Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Laura Willett

Chattanooga,USA

Summary

Dynamic educator with extensive experience in individualized instruction and art education, skilled in enhancing student engagement through innovative and tailored programs. Proven track record of effective collaboration across disciplines, designing educational experiences that inspire creativity and promote academic growth. Eager to leverage expertise in exhibit design and educational programming to drive impactful initiatives as a Director of Arts. Committed to fostering an inclusive environment that nurtures artistic expression and empowers learners to reach their full potential.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Exceptional Education Assistant

Westview Elementary School
01.2025 - Current
  • Facilitated individualized support for students with diverse learning needs, enhancing engagement and academic performance through tailored instructional strategies.
  • Collaborated with teachers to develop and implement lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards, promoting a cohesive educational experience across subjects.
  • Administered assessments and monitored student progress, utilizing data to inform instructional adjustments and support interventions for at-risk learners.
  • Taught art lessons that were both challenging and rewarding for different styles of learning.
  • Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
  • Supported teachers in maintaining a safe learning environment by monitoring student behavior during class transitions and extracurricular activities.
  • Supervised students in common areas such as cafeteria, library, and playground.

Art Teacher Grades 6-12

Baylor School
08.1999 - 05.2021
  • Created positive educational climate to promote student learning.
  • Encouraged student creativity with positive feedback and constructive criticism.
  • Managed student behavior in classroom with appropriate classroom management strategies.
  • Budgeted for supplies, planned, prepared, and delivered instructional activities related to various art mediums and techniques.
  • Designed lesson plans and modified according to student progress.
  • Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary lesson plans.
  • Sponsored the Periaktoi, the school's online arts and literary magazine.
  • Curated Baylor's permanent collection of student artwork and designed campus wide exhibitions.
  • Worked with senior girls to foster an accepting and safe atmosphere for younger girls by hosting a Girls' Night that focuses on creating healthy relationships and positive body image.
  • Designed a class called Art from the Streets in which students explore social issues such as equality for women, racism, poverty, world hunger, eating disorders, etc.
  • Served as Ninth Grade class sponsor hosting class social events, community service projects, and planning and implementing events for spirit week.
  • Led Baylor students to teach art lesson to underprivileged children in community centers everyday after school in my Art After School Program.
  • Organized and led students in intensive month-long painting workshops to Italy and the American West.
  • Taught dozens of weekend workshops, camps, and after school classes for students who did not have the opportunity to take art during the school day.
  • Served on academic and administrative committees that dealt with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
  • Planned and presented art displays and exhibitions to showcase student work for school and community in the student gallery.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational skills in managing classroom supplies and equipment.
  • Established guidelines for maintaining a safe and organized studio environment, ensuring compliance with health standards while fostering creativity among students in all activities.
  • Integrated cross-curricular themes into art projects, collaborating with other educators to create interdisciplinary learning opportunities that reinforced academic concepts through visual arts.
  • Organized student exhibitions and community outreach programs, showcasing student artwork while promoting the importance of arts education within the school community.
  • Hosted countless internationally known artists to lecture, present their work, and teach both Baylor students and people from the community.

Co-Founder

Southeast Arts
06.1999 - 07.2003
  • Curated diverse art collections by collaborating with local artists and contractors, fostering community engagement and support.
  • Managed own accounts and projects, worked within budget, and scheduling requirements.
  • Provided affordable studio space as well as opportunities for emerging artists by exhibiting group shows.
  • Held fundraising events

Art Teacher for Students With Special Needs

Scenic Land School
08.1996 - 05.1998
  • Created lesson plans that emphasized highly personal concepts.
  • Planned and implemented lessons that improved eye-hand coordination.
  • Introduced a variety of media and technical skills in ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media.
  • Implemented a diversified curriculum to help students achieve their goals at their own pace.
  • Managed class behavior to create the most conducive workspace for all students.
  • Held fundraisers to raise funds for art supplies.
  • Took inventory of the art room supplies, equipment and resources to maintain consistent supply for projects.

Educational Coordinator

The Hunter Museum of American Art
01.1996 - 08.1997
  • Planned, executed and updated educational programs and special events.
  • Taught fun, engaging classes for children ages 2 to 18.
  • Hired local and regional artists to teach workshops and camps.
  • Gave tours to school groups and the public at large.
  • Took inventory and ordered supplies for each class, workshop, or camp.
  • Developed and implemented educational programs that enhanced visitor engagement and aligned with strategic objectives.
  • Collaborated with curatorial staff to design interactive exhibits, integrating educational content with artistic themes.
  • Managed outreach initiatives that increased community participation and fostered partnerships with local schools and organizations.

Art Specialist

Creative Discovery Museum
03.1995 - 05.1997
  • Collaborated with a team of art educators to create exciting lessons that incorporated both art history and the Principles of Design.
  • Differentiated lessons to accommodate all ages and levels of experiences.
  • Tracked attendance and supervised volunteers and greeted guests at all museum events.
  • Developed and implemented educational art programs that enhanced creative expression among diverse groups of children and families.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to design engaging exhibits that promoted interactive learning and artistic appreciation.
  • Trained and mentored junior art staff, fostering skill development in various artistic techniques and program delivery methods.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Painting and Drawing

University of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
05.1996

18th Century French Drawing And Painting Technique

Florence Academy of Art
Florence, Italy
06-2005

Workshops And Ongoing Instructors

Skills

  • Exhibit planning
  • Educational programming
  • Interdepartmental Collaboration
  • Strong organizational abilities
  • Art history
  • Inclusive curriculum development
  • Effective problem solving in high-pressure situations
  • Expertise in age-appropriate art activities

Affiliations

  • Southeast Arts
  • Cress Gallery, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA
  • The Lowe Gallery, Atlanta
  • Northshore Fine Arts, Chattanooga
  • The Urban Art Institute, Chattanooga
  • Frequency Arts, Chattanooga
  • The Association of Visual Artists, Chattanooga
  • Wunderlinger Gallery, Chattanooga
  • Chattanoooga City Hall
  • Hunter Museum of American Art

Timeline

Exceptional Education Assistant

Westview Elementary School
01.2025 - Current

Art Teacher Grades 6-12

Baylor School
08.1999 - 05.2021

Co-Founder

Southeast Arts
06.1999 - 07.2003

Art Teacher for Students With Special Needs

Scenic Land School
08.1996 - 05.1998

Educational Coordinator

The Hunter Museum of American Art
01.1996 - 08.1997

Art Specialist

Creative Discovery Museum
03.1995 - 05.1997

Bachelor of Arts - Painting and Drawing

University of Tennessee At Chattanooga

18th Century French Drawing And Painting Technique

Florence Academy of Art

Workshops And Ongoing Instructors

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE