CURRICULUM VITAE

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EDUCATION

Middle Georgia State University, Macon Georgia

Master of Arts in Teaching, Literacy in Secondary Education, Art Education, 2023

Honors: Recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Master’s of Arts in Teaching Award

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University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Bachelor of Arts, Art & Illustration, 2008

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

High School Visual Arts Teacher, Douglas County School System

Douglasville, Georgia, Jul. 2023 – Present

Design culturally relevant, standards-aligned curriculum for youth ages 13-19; engage students in various art mediums, techniques, and art histories; emphasize life skills, literacy, and connecting lessons to lived experiences outside the studio; collaborate with colleagues to facilitate student growth through formative and summative assessments. Art Club Sponsor, Tennis Coach.

 

Student Teacher, Douglas County School System

Douglasville and Lithia Springs, Georgia, Aug. 2022 – Jun. 2023

Directly supported daily instruction, implementing original visual art lesson plans with supervision from tenured art teachers in both elementary and high school settings; performed the same duties as the teacher of record, including classroom management, assessment design, and parent communication.

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High Dosage Tutor, Fulton County Schools

College Park, Georgia, Aug. 2021 – May 2022

Implemented math and reading interventions to support the learning goals and outcomes of 9 classrooms within a Title I elementary school in the Atlanta metro; collaborated with classroom teachers to address individual student needs and track progress.

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Youth Development Volunteer, United States Peace Corps

Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Perú, 2019 – 2020

Facilitated weekly educational programming on healthy lifestyles, job readiness, and community leadership for over 300 youth in partnership with 4 local schools, 2 health posts, and the municipal government in 3 rapidly developing, low-resource communities; developed a culturally responsive curriculum in collaboration with local educators.

 

Youth Mentor, Boys & Girls Club Brockton

Brockton, Massachusetts, 2016 – 2017

Assisted in creating and leading age-appropriate programming for school-aged youth; recruited guest speakers to present on civics, healthy lifestyles, bullying, and visual and performing arts; fostered positive youth development through mentorship and relationship-building.

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LEADERSHIP & BOARD SERVICE

Non-Profit Board Member, Stitching Change Inc. 

Kansas City, Kansas (remote), Jan. 2025 – Present

Support Board and Executive Director in resource development, outreach, research, and strategic direction for a 501(c)(3) non-profit primarily empowering immigrant and refugee women with home-based business skills, marketplaces for handmade goods, and reducing textile waste by reclaiming fabrics; contributing expertise in community engagement and program development. 

 

Founder, Kloster Kreations Screen Print Shop

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2011 – 2014

Partnered with 3 businesses, 2 artists, and 5 musicians to promote community arts, while mentoring clientele through in-studio screen printing workshops; designed and screen-printed original graphics for t-shirts, posters, and events on commission; managed all aspects of small business operations.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & PRESENTATIONS

Presenter, Georgia Council for the Social Studies Convention

Macon, Georgia, 2023

Collaborated with two peer students and mentor to facilitate a professional development session titled "Teaching Critical Thinking, Creativity and Decision-Making Through Historical Simulation Activities" for teachers at a teacher convention utilizing interrelated curriculum strategies; demonstrated effective pedagogy for engaging students in higher-order thinking.

 

EVENT FACILITATION & ARTS PROGRAMMING

PSiCHArt Event Host, SURU Together

Dublin, Ireland (remote contract), 2020 – 2021

Collaborated with an award-winning tech startup to lead and host virtual art events to promote democratic decision-making strategies for international non-governmental organizations; facilitated engagement of diverse international audiences through creative programming.

 

Founder and Teaching Artist, Yellow Sun Art Studios

Kansas City, Kansas, 2015 – 2018

Founded a small business offering public and private art classes emphasizing basic principles of art therapy; partnered with 2 non-profit and 2 for-profit businesses to produce art events; produced and led 3 events with The Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Institute, teaching patrons about their historic neighborhood through on-site painting classes.

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Master Artist and Painting Instructor, Paint Nite Seattle

Seattle, Washington, 2014 – 2015

Designed original art and instructed over 250 painting lessons with 30-50 adult students at a time; established collaborative partnerships with 8 businesses; grew social media following by 800%; coordinated and led private painting events for Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and Zillow.

 

RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Store Manager, Plaza Artist Materials and Picture Framing

Silver Spring, Maryland, 2018 – 2019

Managed a team of 7 employees, leading daily operations with excellent customer service in a retail sales environment for professional art supplies; monitored the store's inventory valued at over $750K; advised customers in custom framing and proper care of artwork; demonstrated expertise in art materials and conservation.

 

Development and Outreach Coordinator, Kansas City Public Library

Kansas City, Missouri, 2017 – 2018

• Volunteer Management: Served as central point of contact for volunteer recruitment and placement within the library's 11 branch offices, overseeing all aspects of volunteer engagement; prepared job descriptions, liaised with volunteers regarding application status, facilitated orientations, managed volunteer timesheets, progress reports, and personnel files

• Program Management: Directly supervised and mentored 35 volunteers in providing English Language Learning courses; updated and developed curriculum to address gaps in vocational skills for 2 programs serving over 70 newly immigrated community members; conducted and oversaw post-program evaluations, analysis, and reporting

• Data & Reporting: Redesigned and expanded library's volunteer database; devised multiple record maintenance policies for on-boarding and tracking volunteers; led staff trainings, resulting in a 70% increase in volunteer hours recorded over the previous year

 

Development and Outreach Coordinator, Boys & Girls Club of Brockton

Brockton, Massachusetts, 2016 – 2017

• Resource Development: Supported all aspects of fundraising, contributing to a fiscal year budget increase of 48%; initiated strategic communications across departments to streamline grant submissions; wrote 4 successful grant proposals, securing $60K in new funding; identified and cultivated relationships with 50 new community partners, including businesses, organizations, and government entities

• Events Planning: Assisted in the production of 4 large-scale fundraising events with up to 250 guests; created donor-centric marketing collateral focusing on organizational initiatives to support youth and families in an urban, predominantly immigrant community setting

 

Postal Support Employee, United States Postal Service (USPS)

Mission, Kansas, 2016

Managed and supported over 30 mail carriers within the branch office through daily operations fulfillment; served as primary point of contact for mail carriers, customers, and branch manager

 

Fair-trade Store Sales Associate, Unique Finds + Gifts

Overland Park, Kansas (intermittent), 2015 – 2018

Promoted the organization's mission to support ethical purchasing decisions while managing daily operations and sales; developed original storytelling content featured on social media platforms; hosted and managed 6 community events to support and feature local artisans.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS & ILLUSTRATIONS

Public Health Illustrator, International Planned Parenthood Federation

London, United Kingdom (remote contract), 2020

Conceptualized and developed two 55-page illustrated resource books for healthcare professionals to communicate family planning options and procedures to target audiences with low-literacy levels and/or disabilities in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

 

Freelance Illustrator, Volume One Magazine

Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin, 2009 – 2013

Collaborated with magazine's editors, writers and project manager to produce more than 100 original illustrations and cover designs within days/hours of a request, always meeting deadlines.

 

Art Director and Page Layout Editor, Flip Side Student Magazine

Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 2005 – 2008

Recruited, led and supported 10+ student editors and artists in their creative content contributions to 30 bi-weekly magazines reaching over 12,000 students and faculty; strengthened strategic relationships between the organization, student body, faculty, and staff.

 

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Painting Strawberry Hill, Artspeak Radio (Interview)

Kansas City, Missouri, 2018

By invitation, represented the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center on public radio, discussing the unique history of the local landmark and the launch of the new art class series.

 

Gallery Assistant and Event Host, Pop Up Art Gallery

Kansas City, Missouri, 2017 – 2018

Assisted in management of event space, coordinated with artists and installed exhibitions; prepared and released a call-for-artists and action plan to grow gallery outreach and promotions.

 

Volunteer Co-Chair and Events Coordinator, Kansas City AmeriCorps Member Alliance

Kansas City, Missouri, 2017 – 2018

Recruited and led a team of 6 council members to arrange 11 professional development events for Kansas City Metro AmeriCorps members and alumni; developed and disseminated a monthly newsletter reaching over 100 volunteers to promote increased participation and encourage collaboration within the region.

 

Boys & Girls Club of Brockton: Summer Camp (Video)

Brockton, Massachusetts, 2017

Authored an original screenplay on behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of Brockton; video debuted at the 2017 Annual Golf Event, aiding in raising more than $10K in donations; managed production, negotiations, revisions, and delivery of final production reel.

 

Volunteer Artist and Event Support, Stitching Change Inc.

Kansas City, Kansas, 2015 – 2018

Provided graphic design and event support for 2 large fundraising events to promote a community organization empowering refugee women through small business skills development.

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NATIONAL SERVICE AFFILIATIONS

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Youth Development, Peru

Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Perú, 2019 – 2020

Served for 7 months as a teacher and mentor for adolescents between the ages of 10 and 21 in 3 rapidly developing, low-resource communities; evacuated due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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AmeriCorps VISTA Alum, Development and Outreach Coordinator

Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri, 2017 – 2018

Boys & Girls Club of Brockton, Brockton, Massachusetts, 2016 – 2017

Completed 2 one-year terms as a full-time staff member, fulfilling the program's national goal to build organizational capacity at national nonprofits and large public institutions.​​ 

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EXHIBITIONS

​Pancakes & Booze, Group Show

Georgia Freight Depot, Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 2021

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Chiaha Harvest Fair, Regional Art Fair

Coosa Valley Fairgrounds, Rome, Georgia, Oct. 2021

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Arts in the Park, Regional Art Fair

Downtown City Park, Blue Ridge, Georgia, Oct. 2021

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Cultures Exhibition, Group Show

EGG Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri, Mar. 2018

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First Fridays, Group Shows

Pop Up Art Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri, Dec. 2017 – Aug. 2018

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Pancakes & Booze Art Show, Group Show

The Cashew, Kansas City, Missouri, Feb. 2016

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Local Artisans Show, Two Person Show with Painter Eugenia Ortiz

Unique Finds + Gifts, Leawood, Kansas, Nov. 2015

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Restaurant Solo Exhibition

Metropole Bar and Grill, Seattle, Washington, Jul. 2014 – Aug. 2014

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Spring Art Show, Annual Community Arts Exhibit

Heyde Center for the Arts, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Mar. 2009

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Art with Heart, Annual Fundraiser for Eau Claire County Humane Association

Fanny Hill Dinner Theater, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Mar. 2008

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Two Person Show, Two Person Show with Photographer Maximillian Menacher

Racy D’Lenee’s Coffee Shop, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Jul. 2007

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49th Student Juried Show, Undergraduate Student Exhibition

Foster Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Apr. 2006​​

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AWARDS​

First Place, 2-Dimensional Art 

Chiaha Harvest Fair, 56th annual event, Rome, Georgia, Nov. 2021

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Best Illustration, "Nest in Peace", Contributor’s Choice Award

Volume One Magazine, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Feb. 2012

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Featured Cover Artist and Interior Illustration Artist, Best of the Chippewa Valley

Volume One Magazine, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Feb. 2012

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Honorable Mention

Chippewa Valley Spring Art Show, 44th annual event, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Mar. 2009​​​

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