Shelley Virginia Hewitt
Summary
Strengths based, student centered educator and facilitator with strong background in developing and implementing engaging curriculum. Adept at fostering an inclusive, safe and collaborative learning environment that encourages student growth and achievement. Skilled in classroom management, lesson planning, and adapting to diverse educational needs. Known for reliability and flexibility, ensuring smooth and effective teaching operations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
TEACHER
Schoenbar Middle School
Ketchikan, AK
08.2022 - Current
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by creating a safe learning environment, developing strong relationships, establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
- Differentiated instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring each student had an equal opportunity for success.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive and constructivist teaching methods, such as group projects, authentic experiences and hands-on activities.
- Organized extracurricular activities such as clubs, guest speakers or field trips that enriched students' learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.
- Advocated for inclusion of mental health education in curriculum, supporting student well-being.
Teaching Artist
Alaska Arts Education Consortium
Kenai, AK
06.2022 - Current
- Led workshops for educators in integrating arts into the classroom.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop interdisciplinary lessons, promoting cross-curricular learning.
- Inspired teachers and assisted in developing creativity and self-expression through various art forms and media.
BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONIST / COMMUNITY LIAISON
Community Connections, Children's Mental Health
08.2021 - Current
- Formed, structured, organized, and facilitated trauma informed small group interventions aimed at promoting social, emotional and behavioral health.
- Delivered and trained others in delivering high quality behavioral health intervention services.
- Mentored and trained staff in curriculum creation and facilitation.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive behavior support plans, resulting in improved student functioning.
- Empowered families through ongoing communication and tailored guidance on effective behavioral interventions at home.
- Served as a resource for school personnel in addressing behavioral challenges, contributing to a supportive and collaborative educational community.
- Facilitated group sessions aimed at developing essential life skills such as conflict resolution, stress management, and self-advocacy.
INSTRUCTOR
First City Players Theatre Arts School
07.2023 - 07.2023
- Taught / coached 11-16 year olds in dramaturgy, acting, voice and movement, as related to Disney's 'Newsies Jr.' stage production
- Increased student motivation by developing engaging lesson plans that catered to various learning styles.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
INSTRUCTOR, Adjunct Faculty
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
01.2016 - 12.2019
- Developed and taught curriculum for semester-long courses Fundamentals of Acting and Movement for the Actor.
- Mentored students in and outside of the classroom in academic and professional pursuits.
- Provided movement and vocal direction for university productions.
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
- Boosted student performance by providing individualized support and targeted feedback.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
INSTRUCTOR
Providence Adolescent Residential Treatment Program
01.2018 - 11.2019
- Collaborated with therapists to design curriculum that met therapeutic goals for female residents age 13-18.
- Initiated new learning methods, eliminating instructional gaps and improving comprehension.
- Promoted classroom safety, collaboration, and best practices.
- Enhanced classroom collaboration through the implementation of group projects and team-building activities.
- Engaged parents and guardians in educational process through regular communication and monthly meetings.
INSTRUCTOR, Connect and Create: a devising workshop
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
03.2018 - 08.2019
- Designed and taught an 8 week course open to the community on theatrical devising techniques.
- Initiated new learning methods, eliminating instructional gaps and improving comprehension.
- Fostered positive learning environment, encouraging students to express their ideas and questions freely.
INSTRUCTOR
First Alaskans Leadership Internship Training
06.2019 - 06.2019
- Created and led master class in public speaking.
- Optimized learning plans based on student performance and feedback.
INSTRUCTOR, Aerial for Actors
Perseverance Theatre
10.2016 - 10.2016
- Design and teach workshop introducing basic trapeze/lyra vocabulary
TEACHING ARTIST, ESL through Theatre Arts
Gero City School District (Japan)
Kanayama, Japan
08.2014 - 04.2015
- Designed and taught curriculum integrating ESL and theatre arts to pre-K through grade 9.
- Enhanced student comprehension by incorporating visual aids and hands-on activities in lesson plans.
- Implemented innovative teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles, resulting in increased engagement and understanding.
- Established rapport with students by maintaining open lines of communication and demonstrating genuine interest in their progress.
SUPPORT SPECIALIST / SERVICE COORDINATOR
Community Connections, Children's Mental Health
05.2011 - 12.2014
- Directly supported adolescents to achieve therapeutic goals in school and community settings.
- Managed team of staff and facilitated wrap around services for families in need.
- Maintained detailed documentation of support interactions, ensuring valuable insights are preserved for future reference and analysis.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to assess client needs and develop appropriate interventions.
- Utilized variety of methods, skills and tools to provide direct behavior support to students on caseload.
- Facilitated communication between parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure consistency in behavior expectations across settings.
GUEST LECTURER, Linklater Voice and Neutral Mask
University of Puget Sound
01.2014 - 05.2014
- Designed and co-taught semester-long class to college theatre students.
TEACHING ARTIST, Ashland School Fund Impact Grant
John Muir Elementary
04.2013 - 04.2013
- Designed and delivered two week long drama curriculum for K through grade 8 students.
INSTRUCTOR, Creative Movement
PHAME Academy of Performing Arts
01.2013 - 04.2013
- Design and teach weekly movement class to adults with developmental disabilities
TEACHING ARTIST, Turn Around Arts Initiative
Martin Luther King Elementary
09.2012 - 11.2012
- Design and teach curriculum exploring Shakespeare's text through voice and movement for 1st though 8th grade students
TEACHING ARTIST, Shakespeare in Performance
Fawn Mountain Elementary
04.2011 - 05.2011
- Design and teach curriculum exploring Shakespeare's Text to 7th grade students
WORKSHOP LEADER, Techniques for Ensemble-Generated Theatre
Seattle
08.2010 - 08.2010
- Design and teach a one-day professional development workshop for adults
PROJECT COORDINATOR / PRODUCTION ASST.
Broadstreet Communications
NYC
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Collaborated with event producers to plan, organize and execute corporate upfront events
- Client list included: ESPN, HGTV and FOOD NETWORK
- Kept projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular meetings, fostering a positive work environment for increased productivity.
- Liaised between departments to facilitate communication and keep appropriate parties updated on project developments.
- Prepared meeting agendas and minutes for distribution and record keeping.
- Played an active role in brainstorming sessions held for the purpose of generating innovative ideas/solutions which could potentially be incorporated into existing/new projects being undertaken by the company.
Education
Masters of Arts - Teaching, Secondary Education
University of Alaska Southeast
12.2024
MFA - Theatre
Columbia University
05.2011
BS - Journalism (Honors), Film
Georgia State University
05.2000
Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
Attachment And Trauma Network
Trauma 101 & Trauma Informed Care
Co-Occurring Disorders Institute
Integrating Mindfulness into Education
Mindful Schools
Online Improv for All Students
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Skills
- Classroom management
- Relationship building
- Critical thinking
- Social-emotional learning training
- Student engagement
- Lesson planning
- Strength-based approach
- Emotional regulation techniques
- Collaborative teamwork
Awards
- Award for Excellence in Journalism, Atlanta Press Association, 2000
- Theatre Departmental Fellowship, Columbia University, 2008-2011
- Teaching Artist, Ashland School District Fund Impact Grant, John Muir Elementary, 2013
Directing / Coaching/ Choreography
- Movement Director/Vocal Coach, Eurydice, University of Alaska Anchorage
- Movement Director, Aklaq and Naya, Anchorage Opera/UAA
- Director, Midsummer Night's Dream, Portland Playhouse
- Aerial Choreographer, The Tempest, First City Players
- Aerial Choreographer, Macbeth, Fairbanks Shakespeare
- Stunt and Acrobatics Choreographer, Three Sisters, Columbia University
- Assistant Director & Movement, Earthquake 64", University of Alaska Anchorage
Timeline
INSTRUCTOR
First City Players Theatre Arts School
07.2023 - 07.2023
TEACHER
Schoenbar Middle School
08.2022 - Current
Teaching Artist
Alaska Arts Education Consortium
06.2022 - Current
BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONIST / COMMUNITY LIAISON
Community Connections, Children's Mental Health
08.2021 - Current
INSTRUCTOR
First Alaskans Leadership Internship Training
06.2019 - 06.2019
INSTRUCTOR, Connect and Create: a devising workshop
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
03.2018 - 08.2019
INSTRUCTOR
Providence Adolescent Residential Treatment Program
01.2018 - 11.2019
INSTRUCTOR, Aerial for Actors
Perseverance Theatre
10.2016 - 10.2016
INSTRUCTOR, Adjunct Faculty
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
01.2016 - 12.2019
TEACHING ARTIST, ESL through Theatre Arts
Gero City School District (Japan)
08.2014 - 04.2015
GUEST LECTURER, Linklater Voice and Neutral Mask
University of Puget Sound
01.2014 - 05.2014
TEACHING ARTIST, Ashland School Fund Impact Grant
John Muir Elementary
04.2013 - 04.2013
INSTRUCTOR, Creative Movement
PHAME Academy of Performing Arts
01.2013 - 04.2013
TEACHING ARTIST, Turn Around Arts Initiative
Martin Luther King Elementary
09.2012 - 11.2012
SUPPORT SPECIALIST / SERVICE COORDINATOR
Community Connections, Children's Mental Health
05.2011 - 12.2014
TEACHING ARTIST, Shakespeare in Performance
Fawn Mountain Elementary
04.2011 - 05.2011
WORKSHOP LEADER, Techniques for Ensemble-Generated Theatre
08.2010 - 08.2010
PROJECT COORDINATOR / PRODUCTION ASST.
Broadstreet Communications
01.2004 - 12.2006
BS - Journalism (Honors), Film
Georgia State University
Trauma 101 & Trauma Informed Care
Co-Occurring Disorders Institute
Integrating Mindfulness into Education
Mindful Schools
Online Improv for All Students
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Masters of Arts - Teaching, Secondary Education
University of Alaska Southeast
MFA - Theatre
Columbia University
Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools
Attachment And Trauma Network