NATALIE BEGLEY
Crawfordville
Summary
Dynamic art educator and practicing artist with over a decade of experience teaching K-12 students and coordinating district-wide arts programs. Committed to engaging learners through diverse media, hands-on instruction, and an inclusive, student-centered curriculum that fosters creativity and critical thinking. Recognized as a leader in arts advocacy and program coordination, with a proven track record in community fundraising initiatives. Strong belief in the transformative power of art education to cultivate empathy and inspire the next generation of creative thinkers.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Art Teacher
Riversink & Shadeville Elementary Schools
12.2016 - Current
- Teach visual art to over 1,000 elementary students annually across two school campuses.
- Collaborate with music educators and administrators to coordinate schedules and interdisciplinary learning.
- Design and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons in watercolor, drawing, perspective, ceramics, collage, and mixed media.
- Foster creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills through hands-on instruction.
- Designed and delivered engaging educational experiences utilizing lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Developed and implemented curriculum for six classes each day, serving students in grades K-5.
- Facilitated individualized and small group instruction to enhance understanding of challenging concepts.
- Cultivated positive relationships with students, fellow educators, and school administrators across both institutions.
- Managed daily afterschool pick-up responsibilities to facilitate smooth transitions for students.
- Tailored instructional strategies to align with diverse student abilities and skill levels.
Art Teacher
Cobb Middle School
12.2013 - 12.2017
- Taught Art 1, Art 2, Art 3, and Advanced Art to diverse student populations.
- Instructed six class periods daily, differentiating instruction to meet varied skill levels.
- Awarded a COCA grant to acquire screen-printing materials for the Advanced Art program.
- Introduced students to ceramics, slip casting, collage, still life, painting, drawing, and papier-mâché.
Arts Coordinator
Wakulla County Schools
12.2019 - Current
- Coordinate district-wide meetings and professional development for K–12 Art, Music, Band, and Theatre educators.
- Support curriculum alignment, collaboration, and instructional best practices across arts disciplines.
- Serve as a liaison between district leadership and arts educators to strengthen arts programming.
Treasurer
Wakulla Arts Coalition
12.2019 - Current
- Play a key leadership role in the annual Arts Celebration, raising funds to support high school students pursuing arts degrees.
- Coordinate event logistics and oversee financial planning and budgeting.
- Manage scholarship disbursements and IRS documentation for nonprofit compliance.
- Support WCAC’s mission as a nonprofit organization dedicated to arts and music education.
- Facilitated fundraising initiatives to support two students per year with $1,000 scholarships.
Clay Makers Club Instructor
Wakulla County 4-H
12.2024 - Current
- Volunteer instructor for evening ceramic hand-building classes serving students in both elementary and middle schools.
- Collaborate with high school volunteers to support instruction and classroom management.
- Guide students through hand-building techniques, glazing, and kiln-firing processes, resulting in completed ceramic works.
Arts and Crafts Specialist
Lafayette Parks and Recreation
Tallahassee, FL
05.2014 - 07.2018
- Designed and executed art projects for summer, winter, and spring break camps.
- Delivered engaging lessons to 14 groups of elementary and middle school students to enhance learning outcomes.
- Facilitated daily instruction for seven student groups four days each week.
- Tailored instructional strategies to align with diverse student ability levels.
Art Instructor
Lafayette Park Arts and Crafts Center
Tallahasee, FL
08.2014 - 07.2015
- Designed and delivered engaging lessons for adult education classes.
- Oversaw the execution of two separate 8-week comprehensive drawing classes, facilitating skill development among participants. Cultivated a creative atmosphere that encouraged artistic expression and peer collaboration. Mentored students to refine their drawing abilities and achieve personal artistic goals.
- Instructed an 8-week watercolor class, focusing on foundational techniques and individual artistic development.
Art Intern
Gilchrist Elementary
12.2012 - 12.2013
- Completed an elementary art education internship under the mentorship of Ms. Julie McBride.
- Assisted with lesson planning, classroom instruction, and student engagement.
- Designed and implemented lesson plans for six classes daily, serving students in grades K-5 over an eight-week period.
- Tailored instructional strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs of special needs students.
Art Intern
Florida State University Schools
Tallahassee, FL
08.2013 - 10.2013
- Collaborated with mentoring teacher Ms. Pamela Wallheiser to enhance instructional strategies.
- Implemented effective classroom management strategies while assisting with instructional assessments in the art room.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans for five classes each day, engaging students in grades 6-8 over an eight-week period.
- Implemented adaptive classroom management practices to ensure effective learning environments for varying class sizes of 16 to 41 students.
- Designed and executed seven comprehensive lesson plans, incorporating original rubrics and writing activities.
Education
Master of Science - Art Education
Florida State University
01.2014
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Florida State University
01.2012
Skills
- Curriculum development & lesson planning
- Art instruction techniques (K–12)
- Classroom & behavior management
- Program coordination
- Student engagement & assessment
- Technology integration in art education
- Fundraising & nonprofit support
- Differentiated instruction
- Experience across a wide range of art media
- Expertise in subject matter
Certification
- Florida Art Education Certification (K–12)
- Reading Endorsement
Timeline
Clay Makers Club Instructor
Wakulla County 4-H
12.2024 - Current
Arts Coordinator
Wakulla County Schools
12.2019 - Current
Treasurer
Wakulla Arts Coalition
12.2019 - Current
Art Teacher
Riversink & Shadeville Elementary Schools
12.2016 - Current
Art Instructor
Lafayette Park Arts and Crafts Center
08.2014 - 07.2015
Arts and Crafts Specialist
Lafayette Parks and Recreation
05.2014 - 07.2018
Art Teacher
Cobb Middle School
12.2013 - 12.2017
Art Intern
Florida State University Schools
08.2013 - 10.2013
Art Intern
Gilchrist Elementary
12.2012 - 12.2013
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Florida State University
Master of Science - Art Education
Florida State University
AWARDS & HONORS
Teacher of the Year, Riversink Elementary School — 2023–2024