

Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey, 1989-1992, Introductory courses completed: Public Speaking, Expository Writing, Linguistics, Psychology, Education, and English Literature.

Ozel Turk Koleji, Izmir, Turkey, 1982-1989: Middle and High school in Arts and Humanities instructed exclusively in English.

                                                               Related Websites:

http://burcugezekharbert.blogspot.com/

 
http://blog.milliyet.com.tr/ogretmenim-mori--yle-sali-bulusmalari---mitch-albom/Blog/?BlogNo=50208

 
www.linkedin.com/in/burcugezek/

http://www.facebook.com/LiteraryTextSeminar

http://www.proz.com/profile/1713845

http://www.archaeologychannel.org/resources-guide/film-production

http://www.radikal.com.tr/2000/06/14/yazarlar/halsah.shtml

http://www.hercircleezine.com/2005/09/01/letter-to-my-mother-by-burcu/

http://tshirtsandtwine.com/2013/04/22/living-simply-meet-burcu/

 
https://www.mitchalbom.com/books/tuesdays-with-morrie/