Education
2023 MS Curriculum & Instruction, Eastern Illinois University (IN PROGRESS)
2017 MA Art Education, Eastern Illinois University
2008 BFA Honors Degree, Magna Cum Laude in Art Education, Southern Illinois University, School of Art and Design
Leadership
2023-2024 Teacher Advisory Council, National Humanities Center - Durham, NC
2022-current Extension Council - Macon/Piatt/Dewitt Counties, University of Illinois
2017- current Encore Department Head, Stephen Decatur Middle School, DPS61
2014- current Student Council Sponsor, Stephen Decatur Middle School, DPS61
2012-2013 Board Member - Monticello Main Street (Historical Preservation), Monticello, IL
Teaching Experience
2016-current Instructor, private lessons, Decatur, Illinois
2013- current Middle School Art Teacher, Decatur Public Schools, DPS 61
2013- current Instructor, Decatur Arts Council, Decatur, Illinois
2009-2013 Elementary Art Teacher, Decatur Public Schools, DPS 61
2010- 2014 Instructor (Fabric Arts, Sculpture, Watercolor) Monticello Area Arts Council, Monticello Illinois
2004-2006 Director, Arts & Crafts, 4H Memorial Camp, Monticello, Illinois
Grants & Awards
2023 Middle School Art Educator of the Year, Illinois Art Education Association
2023 Teacher Cohort, The 1619 Project, The Pulitzer Center
2023 Learning to Look, National Portrait Gallery Teacher Institute, Smithsonian Institution - Washington DC
2023 Teacher Cohort, BLM: More than a Slogan, National Humanities Center - Durham, NC
2023 Presenter, Illinois Art Education Association Conference (Fewer Dead White Guys, More of Everyone Else)
2022 Teacher of the month, Rotary International, Decatur, Illinois
2018 Presenter, Illinois Art Education Association Conference (African American Art History: Missing from the Curriculum)
2018 Ellen Spycher Classroom Grant, Decatur Area Education Foundation (Classroom Assistance)
2017 Herald & Review: 20 Under 40 - People Who Make a Difference in Central Illinois
2017 Donor's Choose Grant - Polyester Plate Lithography
2016 Teacher Supply Grant - 1st MidAmerica Credit Union
2016 Donor's Choose Grant - Speedball Printing Press
2016 Decatur Area Education Foundation (Supply grant, casting supplies)
2016 Donor's Choose Grant - Monoprintmaking with Gelli Plates
2016 Presenter, Illinois Arts Education Association Conference (African American Art History)
2016 Presenter, Illinois Arts Education Association Conference (Sister Art Teachers - The Sequel)
2015 Presenter, Southern Illinois Arts Education Conference
2015 Presenter, Illinois Arts Education Association Conference (Sister Art Teachers)
2015 Donor's Choose Grant - Supplemental Supplies
2015 Donor's Choose Grant - Chihuly Inspired Sculptures
2014 Donor's Choose Grant - Embroidery Project
2014 Decatur Area Education Foundation (Supply Grant, Printmaking Supplies)
2014 Presenter, Illinois Arts Education Association Conference (Smash Camp)
2013 Donor's Choose Grant - Hundertwasser Landscapes
2013 Decatur Area Education Foundation (Supply Grant, Large Format Printer)
2013 Ellen Spycher Classroom Grant, Decatur Area Education Foundation (Classroom Assistance)
2012 Decatur Area Education Foundation (Supply Grant, Drying Rack)
2008 Charles D. Tenney Memorial Scholarship
2008 Presenter, National Arts Education Association Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2007 REACH Award (Research Enriched Academic Challenge) Southern Illinois University
2007 Julius A. and Norma H. Johnson Endowed Liberal Arts Education Scholarship
2006 Albert & Leyla Somit University Honors Scholarship
2006 Illinois Retired Teachers Scholarship
Art Shows & Exhibitions
2019 Art Teacher Show - Illinois Art Gallery, Decatur, IL
2018 Watercolor Pop Up Trunk Show - The ArtFarm, Decatur, IL
2017 The ArtFarm Decatur - Decatur, IL (ongoing representation)
2016 L.A Gallery Show - Heroic Age Art Studio, Mt. Zion, IL
2016 Teachers/Doers - Carbondale Community Arts - Artspace 304, Carbondale, IL
2007 Art Education Show - Vergette Gallery, SIUC, Carbondale, IL
2007 Love at the Glove - The Glove Factory, SIUC, Carbondale, IL