ART TEACHING

Education/Certification

M.Ed. - Educational Administration, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, 2011

BA - Applied Learning and Development, Major: Special Education, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 2005

Principal Certification - 2011, Texas

Teacher Certification

• EC-12 Special Education, 2005-2024, Texas

• EC-4 Generalist, 2005-2024, Texas

• 4-8 Mathematics, 2005-2024, Texas

• 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies, 2005-2024, Texas

• EC-12 English as a Second Language, 2007-2024, Texas

• G/T Educatiion - K-12 Endorsement, 2010, Texas

Leadership Experience

Owner (2019-current) and Studio Manager (2020-current), Helios Fused Glass Studio, Austin, TX

• Coordinate international and local fused glass instructors providing 30+ courses per year

• Coordinate and manage studio volunteer program

• Develop & teach in-person curriculums for glass artists

• Developed (and shared with other international studios) a hybrid in-person/on-line course structure during Covid with international fused glass instructors

• Collaborate with local instructors to develop new classes

• Employ 2 part-time employees and multiple contractors

• Manage a glass retail store with over 300K in sales per year

• Mentor artists new to fusing, support artists developing business skills, provide opportunities for seasoned artists to teach or share their art

• Minimized losses due to the Covid Pandemic by restructuring classes to on-line, creating A and B teams to stager and minimize staff presence in-studio, and instituting rotating monthly retail sales

• Personally rebuilt and currently maintain studio website: www.heliosglass.com

• Manage annual studio budget, maintain tax compliance, and perform most maintenance needs of studio equipment

Artist, Blue Art House, Austin, Tx (2017-2019)

• Established small glass art business selling 14K per year

• Participated in local community festivals and events including: West Austin Studio Tour 2017 & 2018, and Violet Crown Festival 2018

• Collaborated with local artists

Stay At Home Mom, 2016

International Students’ Special Services, Coordinator, Veritas Academy, Austin, TX, 2014-2016

• Developed and implemented an accelerated learning program, based on an university model structure, for internationally adopted elementary and middle school aged students

• Trained co-teachers and parents in pedagogy and problem-solving for individualized needs of their students

• Individualized coursework utilizing the Veritas curriculum in reading, writing and math based on prior exposure, retention, and mastery of skills of each student

• Collaborated with related services professionals (Psychologists, Dyslexia Specialists, Adoption Specialists)

District Advisory Team, Technology Sub-Committee Team Member, Del Valle ISD, Del Valle, TX 2008-2010

Campus Special Education Team,  Co-Lead , Popham Elementary, Del Valle, TX, 2005-2010

Classes and Presentations

(2021) Strip Construction. 10 hour fused glass course, Helios Fused Glass Studio

(2020) Fused Glass for Beginners. 8 hour fused glass course, Helios Fused Glass Studio

(2020) Kiln and Firing Schedules Fundamentals. 2 hour fused glass workshop, Helios Fused Glass Studio

(2020) Pressure Plates. 4 hour fused glass course

(2008) Inclusion 101. 2 hour teaching workshop, Popham Elementary

(2008) Teaching Writing Through Fairy Tales. 45min teaching presentation, Popham Elementary

(2007) Microsoft Keyboard Shortcuts. 30min teaching presentation, Popham Elementary

Teaching Experience

Fused Glass Instructor - Helios Fused Glass Studio, Austin, TX, 2019-current

International Students’ Special Services, Teacher - Veritas Academy, Austin, TX, 2014-2016

• Utilized classical education and ESL pedagogy, with specific attention paid to the needs of older students who were internationally adopted

• Maintained and documented a 2-4 year increase per year of each student’s grade level equivalency in reading, math, and writing

• Collaborated with parents in implementing university-style curriculum (3 days of formal school, 2 days of homeschool)

• Assessed and monitored academic abilities using BRIGANCE Comprehensive Inventory of Basic Skills (CIBS II), DIBLES, and student portfolios

• Adjusted curriculum for individualization based on students’ needed skills, retention of skills, and mastery of skills

• Accommodated and/or modified grade level curriculum in inclusion classes (Social Studies, Science, and Leadership) and supported faculty as needed

5th grade Reading, Teacher - Veritas Academy, Austin, TX, 2014-2015

• Utilized a classical education model to foster increased competency and delight in both written and oral forms of the English language through the study of great works of literature and non-fiction sources

7th grade Discipleship, Teacher - Veritas Academy, Austin, TX, 2015-2016

• Fostered character and faith growth through exploration of core values and perspectives of both the students' culture and other world cultures

Cello Instructor - Regents School of Austin, Austin, TX, 2011-2013

• Imparted technical skills for playing and maintaining the instrument

• Fostered delight in musicianship

• Imparted historical background of musical selections and composers

• Coordinated performances

Special Education, Teacher - Popham Elementary, Del Valle, TX, 2005-2010

• Maintained 1-2 years growth within a year’s time of each student’s Grade Equivalency in Reading and Math

• Utilized a Constructivist approach and Universal Design to engage learners with varied disabilities in Resource Reading, Language Arts, and Math classes for 4th-6th grade students

• Created and facilitated a monthly meeting of Paraprofessionals and General Education Teachers focusing on evaluating Inclusion services and strategies, discussing individual student cases, and collaborative problem-solving 

• Planned, presented, and supported the integration of technology into Resource and General Education classrooms, and provided ongoing technical support 

• Member of Campus Technology Committee

Additional Training

• Glass Fusing classes and mentorship with Paul Tarlow at Helios Fused Glass Studio

• Glass Fusing classes by Richard Parrish, Narcissus Quagliata, Jane Bruce, Bob Leatherbarrow, Nathan Sandberg, Amanda Simmons, and Bullseye Glass Co.

• Adult/Pediatric CPR certified

• Texas Behavior Support Initiative (TBSI) certified

Professional Affiliations

• Glass Art Society, 2022-current

• Art Alliance For Contemporary Glass, 2022-current

• Austin Women in Business for Good, 2022-current

• Council for Exceptional Children, 2002-2019

• Texas State Teachers Association/National Education Association, 2005-2019

Community Involvement/Other

Brentwood Elementary School, Volunteer

PTA Board member, 2018-2021

Brentwood Rocks concert, coordinator/general manager, 2019

School-wide Tie Dye, assistant coordinator, 2018

Room mom, Ms. Bush’s 2nd grade class, 2018-2019

Room mom, Ms. Meyers’s Kindergarten class, 2016-2017

Austin Cello Choir, Member, 2013-2017

High School Girls Small Group Leader, First Evangelical Free Church, Austin, TX 2008-2012

Student Council for Exceptional Children, President, University of Texas, Austin, TX 2001-2002

Virgil T. Blossom Teacher Scholarship recipient, San Antonio, TX 2001