Elizabeth Stokes

• Enhanced students' creative expression through a variety of art mediums, including printing, collage, painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture.
• Established a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encouraged open communication and collaboration among students.
• Improved student engagement in the classroom by designing innovative, project-based learning experiences focused on artistic expression.
• Implemented feedback mechanisms in the classroom, significantly improving teaching methods and student satisfaction.
• Assisted in the development of art-related extracurricular activities, special events, and student rewards such as neon paint glow parties, chalk mural contests, and super soaker tie-dye parties.

• Created, design, and implemented the Elkhart Community Schools (ECS) Art Depot. The Art Depot is a creative, nurturing environment for Elkhart County students to obtain hands-on learning through a business model. The Art Depot consists of an art cafe, student lounge, splat cave, art shop, and art studio.
• Secured over $50,000 in grants and funding for art supplies and resources, enhancing quality of art program.
• Managed budgetary responsibilities, allocating resources effectively to meet department's needs and goals.
• Created, advertised and taught weekly community art classes on painting and ceramics.
• Participated in committees dedicated to enhancing school culture and developing innovative curriculum initiatives within the visual arts department.
• Assessed student progress regularly through formal evaluations, informal observations, and one-on-one conferences, ensuring each learner''s growth was accurately documented.
• Coordinated with vendors and suppliers.
• Engaged with parents and community members through regular newsletters, social media and presentations, increasing support for art program.
• Collaborated with community organizations and planned special events to mark holidays and celebrate special occasions.
• Designed wide variety of activities to stimulate interest, involvement, and engagement of students such as Family Dinner, Wearable Art, Ceramic Studio, Painting Studio, Video Game Club, Splat Cave, Cooking Club, Board Game Club and Minute to Win It Challenges.
• Established and maintained strong relationships with community members, vendors and strategic partners.
• Assigned work to staff, set schedules, and motivated strong performance in key areas.
• Oversaw hiring processes, selecting top-tier candidates to join the department''s talented team of educators.

• Organized successful art exhibits within the school and community, showcasing students' talents and hard work.
• Conducted professional development Ed Talk for teachers, sharing best practices and innovative teaching techniques.
• Collaborated with community arts organizations and local artists to bring real-world experiences into classrooms and provide students with opportunities for learning and growth.
• Mentored new teachers in the department, sharing best practices for curriculum design and classroom management techniques.
• Contributed to a positive school culture by serving on the Vibrant Communities committee and focused on improving the overall educational experience for staff, students, and the community.
• Managed budgetary responsibilities.

High School Art Teacher

• Taught classes on painting, collage, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, and photography.
• Promoted environmental awareness through art projects focused on recycling and sustainability, such as an interactive, educational, under-the-sea exhibit created from over 1000 plastic bottles.
• Collaborated with colleagues to integrate art with other subjects, enriching the overall educational experience, such as cardboard boat races in the swimming pool between departments and the Elkhart Police.
• Increased student participation in art competitions, securing numerous awards and recognitions for the school.
• Enhanced learning with trips to Spain, France, and Chicago’s Art galleries and museums, creating sand sculptures at the beach, and providing real-world insights into the art industry.
• Created ArtReach Mentoring and instituted a mentorship program between upper and lower classmen, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment while creating public murals.
• Created ArtReach Mural Painting. Promoted community partnerships by forging strong relationships with Elkhart Community Schools, local businesses, and the City of Elkhart while promoting public art. The students created over 50 murals throughout Elkhart.
• Created the Art Cafe, which supported student-led initiatives and clubs related to art, empowering students to take leadership roles through the design and construction of the Cafe as well as the maintenance and staffing of the program.
• Guided students in developing their portfolios, aiding in their applications to prestigious art schools and programs. The Art Institute of Chicago was so impressed with an AP3D art student's portfolio that they gave her an additional $10,000 incentive to attend their college.
• Developed and implemented engaging art lessons for students, such as functional Picasso kites, Survivor Art Trivia Week, a 1000 balloons Chihuly sculpture, realistic, life-size people sculptures, modified molds, and a color theory slip and slide.
• Support cultural awareness by creating art exhibits that promote Holocaust awareness with guest speaker and Holocaust survivor, Eva Khor.
• Encouraged students to be productive members of society while emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community by raising over $20,000 through their art for CAPS Elks on Parade and Heart of Elkhart.