About Me
With Mike Irwin, my cooperating teacher
Education
I grew up in Santa Barbara, where I attended La Colina Junior High and San Marcos High School, and where I firs discovered my passion for art. I went on to earn my B.A. in Fine Art from the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara. There, I worked closely with local artist Hank Pitcher, who helped inspire me to develop my focus in plein air paintings of Santa Barbara landscapes. I earned my Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art through Westmont College, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Westmont community. I completing student teaching placements at La Cumbre Junior High and San Marcos High school, where I taught Freehand Drawing, Painting I&II, and Advanced Painting, and AP Art.
I grew up in Santa Barbara, where I attended La Colina Junior High and San Marcos High School, and where I firs discovered my passion for art. I went on to earn my B.A. in Fine Art from the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara. There, I worked closely with local artist Hank Pitcher, who helped inspire me to develop my focus in plein air paintings of Santa Barbara landscapes. I earned my Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art through Westmont College, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the Westmont community. I completing student teaching placements at La Cumbre Junior High and San Marcos High school, where I taught Freehand Drawing, Painting I&II, and Advanced Painting, and AP Art.
Teaching Experience
With my teaching assistant, Julia Elliott, at Adelante's annual art show
For the last two years I have worked as a full time teaching artist through the Incredible Children’s Art Network (iCAN) at Adelante Charter School. iCAN is a local non-profit organization that brings high quality arts programs to elementary schools with a majority of English Learners and students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
As an iCAN art teacher, I have grown as an educator through extensive opportunities for training, professional development, and collaboration with other iCAN teaching artists. Last year, I attended the NAEA National Conference for Art Educators in New York, and which inspired me to incorporate many new project ideas ideas and teaching strategies into my curriculum. Working at the elementary level has challenged me to develop my skills teaching projects using a variety of media, including ceramics, acrylic and watercolor paints, mixed media assemblage, embroidery, and printmaking.
As an iCAN art teacher, I have grown as an educator through extensive opportunities for training, professional development, and collaboration with other iCAN teaching artists. Last year, I attended the NAEA National Conference for Art Educators in New York, and which inspired me to incorporate many new project ideas ideas and teaching strategies into my curriculum. Working at the elementary level has challenged me to develop my skills teaching projects using a variety of media, including ceramics, acrylic and watercolor paints, mixed media assemblage, embroidery, and printmaking.
Teaching-Related Experience
Throughout college, I spent my summers teaching surfing and leading adventure programs, and discovered my passion for working with young people. I had my first experience teaching art during my time as a student at the College of Creative Studies, where I planned and facilitated a student-led seminar class in plein air landscape painting. My responsibilities involved creating the course curriculum, planning and organizing weekly field trips to paint outdoors around Santa Barbara County, and facilitating weekly class critiques.
Other Interests