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Rhie Baker-Cruz
Therapist / Teacher
Glenview,IL
Summary
Licensed Art Therapist and Art Instructor, with years of experience providing both therapeutic and academic art sessions for diverse populations, including children, adults, and seniors dealing with or without mental health issues. Skilled in designing and implementing tailored art therapy and art curriculum programs to promote emotional, cognitive, and social well-being, as well as mastering the technical use of various materials for traditional art courses. Demonstrated ability to foster safe, academic, creative environments that encourage self-expression and healing when necessary. Contributed to significant improvements in clients' mental health by integrating various art mediums into therapy practices.
Overview
3
3
Certifications
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
After school Art Facilitator / Art Therapist
Crows Island School
Winnetka, Illinois
09.2024 - Current
- Facilitated art workshops for students, fostering creativity and self-expression.
- Developed lesson plans aligned with educational standards and student interests.
- Provided guidance on art techniques, encouraging skill development among students.
- Managed classroom supplies and resources to ensure a productive environment.
- Encouraged positive interactions among students to build teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Documented student progress throughout the program using photographs or videos.
- Encouraged students to explore new techniques while helping them build confidence in their artistic abilities.
- Assisted students in understanding the elements of design including color theory, line quality, texture and form.
- Designed lesson plans that incorporated various media such as painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking, photography and digital art.
After school Art Facilitator / Art Therapist
Madison, Edison Elementary & Lincoln Jr. High
Skokie, Illinois
10.2022 - Current
- Facilitated after school art programs through Open Studio Project (OSP).
- Art activities provided include painting, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture, creative writing, book making and ceramics.
- Art directives provided with emphasis on matching cultural sensitivity, age, functioning level, interests and are seasonally appropriate.
Summer Camp Art Instructor / Art Therapist
District 69
Chicago and Skokie , IL
06.2022 - Current
- Developed engaging art lesson plans for diverse student groups.
- Facilitated hands-on art projects to enhance creativity and self-expression.
- Assessed student progress and provided constructive feedback on artwork.
- Managed classroom supplies and materials to ensure a productive learning environment.
- Mentored aspiring art teachers through workshops and instructional support.
- Promoted positive classroom behavior through modeling, effective communication and conflict resolution strategies.
- Assessed and evaluated student work, providing feedback and guidance to help them improve their skills.
- Organized classroom supplies and materials for easy access during lessons.
- Created a positive learning environment by providing individualized instruction to meet the needs of each student.
- Motivated students to reach their highest potential by setting achievable goals.
- Served as advisor for extracurricular activities such as art clubs and camps.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance, grades, and other pertinent information for each student.
After school Art Co-Facilitator / Art Therapist
North Shore Country Day School
Winnetka, USA
09.2016 - 01.2019
- Co-facilitated after-school art program through Open Studio Project (OSP).
- Art activities provided include painting, drawing, mixed-media, sculpture, creative writing, book making and ceramics.
- Art directives provided with emphasis on cultural sensitivity, age, functioning level, interests and are seasonally appropriate.
After school Art Therapist / E.S.L. Instructor
Burroughs Elementary School
Chicago, USA
09.2010 - 06.2011
- Provided after-school art / art therapy with emphasis on cultural sensitivity, painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture and creative writing.
- E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) instructor for impoverished adults.
- Provided lectures / in-class assignments regarding the basic principles of the English language to non-native English speakers.
- Lectures included diction, pronunciation, spelling, grammar, punctuation and parts of speech.
- Art directives and E.S.L. lectures, provided with emphasis on cultural sensitivity, age, functioning level, interests and are seasonally appropriate.
Art Therapy / Summer Art-Camp intern
Brickton Art Center
Park Ridge, USA
05.2010 - 08.2010
- Responsible for facilitating and co-facilitating multiple groups from K-High School students.
- Facilitated / Co-facilitated summer Art therapy program for adults with cancer through Lutheran General Hospital.
- Created and facilitated summer Art therapy activities for children with Autism through 'Have Dreams; Center for Autism.'
- Facilitated / Co-facilitated summer Art therapy / art camp for 'At-risk' youth groups.
- Art directives provided with emphasis on cultural sensitivity, age, functioning level, interests and are seasonally appropriate.
Art Therapy Intern
Community Counseling Center of Chicago
Chicago, USA
01.2009 - 05.2010
- Art therapy intern providing two individual counseling sessions twice a week for adults with severe and chronic mental illness.
- Facilitator of four Art therapy groups twice a week; Mixed media and Ceramics.
- Proficient in medical notes documentation for individual and group sessions.
- Art directives provided with emphasis on cultural sensitivity, age, functioning level, interests and are seasonally appropriate.
Education
Graduate Degree, Art Therapy / Bachelor Of Fine Arts -
The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Chicago, IL01.2010
Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences - Honors Psychology (Major) / Philosophy (Minor)
DePaul University
Chicago, IL11.2006
Certified - English As A Second Language Instructor
Oxford Seminar
Evanston, IL01.2011
Skills
- Painting
- Drawing
- Ceramics
- Art Therapy
- Horticultural Therapy
- Special Education
- Multimedia practices
- Lesson planning
- Progress documentation
- Classroom management
- Student assessment
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Functioning Level Assessment
- Conflict resolution
- Mentoring
- Supply management
Certification
Licensed Art Therapist : MAAT-ATR ( 2010 )
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
After school Art Facilitator / Art Therapist
Crows Island School
09.2024 - Current
After school Art Facilitator / Art Therapist
Madison, Edison Elementary & Lincoln Jr. High
10.2022 - Current
Summer Camp Art Instructor / Art Therapist
District 69
06.2022 - Current
After school Art Co-Facilitator / Art Therapist
North Shore Country Day School
09.2016 - 01.2019
After school Art Therapist / E.S.L. Instructor
Burroughs Elementary School
09.2010 - 06.2011
Art Therapy / Summer Art-Camp intern
Brickton Art Center
05.2010 - 08.2010
Art Therapy Intern
Community Counseling Center of Chicago
01.2009 - 05.2010
Graduate Degree, Art Therapy / Bachelor Of Fine Arts -
The School of The Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Sciences - Honors Psychology (Major) / Philosophy (Minor)
DePaul University
Certified - English As A Second Language Instructor
Oxford Seminar