Normal.dotm 0 0 1 385 2198 TUSD 18 4 2699 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Aura Imbarus was born in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Transylvania or “Dracula’s land,” Romania. With an early inclination for writing and foreign languages, she pursued a BA degree in English/Foreign Languages, an MA in British and American Studies, and a Ph.D. in Humanities/Philology at “Lucian Blaga” University; she furthered her education at UCLA and California State LA.  She took eight years of ballet, played volleyball professionally for four years, and track and field for two years. An inquisitive mind, she landed a job with Radio Contact as an anchorman and editor for the news department, with Gallup Poll as a regional interview operator and with Sibiu Journal as a publicity manager.  In 1995, she joined her alma mater’s team, teaching for “Lucian Blaga” University as an assistant professor. In the same year, she held the PR Director position of the International Jazz Festival, and she was part of the incipient team of the International Theatre Festival in Sibiu. In 1997, Aura won the Green Card Lottery out of the 8 million applicants and moved to LA “The City of Angeles.” After a short experience in the hotel business, working for Bel-Air Hotel and Inter-Continental LA, Aura had her degrees recognized, and, soon enough, she joined the educational field, teaching for high school and colleges around South Bay area. Aura is the President of RAPN – Romanian –American Professionals Network, LA Chapter and President of EuroCircle, a professional European organization, LA Chapter.  

Aura’s professional and academic affiliations include CTA, CATE, CATESOL, AAUW, NCTE, and MLA. In recognition of her achievements, she was awarded “Who Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Marquis’ Edition in 2003, 2004, and 2005; she was awarded Someone Special at West High School, 2005; awarded Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2004; awarded Outstanding Young Educator, Torrance Junior Chamber of Commerce, 2003; Outstanding Young Educator, City Council of the City of Torrance, 2003; Outstanding Young Educator, County of Los Angeles, 2003; Outstanding Young Educator, Certificate of Recognition, California State Senate, 2003; Outstanding Young Educator, Certificate of Recognition, California State Assembly, 2003; Outstanding High School Teacher, UC San Diego’s Teacher Recognition Program, 2001-2002. She was awarded 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Visions of Unity, Art Contest, Tenth Year Teacher Recognition, 2010.

She was one of the five members of the Romanian-American delegation to meet Prince Radu Duda of Romania, Prince of Hohenzollern-Veringen, at the Beverly Hills City Hall, March 2008.