Melissa Henderson
Glendale,AZ
Summary
Experienced art teacher and creative professional with a strong foundation in drama and music, adept at engaging students across all grade levels. Demonstrates expertise in developing innovative curricula that enhance creativity, critical thinking, and performance skills. Proven ability to cultivate inclusive classroom environments that promote collaboration and diverse perspectives, resulting in enhanced artistic expression and academic success. Committed to advancing educational practices through multidisciplinary approaches that inspire students.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Art Teacher/Fine Arts Coordinator
Dream City Christian School
Glendale, AZ
01.2019 - Current
- Authored dynamic lesson plans adhering to state standards, covering essential skills for each grade level.
- Coordinated annual entries for student art in state fairs, earning 25 to 52 ribbons each year.
- Displayed students' work in schools, galleries and exhibitions to acknowledge creative pieces and boost student confidence.
- Managed supply inventory and budget for art materials, ensuring resources were available for all projects.
- Engaged in annual professional growth activities. Including, but not limited to, Spark training from GCU.
- Coordinated with other teachers to integrate art into cross-curricular projects, enriching students' educational experience.
- Assisted in the elementary presentation of skits and themes for assemblies.
- Created the yearbook five years ago (both elementary and high school).
- Designed immersive art camp activities fostering developmental opportunities for students.
- Developed and led theater summer camp programs.
- Conducted culinary arts instruction for high school semester classes.
- Designed and launched a podcast with a TV news style format, providing school announcements during the semester.
- Established and directed an afterschool theater club, resulting in Broadway-style productions such as Annie and Junie B. Jones, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo.
- Created a semester's worth of music curricula for the Christmas production to occur (substitutes taught).
- Encouraged student creativity with motivation, positive feedback and constructive criticism.
- Executed successful Grandparents Day fundraisers for consecutive years.
- Fostered a culture of respect, creativity, and collaboration among students.
Art Teacher
Scottsdale Country Day School
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: private vendor
- Developed and implemented comprehensive art curriculum covering various techniques and historical contexts.
- Developed lesson plans to teach course materials according to schedule.
- Served as in-house substitute for grades Kindergarten to six.
- Served as long-term kindergarten substitute for one year. And I taught art during kindergarten prep and recess.
- Managed supply inventory and budget for art materials, ensuring resources were available for all projects.
- Facilitated in the annual talent show production.
- Provided musical education to students throughout a semester.
Business Owner
Perfectly Periwinkle Paintbrush
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Have taught a weekly art class for several homeschool co-ops/groups with various ages
- Created, advertised, managed, and taught 8-9 summer camps each summer
- Developed a client of 600 families
- Created and managed my website
- As per state requirements I carried business insurance that enabled after-school programs, during-school classes, and summer camp activities in school locations or during school hours
- Provided mobile art studio -I do birthday parties and painting evenings that have become popular
- Have had two teenage employees for summer camp
- Have worked often with children on the spectrum or other developmental disabilities and have enjoyed making art an enjoyable experience for them
Lead Teacher
Abrakadoodle
Phoenix, AZ
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: a franchise that specializes in after-school art programs, summer camps, and mommy-and-me classes as well as classes at schools that do not have an art teacher present
- In addition to teaching classes I had to order and stock all supplies on a limited budget...great skill to learn!
- A franchise that specializes in after-school art programs, summer camps, and mommy-and-me classes as well as classes at schools that do not have an art teacher present
Lead Teacher
Rhythm Kids Inc
Phoenix, AZ
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Company Overview: a company that brought music classes to preschools including storytelling, puppetry, flannel board stories etc
- A company that brought music classes to preschools including storytelling, puppetry, flannel board stories etc
Lead Teacher
North Phoenix Baptist Preschool
Phoenix, AZ
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Created a positive environment in which children can learn
- Facilitating discovery, self-awareness and confidence
Art & Music Teacher
Cornerstone Christian Academy
Sparks, GA
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Pre-K through 8th Grade daily classes, created my own curricula
- Taught children various skills through assorted mediums
- Entered several pieces of children artwork in Cook County Fair, and came home with 1st-honorable mention ribbons
- Weekly Chapel Director: Led Praise & Worship (Accapela or with CDs) and Bible Lesson
- Created sets and backgrounds and directed two productions each year
- Administrative Assistant: School tours, promotional activities, filing, dealt with many types of people, and or parents
Preschool Director & Teacher
Cornerstone Christian Church
Sparks, GA
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Created weekly lesson plans, policies and procedures
- Organized schedules for the teachers and volunteers
Education
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZSkills
- Compelling Content Creator
- Real-Time Flexibility
- Communication
- Classroom management skills
- Group and individual instruction
- Supply management
- Course development
- Effective Trouble shooting
- Event planning
- Curriculum implementation
- Collaborative projects
- Student mentoring
Timeline
Art Teacher/Fine Arts Coordinator
Dream City Christian School
01.2019 - Current
Art Teacher
Scottsdale Country Day School
01.2014 - 01.2019
Business Owner
Perfectly Periwinkle Paintbrush
01.2014 - 01.2019
Lead Teacher
Abrakadoodle
01.2010 - 01.2014
Lead Teacher
Rhythm Kids Inc
01.2009 - 01.2011
Lead Teacher
North Phoenix Baptist Preschool
01.2007 - 01.2009
Art & Music Teacher
Cornerstone Christian Academy
01.2005 - 01.2007
Preschool Director & Teacher
Cornerstone Christian Church
01.2005 - 01.2007
Grand Canyon University
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