Michaela Ridley
Latham
Summary
Dynamic educator with a proven track record at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, specializing in inclusive teaching and curriculum development. As an expert in choreography creation and fostering student engagement, I have successfully enhanced program accessibility, resulting in increased participation. Committed to community outreach and creating supportive learning environments for diverse learners.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Teaching Assistant
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
Saratoga
09.2025 - Current
- Company Overview: School of the Arts, Saratoga, NY
- Assist lead dance instructors in delivering adaptive ballet and movement classes for children and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities at SPAC's School of the Arts, ensuring inclusive participation and personalized modifications for over 50 students per session.
- Collaborate on curriculum development for All-Access Night programs, incorporating sensory-friendly techniques and therapeutic elements to support students with autism and diverse learning needs, resulting in improved engagement and confidence among participants.
- Provide one-on-one support during weekly dance workshops, adapting choreography and exercises to accommodate varying abilities, while fostering a positive, encouraging environment aligned with SPAC's sensory-inclusive certification standards.
- Monitor student progress and communicated with families and caregivers, contributing to program evaluations that enhanced accessibility and led to expanded free educational offerings for underserved communities in Saratoga Springs.
- School of the Arts, Saratoga, NY
Server
Mercatos Italian Bar and Grill
Albany
06.2023 - Current
- Provides a pleasant experience for customers while enjoying a warm Italian meal.
- Handles food, serving, and seating customers with accuracy and efficiency.
- Proficient in secondary sales to increase revenue and profit per table.
Community Advisor
Dean College
Franklin
09.2022 - 01.2025
- Works as a leader for the Dean College residents.
- Completes and organizes programs to help residents.
- Provided a welcoming environment to incoming students.
Dance Instructor
Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center
Franklin
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Helps teach ages 7-18 competition level classes.
- Helped create class plans and run competition dances with given corrections.
Dance Teacher
Art in Motion Dance Academy
Albany
09.2019 - 01.2023
- Teaches to children ages 6 to 9.
- Mentors children on their love for dance, gives encouraging and helpful advice and promotes healthy life choices.
- Choreographs dance routines for yearly recital and selects music/costumes to accompany each dance.
Lead Teacher
Wee Care At Labor
Albany
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Responsible for classroom of children ages 3 months-18 months.
- Supervised and monitor the safety of children.
- Prepared and organize mealtimes and snacks for children.
Sales Floor Associate
HomeGoods
Latham
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Worked as a sale floor assistant to help sell products to customers.
- Knows how to restock and clean.
- Assisted customers with knowledge about products and merchandise.
- Proficient in electronic cashier and inventory system.
- Skilled at dealing with customers with returns and broken items.
- Recipient of customer service recognitions such as employee of the month and multiple customer reviews.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Dance & Studio Management
Dean College
Franklin, Massachusetts05.2025
Skills
- Inclusive teaching
- Curriculum development
- Student engagement
- Choreography creation
- Classroom management
- Program organization
- Performance evaluation
- Community outreach
- Experience traveler
- Valid Passport
References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
09.2025 - Current
Dance Instructor
Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center
01.2024 - 05.2024
Server
Mercatos Italian Bar and Grill
06.2023 - Current
Community Advisor
Dean College
09.2022 - 01.2025
Lead Teacher
Wee Care At Labor
05.2022 - 08.2022
Dance Teacher
Art in Motion Dance Academy
09.2019 - 01.2023
Sales Floor Associate
HomeGoods
06.2019 - 06.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Dance & Studio Management
Dean College