EDUCATION
B.S.Ed., Art Education, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, May 2010
Certification: IL Type 10
M.S Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, American College of Education, March 2016
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Middle School Art Teacher and Volleyball Coach, Batavia School District, Rotolo Middle School, Batavia IL, August 2012-present
Middle and High School Art Teacher, Community Unit 2 District, Serena, IL, August 2011-present
· Developed and taught a secondary curriculum for all middle and high school arts classes focusing on interdisciplinary and multicultural lessons that encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills while increasing exposure to technology
· Sponsor Serena High School Art Club, Community Fine Arts Show, District wide art show
· Lead college field trips to visit Northern Illinois University School of Art and mentored with NIU art students
· Developing of a Peer Mentorship Program to expose elementary students to art that no longer have opportunity
Youth Arts Director, Americorps VISTA; Matthew 25, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 2010-March 2011
· Developed, coordinated and taught youth arts programming for the secondary age group
· Lead over 100 youth volunteers for community projects such as the build out of the youth arts venue, murals, and the development and teaching of art related workshops
· Coordinated positive youth events such as ‘Concert for a Cause’ and ‘MLK celebration day’
Student Teacher, McCleery Elementary School, Aurora, Illinois, March 2010-May 2010
· Taught 1st through 5th grade art classes with independent projects focusing on multicultural lessons such as exposure of art from Mexico and India
· Created PowerPoint lessons and other multimedia tools to introduce art from other cultures
· Applied art and music to create an interdisciplinary approach to teaching
· Modified lessons for the predominant non-native English speaking students
Student Teacher, Batavia High School, Batavia, Illinois, January 2010-March 2010
· Taught Art Fundamentals: introduction to art course and Art and Society: advanced ceramic course
· Constructed projects for advanced ceramic courses, using hand building clay techniques and idea development based around student’s relationship and responsibility within society
· Coordinated creation of artist trading cards using collage techniques to portray hope and facilitated donation to Kishwaukee Cancer Care Center and Livingwell Cancer Resource Center
· Assessed student work through group critiques, discussion, self assessment, and reflection tests
· Featured in The Daily Chronicle newspaper, May 26, 2010
ADDITIONAL TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Head Art Teacher, Camp Maple Leaf, DeKalb/Sycamore Special Recreation, DeKalb Illinois, Summer 2013-present
Head Art Teacher, ARTSJAM, Northern Illinois University Community School of the Arts, DeKalb Illinois, Summer 2009
· Taught technique and cultivated creativity in the fine arts for 60+ children ages 5-12
· Planned and executed summer fine arts course; developed lesson plans, activities and material preparation
Paraprofessional and Substitute, Sycamore Community School District, Sycamore, Illinois, January 2009-May 2011
OSCAR Assistant, Sycamore Community School District, Sycamore, Illinois, September 2008-May 2011
· Tutor elementary students; develop academic and art-related educational projects before and after school
Special Olympics Coach/Camp Maple Leaf Teacher, Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association, DeKalb, Illinois, December 2008-present
· Coach and educate individual motor skills and promote focus along with teamwork for children and adults with special needs
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
International Society of Education through Art Conference, University of Lapland, Finland, June 2010
· Co-Presenter: “Issue-Based Art Curriculum”
· Attended workshops and roundtables to gain a worldly perspective of art education
ORGANIZATIONS
National Art Education member, August 2007-present
The DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project steering committee chair November 2012-present
Kishwaukee Cancer Care Center, Healing Expressions Art Therapy, January 2009-May 2010
Project REAL, Northern Illinois University, December 2009
Illinois Art Education Association, Student Chapter, August 2007-May 2010
National Art Education Association, Student Chapter Treasurer, August 2007-December 2009
B.S.Ed., Art Education, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, May 2010
Certification: IL Type 10
M.S Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, American College of Education, March 2016
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Middle School Art Teacher and Volleyball Coach, Batavia School District, Rotolo Middle School, Batavia IL, August 2012-present
Middle and High School Art Teacher, Community Unit 2 District, Serena, IL, August 2011-present
· Developed and taught a secondary curriculum for all middle and high school arts classes focusing on interdisciplinary and multicultural lessons that encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills while increasing exposure to technology
· Sponsor Serena High School Art Club, Community Fine Arts Show, District wide art show
· Lead college field trips to visit Northern Illinois University School of Art and mentored with NIU art students
· Developing of a Peer Mentorship Program to expose elementary students to art that no longer have opportunity
Youth Arts Director, Americorps VISTA; Matthew 25, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 2010-March 2011
· Developed, coordinated and taught youth arts programming for the secondary age group
· Lead over 100 youth volunteers for community projects such as the build out of the youth arts venue, murals, and the development and teaching of art related workshops
· Coordinated positive youth events such as ‘Concert for a Cause’ and ‘MLK celebration day’
Student Teacher, McCleery Elementary School, Aurora, Illinois, March 2010-May 2010
· Taught 1st through 5th grade art classes with independent projects focusing on multicultural lessons such as exposure of art from Mexico and India
· Created PowerPoint lessons and other multimedia tools to introduce art from other cultures
· Applied art and music to create an interdisciplinary approach to teaching
· Modified lessons for the predominant non-native English speaking students
Student Teacher, Batavia High School, Batavia, Illinois, January 2010-March 2010
· Taught Art Fundamentals: introduction to art course and Art and Society: advanced ceramic course
· Constructed projects for advanced ceramic courses, using hand building clay techniques and idea development based around student’s relationship and responsibility within society
· Coordinated creation of artist trading cards using collage techniques to portray hope and facilitated donation to Kishwaukee Cancer Care Center and Livingwell Cancer Resource Center
· Assessed student work through group critiques, discussion, self assessment, and reflection tests
· Featured in The Daily Chronicle newspaper, May 26, 2010
ADDITIONAL TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Head Art Teacher, Camp Maple Leaf, DeKalb/Sycamore Special Recreation, DeKalb Illinois, Summer 2013-present
Head Art Teacher, ARTSJAM, Northern Illinois University Community School of the Arts, DeKalb Illinois, Summer 2009
· Taught technique and cultivated creativity in the fine arts for 60+ children ages 5-12
· Planned and executed summer fine arts course; developed lesson plans, activities and material preparation
Paraprofessional and Substitute, Sycamore Community School District, Sycamore, Illinois, January 2009-May 2011
OSCAR Assistant, Sycamore Community School District, Sycamore, Illinois, September 2008-May 2011
· Tutor elementary students; develop academic and art-related educational projects before and after school
Special Olympics Coach/Camp Maple Leaf Teacher, Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association, DeKalb, Illinois, December 2008-present
· Coach and educate individual motor skills and promote focus along with teamwork for children and adults with special needs
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
International Society of Education through Art Conference, University of Lapland, Finland, June 2010
· Co-Presenter: “Issue-Based Art Curriculum”
· Attended workshops and roundtables to gain a worldly perspective of art education
ORGANIZATIONS
National Art Education member, August 2007-present
The DeKalb/Sycamore Bookcase Project steering committee chair November 2012-present
Kishwaukee Cancer Care Center, Healing Expressions Art Therapy, January 2009-May 2010
Project REAL, Northern Illinois University, December 2009
Illinois Art Education Association, Student Chapter, August 2007-May 2010
National Art Education Association, Student Chapter Treasurer, August 2007-December 2009