Why I taught the arts?

When I was a little girl, I wanted to pursue a career in the arts. I choose the arts as a vehicle and outlet for me to express myself through using the arts. If it was not for the love of the arts and I had the opportunity to teach visual arts, literary arts, and dance throughout my community in the past. It gave me the opportunity to express myself as it is related to bullying and culture, especially to minority race.

I taught various art forms such as collage design, abstract painting, drawing, poetry, and dance to children, youth and dance.

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

ARTS SPECIALIST. Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, DC, Washington, D.C. June 20, 2018 - July 25, 2018. Plan and present visual arts classes for students of varying backgrounds and abilities , create a safe, structured, and positive environment for each student; and prepare and disseminate a weekly report for the Program Manager, Justin Love.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. DC International School, Washington, D.C. 2016 - 2017. Managed and co-managed select classrooms; provided instructions according to prepared lesson plans; ensure classroom environment that promoted active learning while working with students to reinforce learning objectives as defined by the school; and performed other assigned duties.

AFRICAN DANCE INSTRUCTOR. Roda Movements, Takoma Park, M.D.. 2015 - 2015. Taught a group of young children ages 7 - 9. Students learned a variety of West African Dances, cultural and historical context for each dance with a 1/2 hour warm-up, and energetic dance movements. Students learned a variety of West African Dances, cultural and historical within the context for each dance.

WEST AFRICAN DANCE INSTRUCTOR. M.O.M.I.E.S TLC and YWDEP, Washington, DC. SUMMER 2015 Kingdom Kids Care, Washington, DC. Provided West African dance instruction to a group of students for a Summer Camp program such as M.O.M.I.E.S. TLC and Y.W.D.E.P. Students learned a variety of West African Dances, cultural and historical context for each dance with a 1/2 hour warm-up, and energetic dance movements. Students learned a variety of West African Dances, cultural and historical within the context for each dance. Also provided instruction for students at several other organizations including Kingdom Kids Care, Washington, DC. (July 3, 2013 - July 17, 2013) Hyde Addison Elementary School (May 18, 2013)

SUBSTITUTE DANCE INSTRUCTOR. Joy of Motion Dance Center, Washington, DC. August 2013. Provided dance instruction to students grades 9 -12 in the absence of the studio teacher for the World Intensive Summer Camp.

SUBSTITUTE DANCE INSTRUCTOR. Joy of Motion Dance Center, Washington, DC. 2013 - 2015. Provided dance instruction to children and adults in the absence of the studio teacher. Taught Samba Fusion - All Levels and Afro Beats - All Levels.

AFROBEAT, a dance class that includes a fusion of modern and African upbeat combinations to Nigerian music, inspired by FELA! the musical.

Samba Fusion, a dance workout that brings the benefits of basic samba/axe drills and steps to tone muscles.

SUMMER ACADEMY CAMP PART- TIME ELECTIVE ART TEACHER. Higher Achievement, Washington, DC - Metro. July 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013 (Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Campus); and 2003-2004 (Bruce Monroe Elementary School). Created and implemented a visual arts lesson plan for summer program, specific to 5th - 8th grade students of varying backgrounds and abilities. Students gained knowledge and dexterity in specific forms of visual arts, including abstract painting.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. Mundo Verde Public Charter Schools, Washington, DC. December 2013 - 2014. Managed and co-managed select classrooms; provided instructions according to prepared lesson plans; ensure classroom environment that promoted active learning while working with students to reinforce learning objectives as defined by the school; and performed other assigned duties.

AFFILIATED TEACHING ARTIST. Young Playwrights' Theatre (YPT), Washington, DC. October 2012 - May 2013.Planned and presented visual arts classes for first and second grade students of varying backgrounds and abilities , integrating literacy fundamentals within the context of the classroom instruction; created a safe, structured, and positive environment for each student; established my own classroom rules for each student to follow; and prepared and disseminated a weekly report for the Program Manager, Laurie Ascoli.

SUBSTITUTE AFRICAN DANCE PRE - PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR. The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW), Washington, D.C. 2010 - 2012.Provided West African Dance Classes for the Pre-Professional Program targeted for ages 12-21 on Wednesdays.

PAST VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS

Kuumba Arts and Crafts Program (1995-1998). D.C. Department of Recreation (Emery Recreation Center, Parkview Recreation Center, Hamilton Recreation Center and Upshur Recreation Center) from 1997 - 1998 and A - T Seban Mesut (1995- 1998). Sponsored by Ms. Afrika Abney and funded by the D.C. Commission of the Arts, Arts Education Grant Program - https://msafrikaabney.weebly.com/kuumba-arts-and-crafts-program.html

Kuumba Expressions Visual Art Workshops (2015 and 2016).Culture Coffee on January 31, 2015 and Potter's House on May 16, 2016 and May 23, 2016. Sponsored by Culture Coffee, Potter's House and Esther Productions, Inc Art Enablers. - https://msafrikaabney.weebly.com/kuumba-expressions.html

SELECTED LITERARY WORKSHOP

Enhancing Our Imaginations funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Takoma Park Library, Washington, DC. 2003

COMMUNITY CAREER DAY VISUAL ART WORKSHOPS

2016. Eliot (invited by Ms. Ophelia Morgan).

1996. Calvin Coolidge High School (invited by Ms. Angela Cook)

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