EDUCATION
Tufts University/ The School at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Masters in Art Teaching, 2006
GPA 3.8
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree with a Minor in Psychology, 2001
GPA 3.36
University of Hawai’i-Manoa, Honolulu, HI
National Student Exchange Participant, 1999-2000
WORK EXPERIENCE
06/18 - present Art Teacher, Salmon River High School, Fort Covington, NY
- Teach Studio Art projects for students 9th-12th grade and High School Digital Photography
- Middle School and High School Yearbook Advisor
- Cooperating/Host teacher for student teacher from Elmira College
- Mentor for new Middle School art teacher 2018-2019, 2019-2020
- Middle School and High School Yearbook Advisor
- Cooperating/Host teacher for student teacher from Elmira College
- Mentor for new Middle School art teacher 2018-2019, 2019-2020
- Continually assess student ability levels and learning with formative and summative assessments
- Designed and maintain art teaching website http://artwithlayla.blogspot.com/
- Presenter, NSYATA New York State Art Teachers Association, Binghamton, NY November 2019
08/14 - 06/18 Art Teacher, Salmon River Middle School, Fort Covington, NY
- Designed and maintain art teaching website http://artwithlayla.blogspot.com/
- Presenter, NSYATA New York State Art Teachers Association, Binghamton, NY November 2019
08/14 - 06/18 Art Teacher, Salmon River Middle School, Fort Covington, NY
- Teach art projects for students 6th-8th grade and High School Digital Photography
- Middle School and High School Yearbook Advisor
- Middle School and High School Yearbook Advisor
08/13 - 06/14 Classroom Teacher & Art Teacher, Little River Community School, Canton, NY
- Taught academic lessons that actively engaged learners. Provided students with the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through creative expression, cognitive strategies, and broad range of aesthetic and critical expression.
- Planned and taught lessons based on childrens’ age level and interest in a multi-age classroom K-5th
- Taught age-appropriate art projects for students ages K - 12th
- Planned and taught lessons based on childrens’ age level and interest in a multi-age classroom K-5th
- Taught age-appropriate art projects for students ages K - 12th
01/13 - 06/13 Substitute Teacher, Salmon River Central School District, Fort Covington, NY
- Taught core academic subjects, art, music, physical education, special education, computer applications, and reading specialist to students K-12th grade
- Taught core academic subjects, art, music, physical education, special education, computer applications, and reading specialist to students K-12th grade
- Promoted courteous conduct by demonstrating and insisting on respectful behavior
2010 - 2012 Previous Owner & Lead Wedding Planner, Simply Savannah Events, Savannah, GA
- Established Simply Savannah Events from the ground up
- Floral designer and event decorator including personalized guest favors, chalk boards, escort table, as well as, ceremony décor and reception table set-up
- Handled the logistics of coordinating with all the vendors, organized timelines, ensured flawless execution on the day of the events, and problem solved if any issues arose
- Published by many wedding magazines and online blogs
- Established Simply Savannah Events from the ground up
- Floral designer and event decorator including personalized guest favors, chalk boards, escort table, as well as, ceremony décor and reception table set-up
- Handled the logistics of coordinating with all the vendors, organized timelines, ensured flawless execution on the day of the events, and problem solved if any issues arose
- Published by many wedding magazines and online blogs
2011 & 2012 Full Time Summer Camp Art Teacher, Savannah's Place for Art, Culture & Education, Savannah, GA
- Taught age-appropriate art projects for students ages 4-12 yrs old
- Taught age-appropriate art projects for students ages 4-12 yrs old
08/08 - 08/10 Art Teacher, Isle of Hope Elementary, Savannah, GA
- Planned and taught art lessons based on Georgia Art Curriculum PreK-6th
- Mentored two college students from Savannah College of Arts and Design, Master of Art Teaching, for their observation and field experience
- Planned and taught art lessons based on Georgia Art Curriculum PreK-6th
- Mentored two college students from Savannah College of Arts and Design, Master of Art Teaching, for their observation and field experience
- Yearbook designer and coordinator
- Organized visiting artist day for the students
- Organized visiting artist day for the students
- Continually assessed student ability levels and learning with formative and summative assessments
01/08 - 08/08 Was employed by a family member to handle a difficult transition involving estate management, sale of assets, and home health care.
08/07 - 01/08 Art Teacher, Spencer Elementary and Garrison Elementary, Savannah, GA
- Traveled throughout both schools teaching art for K-5th
- Planned and taught art lessons based on Georgia Art Curriculum
- Traveled throughout both schools teaching art for K-5th
- Planned and taught art lessons based on Georgia Art Curriculum
- Continually assessed student ability levels and learning with formative and summative assessments
09/06 - 06/07 Interim Art Teacher, Nabnasset School and Abbot School, Westford, MA
- Traveled throughout both schools teaching art for K-5th
- Planned and taught art lessons based on Massachusetts Art Curriculum
- Developed an innovative art program with strong interdisciplinary connection
- Created puppets and stages with 2nd grade children for Aesop's Fables puppet show performance for their parents
- Traveled throughout both schools teaching art for K-5th
- Planned and taught art lessons based on Massachusetts Art Curriculum
- Developed an innovative art program with strong interdisciplinary connection
- Created puppets and stages with 2nd grade children for Aesop's Fables puppet show performance for their parents
- Continually assessed student ability levels and learning with formative and summative assessments
TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS
New York Teaching Certification Visual Arts (current)
Georgia Visual Arts P-12 (previously held)
Massachusetts Visual Arts PreK-8
FREELANCE EMPLOYMENT
01/13 - present Web Design for private client
- Updated existing websites by altering, removing, or adding content as needed with html coding
- Communicated effectively with customers seeking changes
- Currently creating new website with Square Space
11/12 - present Blogger & Editor, A Military Story, www.amilitarystory.com
- Write all posts, crop and process photos creating collage layouts, and insert photography
- Designed website, maintain, and update website with html coding
- Write all posts, crop and process photos creating collage layouts, and insert photography
- Designed website, maintain, and update website with html coding
02/14 Adult Watercolor Classes, Norwood Library, Norwood, NY
- Raised adult student awareness, understanding, and techniques of watercolor basics through creative instruction.
- Class duration was four Thursdays in February, 2014 (February 6, 13, 20 & 27)
June 29, 2013 Arts & Crafts Coordinator and Facilitator for LibraryPalooza, Norwood, NY
- Decorated the library for the Dig In To Reading event kick-off
- Planned, organized and facilitated the arts & crafts activities
- Decorated the library for the Dig In To Reading event kick-off
- Planned, organized and facilitated the arts & crafts activities
INTERNSHIP
Summer 2000 Graphic Design Internship, Harpell/Martins & Company, Maynard, MA
- Created and assisted with strategic marketing, advertising, media planning and buying, and public relations
- Created two color corporate identity packages and logos for company
- Created two color corporate identity packages and logos for company
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Art Education Association
- North Country Art Teachers Association
- New York State Art Teachers Association
EXHIBITIONS
Annual NCATA Art Teacher Exhibit, James F. Montpelier Gallery, Ogdensburg, NY, September 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
Franklin County Fair, Domestic Art Barn, Malone, NY, August 2016, 2017, 2018
SCCPSS Art Teachers Exhibition, Savannah Arts Academy, Savannah, GA, 2007, 2008, 2009
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Junior/Senior Juried Awards Exhibition, 2001
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Augusta Savage Gallery, BFA Solo Show 2001
SCCPSS Art Teachers Exhibition, Savannah Arts Academy, Savannah, GA, 2007, 2008, 2009
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Junior/Senior Juried Awards Exhibition, 2001
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Augusta Savage Gallery, BFA Solo Show 2001
STUDIO ART SKILLS
Ceramics hand-building and wheel throwing, Art History, 3D Sculpture, Mixed Media, Drawing, Watercolor, Encaustic Painting, Printmaking, Bookbinding, Alternative Photography Polaroid transfers
DIGITAL ART & COMPUTER SKILLS
Digital & Film Photography, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, Pixlr, Web design, HTML and blogging, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Interactive Promethean and Smart Boards
REFERENCES UPON REQUEST
