Kara Elizabeth Koller-Wood
New Braunfels,TX
Summary
Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in Fine Arts and talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head Choir Director
Cibolo Creek Middle School, Judson ISD
San Antonio, TX
01.2025 - Current
- Choir Director for school serving >1000 students
- Fine Arts Department Chair on brand new campus, build a strong team that worked together to benefit the educational experiences of all of our students
- Oversaw expenditures for creating a new music library
- Organizes field trips, performances, community outreach and fundraising events
- Assisted in the school’s first musical in conjunction with the theater department
- Works to create new opportunities for the fine arts department to work together promoting programs and students
- Serves on the Sunshine Committee
- Represents teachers when meeting with the Superintendent as the AFT Union Building Representative
Head Choir Director
Kitty Hawk Middle School, Judson ISD
Universal City, TX
01.2020 - 01.2025
- Choir Director for school serving >1300 students
- Created and implemented online choir course for remote instruction using Canvas
- Served as clinician for Austin ISD Choral Events
- Built up a small program that was decimated by COVID years
- Choirs consistently earned sweepstakes and first division in UIL Concert & Sight Reading
- American Classic Festival 2022: Division 1 /Outstanding Performance /Best in Class /Best in Festival
- Organize field trips, performances, community outreach
- Assisted in the school’s first musical in several years in conjunction with the theater department
- Works to create new opportunities for the fine arts department to work together promoting programs and students
- Serves on the Climate & Culture Committee
- Represents teachers when meeting with the Superintendent as the AFT Union Building Representative
Head Choir Director
Wunderlich Intermediate School, Klein ISD
Houston, TX
01.2013 - 01.2020
- Choir director for Title I school serving 1,600 students, grades 6-8
- Expanded very small program (150 members) award-winning successful program
- Nominated for Teacher of the Year 2017-18 & 2018-19
- Participate in district and region contests showing growth every year
- Serve as judge and clinician for various choirs both in and out of the district due to position at campus
- Lead the WIS Treble Choir to being named Commended Winner, National Choral Honors by the Foundation for Music Education 2017
- Organized field trips, performances, fundraising, and community outreach
- Provide student support by monitoring grades outside of the music classroom and enable peer tutoring
- Founded and serve on the “Presence Project” committee which has increased attendance and parent outreach on the campus
Head Choir Director
Stovall Middle School, Aldine ISD
Houston, TX
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Choir Director for an urban middle school serving 1,100 students, grades 7-8
- Won the campus’ first UIL Division I trophy in 20 years with a choir previously banned from competition
- Campus Teacher of the Year 2011-2012
- Organized field trips, performances, fundraising
- Encouraged community outreach by performing off campus in the community
- Participated in community contests as well as UIL contests, with strong results
- Actively promoted student achievement and attendance by monitoring student grades outside of the choir classroom and provided time after school to provide homework help and peer tutoring
- Judged vocal competitions both in the district as well as for non-profit organizations
Elementary Music Teacher
Charles Borchers Elementary School, United ISD
Laredo, TX
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Music Teacher for 1,100 students serving grades K-5 + early childhood development
- Designed, developed and implemented a fine arts program while maintaining daily classroom instruction which eventually became the model program district-wide
- Organized, directed and choreographed a full-scale musical production consisting of over 100 students of mixed grades every year
- Researched, planned, and executed fundraising for the purchase of classroom instruments and additional teaching materials
- Member of the UISD Honors Choir Selection Committee: Selected music, singers and conducted a 300-member choir as arranged rehearsals, transportation of students, and instruction of campus music teachers
- Created student-based instruction for the regular music classroom without the use of textbooks, using hands-on teaching, utilizing many different instruments, drawing off ancillary supplies while ensuring that the student-oriented lessons covered the standards required by the state of Texas
- Served on district music textbook selection committee, researching the best program, and was instrumental in the selection of the current program used district wide
- Electives Team Leader and teacher liaison for the Parent-Teacher Committee: Created schedules for my team’s role in school fundraising, represented my team in the school’s planning meetings, kept my team aware of all new procedures, policies and events occurring school and district wide.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
Rice University
Houston, TXSkills
- Rehearsal planning
- Fundraising
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Collaborative skills
- Excellent communication
- Organizational skills
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 7 fine arts staff members.
- Collaborated with the Fine Arts team in the development of Educational Trips and Fundraisers.
- Teacher of the Year
Affiliations
- Rice University, Bachelor of Music 1989
- Fine Arts Commissioner for the City Of New Braunfels 2024- present
- State Certification for Education Music K-12 2003-present
- Member TCDA and TMEA 2003-present
- The Foundation for Music Education Commended Winner National Choral Honors, Director 2017
- Houston Choral Society Soprano Section Director 2006-2013
- Stovall Middle School Teacher of the Year 2012
- Musical Director for both children & adult shows at the Houston Family Arts Center 2012
Certification
- Texas Teacher Certificate 2004- 2028
Timeline
Head Choir Director
Cibolo Creek Middle School, Judson ISD
01.2025 - Current
Head Choir Director
Kitty Hawk Middle School, Judson ISD
01.2020 - 01.2025
Head Choir Director
Wunderlich Intermediate School, Klein ISD
01.2013 - 01.2020
Head Choir Director
Stovall Middle School, Aldine ISD
01.2007 - 01.2013
Elementary Music Teacher
Charles Borchers Elementary School, United ISD
01.2003 - 01.2005
Bachelor of Science -
Rice University