Karina Rodriguez
Converse
Summary
Dedicated Art Educator with a passion for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and social awareness in students. Adept at integrating progressive and reconstructionist educational philosophies to create inclusive classroom environment where students explore cultural, social and environmental themes through artistic expression. Focused on empowering students to voice their perspectives and engage with diverse ideas through the creative process. Committed to promoting student-centered learning, collaboration, and growth in an art education setting. Innovative Fine Arts Teacher with experience in crafting creative curriculum that fosters student growth and appreciation for the arts. Strengths include adaptability, patience, ability to inspire creativity, leadership skills, and mastery of various art mediums. Previous roles highlight impact in improving student engagement and fostering an inclusive learning environment where diversity of thoughts is celebrated.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fine Arts Teacher K-5
Elolf STEAM Academy
06.2023 - Current
- Designed and implemented comprehensive, student-centered art curricula for K-5 students, leveraging collaborative planning with mentor teacher to ensure alignment with developmental needs and educational standards.
- Cultivated a dynamic learning environment that encouraged artistic exploration, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, allowing students to engage with diverse perspectives through creative expression.
- Promoted social-emotional learning (SEL) through art, encouraging students to explore and express their emotions, identity, and experiences, while fostering empathy, resilience, and mindfulness through the creative process.
- Employed innovative instructional strategies, including differentiated learning techniques and interactive art projects, to enhance student engagement, comprehension, and artistic skill development.
- Led and cultivated a vibrant art club with over 30 student members, providing a platform for students to further explore their artistic passions and build a sense of community through collaborative projects.
- Fostered an inclusive classroom atmosphere where students felt empowered to express their personal and collective identities.
- Spearheaded the design and execution of the school's yearbook, overseeing the creative direction, layout, and content development, ensuring the final product reflected the unique spirit and achievements of the student body.
- Contributed to the refinement and continuous improvement of the curriculum by actively participating in collaborative discussions with faculty, ensuring that instructional practices were rooted in best practices and educational research.
Content & Social Media Manager
Drybar
San Antonio
12.2022 - Current
- Developed engaging social media content for beauty and lifestyle audiences.
- Managed editorial calendar to ensure consistent brand messaging across platforms.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to execute promotional campaigns and initiatives.
- Analyzed social media performance metrics to refine content strategies.
- Created visual assets and graphics to enhance social media presence.
- Engaged with followers to build community and respond to inquiries promptly.
- Coordinated influencer partnerships to expand brand reach and visibility.
- Trained team members on best practices for social media management and engagement.
- Worked closely with design teams to ensure compliance with brand guidelines when creating visuals for social media posts.
- Created and managed editorial calendars for all social media accounts, ensuring timely posting of content across channels.
- Assisted in identifying potential partnerships or collaborations that could benefit the brand's presence online.
Clinical Teacher
Huppertz & Woodlawn Hills Elementary
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Designed and implemented comprehensive, student-centered art curricula for diverse classrooms, ensuring age-appropriate lessons that encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and personal expression through various artistic media and techniques.
- Provided individualized and small-group instruction to support students' unique learning needs, utilizing differentiated strategies to ensure equitable access to artistic learning and growth across all skill levels.
- Collaborated with mentor teachers and faculty to integrate interdisciplinary learning by incorporating themes from history, culture, and social issues into art lessons, fostering a holistic approach to education that emphasized artistic exploration and academic connection.
- Incorporated technology and digital art tools into art instruction, utilizing software and online resources to expand students' creative possibilities and prepare them for contemporary artistic practices in a digital age.
Observation Intern
Young Women's Leadership Academy
08.2021 - 12.2022
- Observed and analyzed the pedagogical techniques employed in a 7th-grade science classroom, gaining insight into effective teaching practices, classroom management, and student engagement strategies.
- Assisted in the preparation of instructional materials and classroom organization, ensuring a conducive learning environment for both students and instructors.
- Demonstrated a proactive approach to supporting classroom needs, collaborating with the teaching team to implement safety protocols and promote student focus and productivity.
- Established professional rapport with faculty and staff, contributing to a positive school culture through effective communication and teamwork.
Art Instructor
McCollum High School
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Delivered three dynamic and culturally relevant art lessons to 9th-11th grade students, cultivating an engaging classroom atmosphere that emphasized personal creativity and artistic integrity.
- Utilized formative assessments to monitor students understanding, providing individualized support to bridge learning gaps.
- Fostered an inclusive environment for students to explore personal and societal topics through artistic creation and critique.
- Collaborated with supervisory teacher and fellow colleagues to promote classroom safety, best practices and student engagement.
- Participated in ongoing professional development, adapting new techniques and strategies to enhance student learning.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Art Education EC-12
The University of Texas at San Antonio
12.2022
Skills
- Curriculum design
- Classroom management
- Art instruction
- Technology integration
- Differentiated learning
- Social media strategy
- Content creation
- Brand messaging
- Community engagement
- Team collaboration
- Creative problem solving
- Cultural awareness
- Project-based learning
Certification
Standard Texas Certificate Program, APPROVED
Professional Development Trainings
Dyslexia, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Bullying Prevention, 04/24 - 04/25
Exams
- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12, PASSED
- ART #178: Art EC-12, PASSED
Accomplishments
UTSA Dean's List 2020-2022
Affiliations
President- UTSA Green Society 2018-2019
Timeline
Fine Arts Teacher K-5
Elolf STEAM Academy
06.2023 - Current
Content & Social Media Manager
Drybar
12.2022 - Current
Clinical Teacher
Huppertz & Woodlawn Hills Elementary
08.2022 - 05.2023
Art Instructor
McCollum High School
01.2022 - 05.2022
Observation Intern
Young Women's Leadership Academy
08.2021 - 12.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Art Education EC-12
The University of Texas at San Antonio