Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Dr. Donna J. Clark
Open To Work

Dr. Donna J. Clark

Kenosha

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: 2 weeks notice

Desired Job Title

Vocal Director/General Music TeacherInstrumental Music DirectorDirector of Choirs/ General Music Classroom TeacherInstrumental Music Director/Auditorium ManagerDirector of Choirs

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

RemoteHybrid
Location: Kenosha, USMilwaukee WIAntioch ILChicago IL
Open to relocation: No

Salary Range

$70000/yr - $120000/yr

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCareer advancementHealthcare benefitsPaid sick leave

Summary

Music educator with 15 years of experience in middle and high school band programs, achieving over 500% growth in ensemble membership. Expertise in curriculum design and conducting for various band types, including concert, pep, jazz, and marching bands. Proven ability to enhance student engagement and musical development through innovative teaching methods. Secured significant grants and led successful performances that fostered strong community connections.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications

Work History

Vocal Director/General Music Teacher

Miguel Juarez Middle School
Waukegan
01.2022 - Current
  • Started a choral program and built it from 0 students to 90 in two years.
  • Ran after-school choir program to increase student enrollment and interest in choir.
  • Responsible for designing a curriculum that engaged students and had a logical scope and sequence for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade General Music.
  • Produced a Silent Movie soundtrack EP of original music composed by the 8th-grade General Music Students
  • Produced a solo “album” of an 8th-grade vocalist
  • Led school-wide PBIS program to enhance student behavior and engagement.
  • Led the Encore department and served on the Sight Leadership Team.
  • Planned and ran school assemblies, attendance incentives, and award ceremonies for the entire school.
  • Participated in the Sight Leadership Team.
  • Led the PBIS program for one year.

Instrumental Music Director

McKinley Middle International Baccalaureate School
Racine
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band and 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestra.
  • Planned student-centered IB units, fostering deep listening, performance proficiency, compositional creativity, and critical thinking in music education.
  • Founded after-school jazz group, connecting students with community through collaboration with local food bank and Holiday Train, enhancing community engagement.
  • Received a unanimous Superior rating for the Orchestra in a local WSMA festival.
  • Received a Superior rating for the band in the local WSMA festival
  • Showcased student compositions at IB night, providing platform for students to present project work and demonstrate musical growth.

Director of Choirs/ General Music Classroom Teacher

Starbuck Middle School
Racine
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Developed unit-based lessons using UbD and blended learning to address diverse student abilities and promote engagement.
  • Instructed six music classes across grades 6-8, enhancing students' musical skills and fostering a collaborative environment.
  • 100% of 6th and 7th-grade musicians can read treble and bass clef notation.
  • Produced a CD featuring student soloists, showcasing their talents and providing a platform for performance experience.

Instrumental Music Director/Auditorium Manager

Messmer High School
Milwaukee
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Classroom teacher for vocal and instrumental music classes.
  • Produced two concerts and one Arts Festival, showcasing K-12 student work across all disciplines.
  • Managed auditorium, including calendar, equipment, staffing, and staff training.
  • Developed a student-led team responsible for managing lights, sound, and stage operations for all auditorium events.
  • Oversaw the upkeep of equipment and arranged inspections for curtains, sound system, and lights to comply with local regulations.
  • Collaborated with the drama teacher to create a Christmas celebration that was a multimodal performance.
  • Implemented program enabling student selection of music for campus ministry, aligning with liturgical calendar and readings.
  • Designed project-based units to creatively incorporate all state standards.
  • Student silent film project, judged by the Assistant Movie Producer for Into the Wild

Director of Choirs

Saint Catherine High School
Racine
01.2015 - 06.2015
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive curriculum for choirs, fostering student engagement and musical growth.
  • Led classroom instruction and performances for middle school and high school mixed choirs as long-term substitute.
  • Connected choirs with development department to enhance visibility and support for music program.
  • Facilitated student selection of music for campus ministry aligned with the liturgical calendar.
  • Selected two students for nomination and acceptance into the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music.
  • Coordinated entertainment activities for Black and White Ball

Elementary Music and Elementary Band Teacher

Wilson Elementary and Multiple Middle Schools
Kenosha
01.2014 - 12.2014
  • Ensured 100% student proficiency in reading music at grade level through targeted instruction and assessment.
  • Conducted group lessons for beginning band students, organized by instrument, enhancing collaborative learning and ensemble performance.
  • Delivered engaging general music lessons to K-5th-grade students, fostering musical appreciation and foundational skills.
  • Implemented multimodal lessons to ensure that all students achieved learning outcomes.

Director of Music

Southwest High School
San Diego
01.2009 - 01.2014
  • Developed the curriculum for all music classes.
  • Executed and monitored recruitment events, increasing student interest and participation in music programs.
  • Increase membership in the music department by over 500% in 5 years
  • Redesigned marching band mission to enhance community connections, fostering greater school spirit and local engagement.
  • Produced at least three concerts, two festivals, and multiple marching band competitions.
  • Coached extra-curricular ensembles, including a jazz band, marching band, winter guard, and percussion ensemble.
  • Created show choir and orchestra in response to student demand
  • Classroom teacher who taught swing choir, orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, and guitar classes.
  • Student selected through a nomination process to participate in the Carnegie Hall Honor Band (only one in the city of San Diego selected)
  • Student successfully auditioned and placed as a member of the Bands of America Honor Band for the Rose Parade
  • Invitation to play at the Great Wall of China by the Chinese Government
  • Invited to play on USS Missouri and Pearl Harbor Memorial by the Veterans Association
  • Secured over $35,000 in grants to enhance resources and opportunities for the music department.
  • Collaborated with Coaches and the athletic director to create new traditions and foster campus and school pride.
  • Approached standards-based curriculum with a student-led focus, creating projects that involved authentic research and real-life experiences.
  • Oversaw department activities as chair.
  • Professional Learning Community Leadership Council

Director of Music

Castle Park High School
Chula Vista
01.2006 - 01.2009
  • Directed music department, overseeing staff management and program development to elevate educational offerings.
  • Secured over $25,000 in grants to support the music department.
  • Initiated fundraising campaign to enhance resources and support for music department activities.
  • Increase membership in the music department by over 300% in 3 years
  • Recruited new members for orchestra and marching band, expanding participation and engagement.
  • Collaborated with the athletic director to re-establish school traditions and bolster school pride.
  • Responsible for writing curriculum for all music classes aligned with State and National Standards.

Instrumental Music Director

La Presa Middle School
01.2000 - 01.2006
  • Classroom teacher for Beginning Strings, Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Bands.
  • Created original instrumental music curriculum aligning with state and national standards, enhancing student engagement.
  • Arranged music to accommodate students of all levels.
  • Created an after-school Jazz Band that was open to all students with qualifying grades
  • Developed the Jazz band into musical ambassadors of the school
  • Received multiple grants totaling over $35,000
  • Created a recording studio on campus for students to use
  • Founded chapter of International Music Honor Society (first one in San Diego County)
  • Oversaw department activities and strategies
  • Participated in planning for Middle School Restructuring Committee

Education

Ph.D. - Performance Psychology

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
12-2023

Master of Music - Music Education

Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
05-2012

Bachelor of Music - Music Education

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
12-1990

Skills

  • Music composition
  • Curriculum design
  • Music theory
  • Audition preparation
  • Ensemble management
  • Classroom management
  • Student engagement strategies
  • Instrument maintenance proficiency
  • Event planning
  • Grant writing
  • Creative problem solving
  • Leadership training
  • Effective communication
  • Safe, positive learning environment

Awards

  • Appointed to the Music Education Board of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)
  • Jefferson Pilot Communications’ 'Teachers are Heroes' Teacher of the Month, 03/01/03
  • Disney Hand Teaching Awards Nominee 2002, 2004, 2005
  • MENC Leadership award for work with Tri-M Honor Society, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Women of Pen, Women of Achievement award and grant.
  • Grammy Nominated Music Educator, quarter finalist 2024, 2025
  • Crystal Award Finalist, 2025

Certification

Illinois teaching license

Wisconsin teaching license

Timeline

Vocal Director/General Music Teacher

Miguel Juarez Middle School
01.2022 - Current

Instrumental Music Director

McKinley Middle International Baccalaureate School
01.2017 - 01.2019

Director of Choirs/ General Music Classroom Teacher

Starbuck Middle School
01.2015 - 01.2017

Instrumental Music Director/Auditorium Manager

Messmer High School
01.2015 - 01.2016

Director of Choirs

Saint Catherine High School
01.2015 - 06.2015

Elementary Music and Elementary Band Teacher

Wilson Elementary and Multiple Middle Schools
01.2014 - 12.2014

Director of Music

Southwest High School
01.2009 - 01.2014

Director of Music

Castle Park High School
01.2006 - 01.2009

Instrumental Music Director

La Presa Middle School
01.2000 - 01.2006

Ph.D. - Performance Psychology

Grand Canyon University

Master of Music - Music Education

Boston University

Bachelor of Music - Music Education

University of Southern California

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Dr. Donna J. Clark