AMBER C. UNDERWOOD
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Energetic Band Director with 12 years of experience. Successful at teaching band and strings to beginner to Intermediate , and advance levels, planning concerts and monitoring individual student growth. Adept at fundraising and working on strict budgets while cultivating an inspiring workspace for students.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Central Middle School, Director of Bands
Kansas City Public Schools
Kansas City, MO
08.2014 - Current
- Directed and manages overall program of instrumental music for middle school.
- Provided students with opportunity to participate in extracurricular band activities and ensures compliance with all state and district requirements.
- Planned activities to achieve district, region, and state recognition.
- Directed middle school instrumental performances including beginning band, concert band, beginning strings, bucket ensemble, jazz band, soloists, and ensembles.
- Monitored student progress based on detailed weekly lessons and assessments.
- Traveled with band to shows, district showcases, and events and planned transportation for musicians.
- Established performance requirements, enforced academic requirements, and verified each student's eligibility to participate in band.
- Directed extracurricular events, including concerts, parades, festivals, showcases and community events.
- Organized and implemented band trips in accordance with district policy and regulations as well as student interest and ability.
- Arranged transportation and meals for out-of-town events.
- Complied with federal and state laws, State Board of Education rules, MSHSAA rules, and Board of Education policies.
- Supported band booster club activities.
- Organized and conducted tryouts for band, informed administration and participants of final selections.
- Planned, rehearsed, and directed musical experiences for school and community with minimum of three evening performances per school year.
- Cooperated with school administration in providing music programs for school productions, and as appropriate, civic functions that enhance students' performing experience.
- Oversaw scheduling and other arrangements for rehearsals and concerts in cooperation with building principal.
- Prepared students and required documents for District auditions and competitions. Made all arrangements.
- Maintained accurate inventory of school-owned instruments and musical student fees.
- Controlled storage and use of school-owned equipment and materials; made minor adjustments and requested repairs to instruments as required.
- Submitted budget needs annually to principal in accordance with established timelines and guidelines.
- Ordered all supplies and materials necessary for band-related activities in accordance with established district procedures and budget allocations.
- Developed and implemented plans for instrumental music program.
- Prepared lessons that reflect accommodations for individual student differences.
- Planned and used appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of learning styles and needs of students.
- Created environment conducive to learning and appropriate for physical, social, and emotional development for students.
- Other duties as assigned by principal or other administrative staff.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Worked with administrators on behavioral issues to support needs of students.
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Kept classroom organized, clean, and safe for students and visitors.
- Encouraged independent thought, good judgment and expression of original ideas.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Administered assessments and standardized tests to evaluate student progress.
- Assessed musicians and assigned instruments and parts for songs and concerts.
- Instructed classes of up to 50 students on principles and strategies of music elements, music theory, music history, music performance, music technology platforms and apps, music practices, music rehearsal techniques, musicianship, teamwork and discipline.
Elementary Music Teacher
Kansas City Public Schools
Kansas City, MO
08.2012 - 05.2014
- Familiarized students with basic concepts of music such as notes, tempo, symphony, beats, compositions and chords.
- Mentored struggling students with individualized approach to enhance learning.
- Advised parents of student progress by communicating student's achievements and developing methods for improvement.
- Prepared students for live concert performances and talent show performances by creating stage sets, props and costumes.
- Taught students to identify different instruments from instrument's sound and shape.
- Maintained student records and evaluated each pupil's musical growth, performance and musical understanding, using Quaver Music and MusicFirst.
- Coached students to play various songs and jingles on piano, guitar, violin and bongo.
- Taught curriculum enhanced lesson plans to educate approximately 35-40 students about fundamentals and history of music.
- Organized and collected money and forms for mass group field trips and programs.
- Organized musical equipment thoughtfully to develop classroom routines, managing materials efficiently with minimal lost activity time.
- Instructed students on vocal performance, harmonizing, performing scales and proper posturing.
- Directed vocal music students in entry-level group songs such as rounds and movement.
- Administered quizzes and exams to assess student competency levels and develop individual learning plans.
- Instructed individuals and groups in vocal and dance movements to foster music appreciation and comprehension.
- Led instrumental students in playing simple ensemble songs.
- Developed daily lesson plans to generate interest in vocals, movements and use of classroom instruments.
- Showed students how to play Orff instruments, hand drums and pithed and non-pitched instruments.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.
- Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.
- Taught students subject-specific material, learning strategies and social skills.
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal.
- Assessed student learning progress and comprehension with routine tests and standardized examinations.
- Established and enforced rules of behavior to drive social development and maintain positive interactions.
- Collaborated with administrators on classroom policies, management strategies and discipline.
- Kept classroom clean, organized, and safe for students and visitors.
- Organized classroom supplies and decorated walls to create fun, nurturing settings and meet learning needs.
- Stayed abreast of changes to school and district policies as well as new trends in education by attending professional development courses and in-service trainings.
- Boosted individual perseverance and resilience by setting challenging goals and providing realistic support.
- Promoted exploration of building blocks of learning by leading diverse, hands-on activities.
- Chaperoned field trips to maintain safety and encourage learning.
School Assessment Manager
Kansas City Kansas Public School District
Kansas City, KS
08.2009 - 05.2011
- Trained and developed new testing team members and provided continuous mentoring.
- Manage testing environment to mitigate outside variables and increase accuracy.
- Drafted reports to detail findings from testing phases.
- Contributed to quality control efforts and investigation of failed products.
- Developed automated testing to increase efficiency and accuracy of test procedures.
- Communicated with parents to encourage active parental participation in education.
- Built productive relationships with parents of students facing difficult situations at school or at home.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
- Trained teachers on effective teaching techniques, classroom management strategies and behavior modification.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
- Modeled expected and appropriate leadership to promote to teaching staff and administrative personnel positive interaction with students and families.
- Monitored and evaluated educational programs to maintain high-quality performance objectives and standards.
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
- Administered standardized tests to evaluate student performance and progress.
- Maintained school focus on learning by enforcing rules related to academics, student discipline and class attendance.
- Verified student grades, attendance and schedules.
- Counseled students about rules and policies during school assemblies.
- Studied assessment information covering students, teachers and school operations to formulate improvement plans.
Education Coordinator
American Jazz Museum
Kansas City, MO
08.2008 - 06.2009
- Built personal relationships with guests to promote positive experiences.
- Answered questions, pointed out important features, and offered further details about special exhibits to educate visitors.
- Guided groups of up to 10-25 people on tours of the American Jazz Museum.
- Developed tour programming to enhance guest experiences.
- Entertained tour guests with various props and signs for maximum engagement, fun, and lasting memories.
- Provided information through narratives on various sites throughout Kansas City area, relaying little-known stories to provide interest.
- Researched and studied on topics that pertained to tour locations so that such information could be added to scripts.
- Collected tickets and fees from each individual prior to start of tour.
- Worked closely with management staff of [the American Jazz Museum to create new and lucrative tours.
- Drew attention to cracked sidewalks, bad lighting and steps to keep customers safe on tours.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Benefit Authorizer
Social Security Administration, SSA
Kansas City, MO
08.2005 - 06.2007
- Demonstrated to use electronic tools and systems available to organize and process daily work.
- Configured coordination of benefits information and eligibility on every referral and documented pertinent data.
- Maintained database integrity, accurately identified correct account to secure and entered complete client information.
- Presented warm, friendly and empathetic presence in person and by phone using active listening techniques.
- Completed insurance verification and benefit authorization with appropriate documentation in billing system.
- Communicated with people from various cultures and backgrounds on application process.
- Documented all communication with applicants and inputted information into system using government software.
- Followed guidelines when reviewing applicant data to determine eligibility for economic assistance.
- Scheduled appointments with applicants to gather information and explain benefits processes.
- Inputted all gathered information and researched data on applicants into computer system using government software.
- Developed extensive fact-checking and research skills as result of continuously reviewing different programs and options.
- Assessed information gleaned from interviews, educational, and medical records, consultation with other professionals and diagnostic evaluations to identify clients' abilities, needs and eligibility for services.
Education
Master of Arts - Teaching
05.2012
Master of Arts - Music Business And Arts Administration
05.2005
Bachelor of Arts - Music Performance
05.2002
High School Diploma -
05.1997
Skills
- Mentoring Youth
- Instructional Strategies
- Program Facilitation
- Behavior Modification
- Staff Support
- Classroom Practices
- Individualized Lesson Plans
- Team Collaboration
- Group and Individual Instruction
- Student Discipline
- Positive Interactions
- Schedule Management
Accomplishments
- Cover of KC Studio Magazine 2023
- UNESCO Performer, Educator and Panelist for the Semanas Musicales, Frutillar, Chile 2023
- UNESCO Performer, Speaker and Panelist for the American Creative Cities Forum, Queretaro, Mexico 2022
- ArtsKC Luncheon Performer Winner 2020
- Top 25 Jazz Album or Kansas City 2020
- Cover of JAM Magazine 2020
- Teacher of the Year 2019
- Courageous Women of the Arts Award 2017
Timeline
Central Middle School, Director of Bands - Kansas City Public Schools
08.2014 - Current
Elementary Music Teacher - Kansas City Public Schools
08.2012 - 05.2014
School Assessment Manager - Kansas City Kansas Public School District
08.2009 - 05.2011
Education Coordinator - American Jazz Museum
08.2008 - 06.2009
Benefit Authorizer - Social Security Administration, SSA
08.2005 - 06.2007
Pittsburg State University - Master of Arts, Teaching
University of Missouri - Kansas City - Master of Arts, Music Business And Arts Administration
Wichita State University - Bachelor of Arts, Music Performance
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School - High School Diploma,