Rebecca Morris
Euclid,Ohio
Summary
As an experienced Teaching Artist/Performer I strive to maintain a level of professionalism. I am confident in helping students excel through individual and small group instruction. Focused on improving student academic performance, test readiness and theater enrichment preparedness. I am knowledgeable about district, state, and federal curriculum requirements, with strong communication and planning skills. As an award winning local artist, I have been featured in print as a local stage actor with IMDB SAG-AFTRA film credit, as well as a corporate and special events soloist and front-man lead singer.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Preschool Teacher
Salvation Army Learning Zone
Cleveland, OH
09.2023 - Current
- Perform the Duties of Lead Teacher in the Preschool Learning Zone for ages 3 years to 5 years.
- Create an environment promoting children's learning, active engagement, exploration and curiosity.
- In collaboration with the Director, develop programming for preschoolers in areas of literacy, physical education, social and emotional development.
- Develop daily activity plans that are aligned with the program's selected curriculum, SUTQ requirements and address the needs of each age group.
- Develop lesson plans in accordance with ODE Early Learning and Development standards, present and communicate these lessons to the students.
- Administer and evaluate pre and post assessments for each child.
- Assist the Director in the development and implementation of family and community programs while encouraging parental, family and community involvement in the Learning Zone.
- Attend required in-service trainings, SUTQ trainings and maintain all records according to SUTQ and ODJFS regulations.
Summer Camp Counselor
Salvation Army Learning Zone
Cleveland, OH
05.2023 - 07.2023
- With the Learning Zone Director, and Assistant Director, oversee daily operations of the summer Camp Program. Ensure the program meets all academic standards and stays true to the mission of the Salvation Army.
- Direct and daily supervision and responsibility for summer camp children.
- Maintain good working relationships with summer camp parents and other staff.
- Plan and implementation of fun, educational, and culturally relevant daily activities. All curriculum and activities to promote self-esteem. Maintaining safe, nonjudgmental and consistent environment.
- Kept accurate records concerning attendance, child progress and other information required for reports and statistical information.
- Conduct academic assessments on assigned students.
- Kept personal files in compliance with regulations established by the State of Ohio.
- Obtained and maintained current CPR, First Aid, Communicable Disease, and Child Abuse training, school age endorsement, and consistent State compliance, upholding all state licensing rules.
Tutor Contracted
Bella M. Jackson - On-line homeschool
Cleveland, Ohio
01.2020 - 03.2022
- As a homeschool tutor for on-line schooling during the scholastic period affected by COVID-19 for student, Bella M
- Lamar, attending Bella Academy School in Cleveland, Ohio
- My duties included monitoring the student's participation during the shut-down of in-class attendance
- I tutored the student while at her home with class assignments, to ensure bellwork, class work and projects were completed in a timely manner
- As well as correct, trouble-shoot internet and intranet issues
- To maintain a classroom schedule while learning at home as this student progressed and was promoted to the next level and grade.
Contracted Production Teacher/Director
Incarnate Word Academy
Parma Hts.
12.2015 - 04.2016
- Incarnate Word Academy 2016 Spring production of 'Legally Blonde Jr., the Musical
- IWA 7th and 8th grade students in the 2016 spring production performance of Legally Blonde Jr., the Musical
- The 21 cast and 8 crew production included fifteen (15) girls and six (6) boys ranging in ages from 13 to 15 years of age
- My duties were to conduct auditions, cast the show, and teach characterization, memorization, blocking, stage presence, projection, choreography, singing and acting
- As Director it was my responsibility to oversee every aspect of the production from start to finish including building a production website to stage managing.
Teacher/instructor
Academy of cinema and television (ACT)
08.2008 - 02.2009
- A six month program designed to prepare students five (5) years to sixteen (16) years of age for on camera acting and staged performances
- The six month program consisted of teaching the fundamentals of auditioning, improvisational acting, confidence building, basic acting techniques and tools to secure commercial, television sitcoms and staged performing jobs.
Troupe member
Karamu House Theater - Theater Outreach Performance Series (T.O.P.S.)
02.2004 - 06.2007
- T.O.P.S
- Is a troupe of touring actors/instructors that perform educational plays and workshops throughout the year to both children and young adults throughout northeastern Ohio.
Drama/Creative Writing Workshop Instructor
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Civic Education Initiatives Program/Bryan Pflaum
Cleveland, Ohio
04.2007 - 05.2007
- In conjunction with the Cleveland Board of Education, I taught 6 classrooms at 3 Cleveland area schools
- Caledonia, Rozelle and Audubon elementary
- Each class was introduced to health careers by a group of doctors, nurses, nutritionist and pathologists of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- My primary responsibility was to direct and teach the students the fundamentals of acting through theater games and exercises
- I used this form of introduction to acting to reinforce listening skills and integrate memorization and interaction between characters as we developed a play
- These health careers were the topics the respective classes used to develop our original play
- Each school performed the plays in a production which was held at the Cleveland Playhouse.
Creative Drama Instructor (Weekend sessions/after school program)
Karamu House Theater
09.2006 - 05.2007
- My primary responsibility was to teach creative drama through dramatic storytelling
- The class was designed to encourage reading and storytelling
- I used creative drama to bring fabulous stories to life on stage
- The students, ranging in ages from 5 years to 14 years old, learned the basics of acting, character expression, voice projection, and teamwork while telling a story based on the books and literature I had the students bring to class
- An in class performance was presented at the end of the semester in the Annie Mae Theater at the Karamu House.
Comprehensive Acting Course Instructor
Karamu House Theater
06.2006 - 08.2006
- My primary responsibility was to teach a comprehensive course in acting to students ranging in age 5 years to 14 years for the theater's educational program
- Students were taught acting and audition techniques, phrasing, elements of production, voice and developing diction, oral interpretation, stage movement, learning criticism and fundamentals of design
- I developed and wrote 2 original plays which were both performed at the end of the session.
Director of Arts Development of Summer Program
J. Chones Company, Inc. Cuyahoga County Public Library/Camp Cuyahoga
06.2007
- The goal of the program was to develop and perform a production using the students, based on the literature provided by the head librarian in conjunction with the library's summer reading program
- My primary responsibility was to teach cultural arts to area youth at the Cuyahoga County Libraries: Warrensville Heights and Maple Heights
- I also supervised instructors for both locations, as well as performed the duties of the production director, stage manager and script editor.
Education
Some College (No Degree) -
Cuyahoga Community College
Cleveland, OHSkills
- Provide a course description/curriculum and lesson plans
- Establish classroom rules based on mutual respect between the students and the instructor(s)
- Reinforce positive behavior such as listening, sharing and encouragement of others
- Write and develop original plays and skits
- Teach/Practice Trust exercises
- Introduce/teach theater terminology (upstage, downstage, right/left stage, etc)
- Teach to increase the awareness of their bodies as their instrument
- Teach performance art through scripts and improvisational exercises
- Teach monologues and audition techniques
- Learning Techniques
- Records Management
- Lesson Planning
- Student Evaluation
Theater
- Sassy Mamas Mary Wooten Tony Sias
- Jazzy Christmas Feature Singer Nicole Sumlin
- Repairing a Nation Anna Davis Margaret Ford-Taylor
- Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill Billie Holiday Caroline Jackson-Smith
- Caroline or Change Moon Karamu/Dobama Cooperation
- Raisin" 'The Musical Ruth Younger Gordan McClure
- Spirit North Leila Massey Tony Sias
- Simply Heavenly Zarita Richard Gant
- Crumbs from the Table of Joy Lily Ann Green Caroline Jackson Smith
- Blues for an Alabama Sky Angel Lorna Hill
- Sophisticated Ladies Featured Artist Gordon McClure
Film Television
- 50 Fathers Gina Madwerkz Studios
- Drag Bottle Dreams Mary Konnie Peroune/Idrome Pictures
- Antwone Fisher Story Aunt Anna Denzel Washington/Fox Searchlight
- Deep Attack Extra Fox Searchlight Pictures
- For Pete's Sake Jennifer Tony Sias/TRI-C Productions
Accomplishments
- Best Musical Performer Female 2 time recipient
- Best Actress Recipient 2 time recipient
- Best Supporting Actress recipient
- Performer of the Year Recipient 2000-2001
- Best Performer Outer Circle Nominee
- Best Musical Group Nominee
- Best Ensemble Recipient
Affiliations
- Design and Create Cardigan sweaters, Ponchos and accessories made to order apparels.
- Play write, director and acting coach
Certification
- Careers Pathways Certificate
- Ohio's Overview of child development
- Step up to Quality PD Certificate
References
References upon request
Timeline
Lead Preschool Teacher
Salvation Army Learning Zone
09.2023 - Current
Summer Camp Counselor
Salvation Army Learning Zone
05.2023 - 07.2023
Tutor Contracted
Bella M. Jackson - On-line homeschool
01.2020 - 03.2022
Contracted Production Teacher/Director
Incarnate Word Academy
12.2015 - 04.2016
Teacher/instructor
Academy of cinema and television (ACT)
08.2008 - 02.2009
Director of Arts Development of Summer Program
J. Chones Company, Inc. Cuyahoga County Public Library/Camp Cuyahoga
06.2007
Drama/Creative Writing Workshop Instructor
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Civic Education Initiatives Program/Bryan Pflaum
04.2007 - 05.2007
Creative Drama Instructor (Weekend sessions/after school program)
Karamu House Theater
09.2006 - 05.2007
Comprehensive Acting Course Instructor
Karamu House Theater
06.2006 - 08.2006
Troupe member
Karamu House Theater - Theater Outreach Performance Series (T.O.P.S.)
02.2004 - 06.2007
Some College (No Degree) -
Cuyahoga Community College
Similar Profiles
LaSHONDA PICKETTLaSHONDA PICKETT
Lead Childhood Educator at SALVATION ARMY: Learning ZoneLead Childhood Educator at SALVATION ARMY: Learning Zone
Janelle Mae DucaJanelle Mae Duca
Teacher's Aide at The Salvation Army Kroc Keiki Learning CenterTeacher's Aide at The Salvation Army Kroc Keiki Learning Center
Rajvir KAURRajvir KAUR
Pre service Early-childhood-teacher at The Salvation Army Early Learning CenterPre service Early-childhood-teacher at The Salvation Army Early Learning Center
Tamira BuckTamira Buck
Client Relationship Consultant at US Bank National AssociationClient Relationship Consultant at US Bank National Association
Jahi GloverJahi Glover
Electrical Maintenence Technician and Installer at J.A.M. AV CreationsElectrical Maintenence Technician and Installer at J.A.M. AV Creations