Public School

“Art is a place kids travel to where they feel good about themselves. Keep their passports current.”
~Fred Babb

Accomplishments

Visual Arts Teacher, grades 6 – 8
Columbia Falls Junior High School, Columbia Falls, MT
August 2006 – June 2008

  • Increased student understanding and use of visual literacy
  • Integrated art history into the curriculum as a context for understanding an era; its people, economics and social responses
  • Established the practice of students writing to articulate skills and concepts learned; also used as an assessment tool
  • Maintained continuous public display of student artwork
  • Organized after school Art Club
  • Designed and implemented Pupil Instruction Related (PIR) classes for The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) teacher renewal credit toward teaching re-certification

Visual Arts Teacher, grades 9 – 12
Libby High School, Libby, MT
August 2005 – June 2006

  • Developed and implemented dynamic, rigorous visual arts program based on Montana state curriculum standards
  • Up-dated course descriptions
  • Guided students preparation and application to scholarship awards
  • Involved high school students in the design and painting of the theatre set for Aladdin Junior at Libby Junior High School
  • Collaborated with the Heritage Museum ~ Libby, MT to have student artwork displayed at the local library in conjunction with Key Ingredient, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit
  • Restored kiln – replaced elements and bricks; trained others on regular maintenance and proper use

Visual Arts Teacher, grades 6-8
Washington Middle School, Missoula, MT
January 1997 – June 1997

  • Designed and taught lessons based on the Montana state curriculum standards
  • Facilitated Family Extravaganza; students taught printmaking techniques and proper terminology to their parents
  • Established after-school Art Club
  • Recruited two city police officers to visit the classroom and model for student drawn portraits for Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, displayed at Missoula City Hall
  • Adorned the walls of MCPS administration building with student bear paintings which were quilted in collaboration with parents
  • Orchestrated field trip to the Missoula Art Museum
  • Curate student artwork for annual city wide student art show
  • Collaborated with district colleagues to offer Day of Art for students interested in learning from a professional artist
  • Choreographed “YMCA” dance group for annual school talent show
  • Coordinated 8th grade committee in creating artwork for permanent display honoring their promotion to high school

Traditional portfolio of student artwork available upon request