Keara Connor
Art Educator
I empower children to explore art materials and techniques, tell stories, and build creations that blur the line between expression and invention, through dialogue and play.
M.A.Ed, Art Education, GA Teaching Certificate
August 2014
University of Georgia, Athens GA
GPA: 3.94
Honors: Kappa Delta Pi
Professional Organizations: National Art Education Association, GAEA, Professional Association of Georgia Educators
Nonprofit Management Certificate December 2010
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC GPA: 3.6
B.A., International Studies, Minor in Creative Writing
May 2009
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Summa Cum Laude
GPA: 3.96
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, International Studies Award for Thesis, Departmental Honors in International Studies, Class Honors (second highest GPA) 2005-2008, Honor Student 2005-2009
Study Abroad: International Christian
University, Tokyo, Japan
Summer 2008
Resume
Education
Student Teacher, Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson, GA March-April 2014
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Wrote curriculum for and facilitated problem-based learning project involving nearly 80 6th graders over two months, culminating in exhibition at the Lyndon House Art Center
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Students collaborated in design teams to brainstorm, design, prototype, and build 12 6'x6' exhibits for a traveling museum on themes of their choice
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Supervising teacher: Shana Norton (snorton@jeffcityschools.org)
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Student Teacher, Barrow Elementary School, Athens, GA January-February, 2014
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Collaborated with supervising teacher to plan and teach lessons for Pre-K-5
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Taught solo all grades for one week
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Wrote curriculum for and facilitated collaborative problem-based learning project for 3rd graders on kinetic art
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Supervising teacher: Rita Foretich (foretichr@clarke.k12.ga.us)
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Other Significant Field Experience
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Observer, Oglethorpe High School, Lexington, GA November, 2013
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Observer, Clarke Middle School, Athens, GA September-October, 2013
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Observer, Malcolm Bridge Elementary, Watkinsville, GA October-November, 2013
Field Experience
Work Experience
Lead Teacher and Outreach Instructor, Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens, GA June 2012-2014
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Plan, prepare for, and teach after-school art classes for ages 4-6 throughout school year
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Plan, prepare for, and teach over 30 summer art camps for children ages 4-6 and 7-11
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Oversee assistants and volunteers
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Help plan, prepare for, and participate in special events such as India Festival, MLK Day, Holiday Festival, etc.
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NAEA Grant: Develop and teach traveling classes on Indian art at four local community centers, leading up to exhibition of student work at LHAC India Festival
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Write final assessment and reflection of outreach portion of grant
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Lead Preschool Teacher, Arrow Space for Families, Athens, GA August 2012- December 2013
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Plan, prepare for, and teach 2-3 yr. old “seedlings” class based on the Waldorf philosophy, through music, movement, imaginative play, nature and science, art, reading and early literacy
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Nurture a loving, safe and exploratory environment
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Write monthly newsletter for parents
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Compose and sing original songs with the children connected to weekly theme
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Maintain cleanliness and organization of space
Activity Instructor, Treehouse Kid and Craft, Athens, GA September 2011-2014
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Plan, prepare for, and teach weekly classes and camps for infants to children 10 years old
Independent Artist, Tutor, and Babysitter, Fairfax, VA, Greensboro, NC, Athens, GA 2005-2014
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Commissioned portraits for various clients
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Murals
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Designed and painted mural of a 12x7 ft. “50’s diner” made to appear as if an extension of room in employer’s home
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Designed and painted two murals of trees for “Bloomingtales Bookstore” exhibit in Greensboro Children’s Museum
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Independent tutor in art, science, reading, and writing for young children; weekly babysitter for multiple families
Wait Staff and Child Outreach Instructor, Heirloom Café and Fresh Market, Athens, GA 2011-2012
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Perform opening duties and run front of the café for breakfast and lunch service
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Maintain a friendly and informative attitude with patrons
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Attend to needs of patrons (take order; serve food & drinks; fulfill any requests; present check & process payment)
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Develop bi-monthly classes for children; design, prepare, and lead art and craft activities
After-school Preschool Instructor, Little Ones Academy, Athens, GA 2011
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Develop art activities in coordination with daily learning objectives
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Ensure the safety of all children
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Lead group activities, such as reading to children, singing songs, playing interactive games
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Maintain cleanliness and organization of space
Art Education Director, Greensboro Children’s Museum, Greensboro, NC 2009-2011
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Create and sustain programming for art exhibit “Creation Station”
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Envision, design, prepare, and facilitate five different art activities for up to 500 children a week on different artists, cultures, history, science, and literature through a variety of artistic mediums
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Write curricula weekly for all projects
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Perform general maintenance of exhibit
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Assist Education team members in programming and inclusion of arts into exhibits
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Assist Marketing and Edible Schoolyard teams with inclusion of arts
Development Assistant, Greensboro Children’s Museum, Greensboro, NC 2009
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Enter all donations into donor database
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Write specialized templates for thank you letters to donations and generate letters on daily basis as donations are received
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Write and edit internal documents, such as Executive Summaries, Board materials
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Assist CEO and Development Director in daily tasks, such as market research, data entry, creation of marketing materials
Intern, Program Assistant, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Alexandria, VA 2006-2009
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Manage multiple tasks on a deadline for State Management, Quality Partners, and Communications departments
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Write original abstracts of internal publications for the agency website
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Analyze conference data and create quantitative and qualitative reports
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Serve as secretary for various committees and provide minutes reports
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Manage and create multiple databases