James Allen Jr
Little Rock,AR
Summary
Arkansas Master Naturalist and Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor eager to expose children to healthier food alternatives through Apple Seeds, Inc. programming.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pottery Instructor
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
03.2021 - 07.2022
- Taught introductory, intermediate, and advanced pottery techniques to students in a maker space setting
Interpretive Planner
Mason Bee Interpretive Planning LLC
02.2021 - 02.2022
- Conducted literature research for interpretive plans at McWane Science Center, which focused on understanding how to use best diversity, equity, and inclusion for audiences residing in underserved communities using science and best practices for interpretive media.
AmeriCorps Service Member
Full-Circle FarmCorps
05.2020 - 09.2020
- Partnered with Forest Park Elementary, Heifer International, and communities to nourish kids' health, education, and sense of belonging. Apple Seeds curriculum was used.
- Serve alongside educators and school nutrition leaders to provide kids with nourishing meals, food education, and culturally affirming food experiences that celebrate and nurture the whole child.
- Develop leaders, grow networks, and advocate for policy change in the service of every kid's health and wellbeing.
- Build onsite interpretive gardens from the ground up to teach children and staff how to grow, cultivate, harvest, and cook healthy food alternatives.
Seasonal Certified Interpretive Guide
The High Desert Museum
07.2019 - 08.2019
- Presented live animal programs: Birds of Prey, Desert Dwellers, and Raptors of Desert Sky
- Assisted/delivered daily talks about raptors, reptiles, native fish species, feral horses, and mammals
- Cleaned animal enclosures as directed by Associate Curator of Wildlife
- Prepared diets for animals, including processing raw meat for carnivores
- Groundskeeping, including raking, sweeping, pulling weeds, etc
- Created and staffed certified museum interpretive cart in public wildlife areas.
Ceramics Department Assistant
The Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts
01.2006 - 01.2018
- Helped run the day-to-day operation of the ceramic studio
- Primary responsibilities included clay reclamation, accounting of consumable materials, operating ceramics equipment, safety mentoring, organization, clean-up of the studio, monitoring of facilities, inventorying chemicals/equipment, kiln firing, and assisting with teaching children 8-18 with making pottery.
Licensed Psychological Examiner/Psychotherapist
Therapeutic Family Services
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Counseled children ages 10 through 18 with emotional and behavioral challenges to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic treatment plans
- Consulted with other professionals, schools, and social services to discuss therapies, treatments, or counseling resources
- Analyzed data such as interview notes and test results to identify symptoms and diagnose the nature of clients' problems
- Referred clients to specialists or other institutions for counseling and non-counseling treatment.
Case Manager
H. L. H. Consultants
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Interviewed individuals in home/school settings to compile social, educational, criminal, or drug history information
- Worked with clients in-home settings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures
- Advised clients regarding food stamps, childcare, sanitation, and housekeeping
- Assisted in locating housing for displaced individuals/families.
Darkroom Photography Department Assistant/Instructor
The Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Provided technical assistance to students on processing film development and paper printing procedures
- Engaged students in the creative process, cultivated their talents, and deepened their knowledge and understanding of traditional film photography processes.
Counselor/Lead Teacher/Coordinator
Skyway's Summer Enrichment Program
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Served as counselor/lead teacher of children ages 5-14
- Conducted group /one-on-one therapy sessions
- Coordinated outings (educational and recreational)
- Prepared and graded work assignments.
Licensed Test Proctor
Avon Williams Testing Center
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Instructed and monitored individuals as they took standardized tests.
Foreman/Superintendent
M. D. Allen Contracting
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Participated in the conceptual development of a construction project by overseeing its organization, scheduling, and implementation
- Determined labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites
- Directed and supervised 5-20 workers.
Mental Health Technician
The Centers for Youth and Families
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Completed physical checks and monitored patients with mental and behavioral challenges of children ages 5-18 in residential and school settings to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff
- Provided mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine emotional/psychological support.
Laborer
Allen & Hampton Construction
01.1995 - 01.2000
- Participated in the conceptual development of a construction project by overseeing its organization, scheduling, and implementation
- Determined labor requirements for dispatching workers to construction sites
- Directed and supervised 5-20 workers.
Education
E.dD. - Heritage Leadership
The University of Missouri - St. Louis
St Louis, MO05.2025
Career Diploma - Wildlife and Forestry Conservation
Penn Foster University
Scranton, PA12.2019
Master of Science - Counseling Psychology
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN12.2005
Massage Therapy Diploma - Massage Therapy
Touching America: A Clinic And School of Massage
Little Rock12.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Philander Smith College
Little Rock, AR12.1999
Skills
- Arkansas Master Naturalist
- Arkansas Master Gardener
- Apple Seeds Curriculum
- Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor
- Community Building
- Heritage Leadership & Interpretation
- Multigenerational Family Engagement
- Patience and Empathy
- Project Management
- Student Support
- Organic Practices
- Urban Farming
Certification
- Certified Arkansas Master Gardener
- Certified Arkansas Master Naturalist
- Certified Interpretive Guide
- Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor
- Licensed Apprentice Falconer
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Licensed Psychological Examiner
- Licensed Psychotherapist
NATIONAL SERVICE VOLUNTEER
- Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: Stella Boyle Smith Young Artist Competition Co-Chair
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide
- Martin Luther King Jr. Commission: Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide
- Forest Park Elementary: Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide/Gardener
- Heifer International: Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide/Farmhand
- AmeriCorps, Full Circle FarmCorps
- Oak Forest Community Garden: Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide/Gardener
- Arkansas State Parks: Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide
- Little Rock Audubon Center, Volunteer Certified Interpretive Guide
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Volunteer
ART EXHIBITIONS
ART EXHIBITIONS
- The Layman Public Library, North Little Rock, Arkansas: Porch Life—Revisited, 2021-01-01
- Hall High School, Little Rock, Arkansas, Sankofa: Black Expressions ll, 2017-01-01
- The Layman Public Library, North Little Rock, Arkansas: Porch Life, 2016-01-01
- Hall High School, Little Rock, Arkansas, Sankofa: Black Expressions, 2016-01-01
- The Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock, Arkansas: Fractions of Light, 2014-01-01
- The Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas:Faculty Show, 2013-01-01
- Gallery 26, Little Rock, Arkansas, Shoe Fetish:2012-01-01
- Terry House Mansion Decorative Arts Museum, Little Rock, Arkansas: Historic Arkansas Structures
Awards
AWARDS
- The Herbal Academy Empowerment Scholarship. Bedford, Massachusetts. 2022-01-01
- Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission National Initiative for Community Policing Fellowship. Washington, D.C. 2021-01-01
- Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Non-Violence Economic Empowerment Training Fellowship. Miami, Florida. 2021-01-01
- Knoll Farm Making Refuge Fellowship. Waitsfield, Vermont. 2021- 01-01
- Nature Center and Directors/National Association For Interpretation Scholarship. Palm Springs, California. 2021-01-01
- Outstanding New Interpreter Award, National Association For Interpretation. 2020-01-01
- Knoll Farm Better Selves Fellowship, Waitsfield, Vermont. 2020-01-01
- Professional Grant, National Association For Interpretation. 2019- 01-01
- University of Missouri-St. Louis Micro-Mini Internship/Scholarship, High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon. 2019-01-01
PUBLICATIONS
PUBLICATIONS
- Legacy Magazine: Interpreting the Unseen/Invisible. 2020-05-01
- Legacy Magazine: Interpreting Interpretation—Telling the Story of What We Do (Part Two). 2020-01-01
- Legacy Magazine: Interpreting Music: 2019-11-01
- Legacy Magazine: Interpreting Interpretation—Telling the Story of What We Do (Part One). 2019-07-01
Timeline
Pottery Instructor
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
03.2021 - 07.2022
Interpretive Planner
Mason Bee Interpretive Planning LLC
02.2021 - 02.2022
AmeriCorps Service Member
Full-Circle FarmCorps
05.2020 - 09.2020
Seasonal Certified Interpretive Guide
The High Desert Museum
07.2019 - 08.2019
Licensed Psychological Examiner/Psychotherapist
Therapeutic Family Services
01.2011 - 01.2012
Case Manager
H. L. H. Consultants
01.2009 - 01.2010
Ceramics Department Assistant
The Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts
01.2006 - 01.2018
Darkroom Photography Department Assistant/Instructor
The Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts
01.2006 - 01.2009
Counselor/Lead Teacher/Coordinator
Skyway's Summer Enrichment Program
01.2003 - 01.2005
Licensed Test Proctor
Avon Williams Testing Center
01.2003 - 01.2005
Foreman/Superintendent
M. D. Allen Contracting
01.2001 - 01.2003
Mental Health Technician
The Centers for Youth and Families
01.1999 - 01.2002
Laborer
Allen & Hampton Construction
01.1995 - 01.2000
E.dD. - Heritage Leadership
The University of Missouri - St. Louis
Career Diploma - Wildlife and Forestry Conservation
Penn Foster University
Master of Science - Counseling Psychology
Tennessee State University
Massage Therapy Diploma - Massage Therapy
Touching America: A Clinic And School of Massage
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Philander Smith College
- Certified Arkansas Master Gardener
- Certified Arkansas Master Naturalist
- Certified Interpretive Guide
- Certified Square Foot Gardening Instructor
- Licensed Apprentice Falconer
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Licensed Psychological Examiner
- Licensed Psychotherapist
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