About me
I have worked in a school environment full time for the last a few years since graduating with a First Class degree in Fine Art. I was recently promoted to Lead Teacher of Art. Before this I explored the role of artist in residence at Primary, Secondary and Special schools, and at University level. I am a great team player and enjoy working with the public. I became an art teacher to transform lives, to ensure young people can feel confident to express themselves and are aware of how important the arts are to everyday life. The skills involved in being a classroom educator are very transferable, my role as Lead Teacher ( i.e. head of department) demanded impeccable administration skills, as head of department over half of my teaching timetable was allocated to administrative tasks. Being a Lead Teacher at the highest performing non selective free school in the country required me to have high literacy and numeracy skills to successfully deliver lessons, assess and data analyse students performance and communicate with the senior leadership team, parents, governors etc.
I consider myself to be a social and likeable person, My friendly nature has enabled me to create a number of professional relationships with colleagues and students. Students often come to me for advice. As Lead teacher of art in a deprived area of central London, I work with a diverse range of students. I am able to recognise and differentiate pupil's special educational and cultural needs to provide inclusive opportunities for all. This has given me an appreciation for different cultures and sensitivity towards different ways of life. I have a good understanding of diversity.
I have always been extremely hard working and motivated. During my degree I completed an NVQ level 2 Dispensary Assistants and Counter Assistants course whilst working at a Pharmacy. I put a 100% into everything I do. I am very good at time management and prioritising tasks to ensure that deadlines are met, being an effective planner has enabled me to achieve consistently good / outstanding lessons throughout my teaching career.
I enjoy working with the community and providing inspiring, creative learning opportunities for all. I have had experience volunteering in a number of gallery and museum settings and I am interested in developing my skills in this area further. I would love to start 2016 in a new and exciting career in the arts.
Projects
- 'Mystery' Artist in Residency, Romilly Primary SchoolA ‘mystery’ themed project exploring different mediums within art and design. Primarily focusing on the mystery behind how an artwork is made. Over the four weeks the pupils created a series of mystery prints experimenting with paint, clay and camera-less photography techniques. This resulted in the making of individual pieces of art and a collaborative piece for exhibition, whilst also gaining an understanding of the techniques involved and an appreciation for artists who use these processes.
- Arts in Action, Bryn Primary SchoolAt Bryn Primary, I planned and taught a series of multimedia art lessons to KS1 pupils. Although just year 1 students, I was able to teach them a number of skills, from painting and drawing (where I introduced different methods and movements, including cubism) to creating 3D ceramic pieces of art exploring everyday objects and using the ipads and Macs to research artists
- Arts in Action, Ysgol Crug GlasYsgol Crug Glas is a special school in Swansea, where the students have very complex learning difficulties. I worked with students aged 3-19 over a series of weeks creating work for an exhibition which was held in Swansea Guild Hall. The students are unable to communicate verbally and are very limited to what they can do in lessons at this school. As such, I carefully created a project that explored the sensation of touch.
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Work history
Lead Teacher OF ART
As Lead teacher of art in an 'outstanding' school in a deprived area of London, I am able to recognise and differentiate pupil's special educational and cultural needs to provide a tailored challenge to all. I organise and lead the art curriculum both in planning and delivery for students aged 11-18, creating a rigorous curriculum. I am responsible for ensuring all resources are prepared correctly ready for lessons. As head of the department I am constantly finding the most effective way to keep the budget low and to monitor finances. I carefully analyse progress and attainment data to make data-driven changes to curriculum design, and arrange pupil interventions. Being head of department requires impeccable administration skills, I organise meetings with outside artists and gallery coordinators to provide the students with exciting opportunities to enrich their lives. I maintain regular and productive communication with parents, to report on progress, sanctions and rewards and all other communications.
Art Teacher
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As an art teacher in a diverse area of North London, I developed an appreciation of vastly different approaches to the arts worldwide, allowing me to help students find work that most stimulated their creative flair and pushed their academic progress. I found it extremely important to celebrate my class's success on a personal and collaborative level, providing high aspirations for all students. I taught a total 270 students aged 11-18 years on a weekly basis and I was able to effectively manage behaviour and engage all students inside and outside the classroom. I regularly arranged trips for the students to experience the first class world of art that London has to offer.
As de-facto head of department I had a number of additional responsibilities. I have excellent time management and organisational skills, I managed the art technician and the departments budget.
I was also a form tutor, supporting the students pastorally. I am able to form strong links with parents and guardians.
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Skills
- Teaching
- Events
- Visual Arts
- Writing
- Craft
- Drawing
- Painting
- Public Art
- Fine Art
- Multi-media Artist
- Problem Solving
- Office
- Powerpoint
- Word
- Customer Service
Education
PGCE Secondary Art and Design
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At the beginning of this course I created a ‘Mystery’ themed print based project with year 5 pupils. I then began my first secondary placement at Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive, a school which celebrates pupil’s success, encouraging students regardless of their ability or background to achieve their personal best. My professional leadership and management of my classes, coupled with my excellent organisational skills was widely acknowledged, resulting in me achieving consistently good to outstanding graded lessons. This school had a headquarters for students on the autistic spectrum, a number of whom I taught. I am able differentiate and recognise pupil’s special educational needs including gifted and talented, providing challenge to all. My second placement was at the largest high school in Wales, Whitchurch High in Cardiff. My dedication to the profession was rewarded with a letter of commendation by the Dean of Cardiff School of Education.
BA(Hons) Fine Art Combined Media
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I was awarded a First Class Honours degree. During year 1, I used traditional painting, drawing and printmaking methods. In my 2nd and 3rd year, I worked more 3D, exploring ceramics, casting and mould making techniques. I also explored camera less photography techniques and the art of the luminogram and cyanotype, after seeing the ‘Shadow Catchers’ exhibition at the V&A.
I was an artist intern and volunteer for the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Beyond Text project called ‘Future Memory in Place’ . The project’s aim was to ‘bring together the common experience people share about a place.’ Working as part of a team we visited schools, colleges, drop in centres and galleries to draw and paint the surrounding landscape. I assisted in the running of a series of workshops held at The National Waterfront Museum and The Glynn Vivian Museum http://projects.beyondtext.ac.uk/deplacingfuturememory-fo/index.php.
I was artist in resident in primary schools for Arts in Action http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/art-design/arts-in-action/
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Awards
Olevi Outstanding Teachers Programme
I was chosen for the OLEVI programme for outstanding teachers in July and worked with deputy heads and other heads of departments across London to present examples of best practise and undergo a coaching programme. This demonstrated my ability to stay focused on the audience when speaking and listening. I now have the skills to coach colleagues to raise performance levels, coaching is all about listening.
(http://www.olevi.com/our-programmes/the-outstanding-teacher-programme-otp/)