I believe my privilege as a teacher is to cultivate resilience, curiosity, and connections. Having received my education in the liberal arts, I focus on finding connections across history, between people, weaving through schools of thought and by by using visual, aural, musical, and verbal touchpoints. I highlight intended learning outcomes supported by real-life examples. In assignments, I add a peppering of self-reflection questions. My students are able to subjectively envision the course's goals which keeps them personally invested in reaching the learning outcomes.

EDUCATION

M. F. A. New York Academy of Art (2008)
B. A. Bethany Lutheran College, Studio Art, Cum Laude (2005)
A. A. Bethany Lutheran College, Magna Cum Laude (2001)
Art Students League, New York (2009-2015)  

EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Faculty: ART HISTORY
Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY (2023-present) - class held in person, and on Brightspace
Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN (2023-present) - class held on Zoom and Moodle
Felician College, Lodi, NJ (2011-2012) - class held in person

Substitute Instructor
The Art Students League of New York, New York, NY (2017) 
Watercolor sessions for all skill levels; Naomi Campbell primary instructor. 

Critique Sessions
The League Residency at Vyt, Sparkill, NY (2014-2016) 
Guided group and individual critique sessions for artists participating in The Art Students League of New York's international artist-in-residence program. 

Artist Salon
Piermont Straus, Piermont, NY (2016)
Presented and demonstrated on the subject of life drawing/painting en plein air with historical roots in Anders Zorn's artwork. 

Guest Lecturer: Art 101
Felician College, Rutherford, NJ (2008)
Presented methods on the structure and rendering for an eye through lecture and demonstration. Guided students through exercises and evaluation.

Instructor and Lead Project Manager: Fellowship Mosaic
Sure Foundation Lutheran Church, Woodside, NY (2010)
Spearheaded a participation-based mosaic artwork, developed and implemented process for completion. Introduced concepts of symbolism, metaphor and narrative rooted in Christian iconography using lecture, demonstration, and exercises. Participants’ artwork culminated in a permanent installation.

Teaching Assistant: Absolute Beginners Drawing & Painting
Continuing Education at the New York Academy of Art (2008)
Reinforced lessons in foundation concepts giving specific attention to each student. Helped each student to set individual goals, discover solutions to problem areas.

Class Assistant: Painting I, Painting 4, History of Painting Techniques, Drawing and the Imagination, Art & Culture
Studio courses at the New York Academy of Art (2006-2008)
Classroom set-up and maintenance, managed props and lighting. Assisted administratively, which helped enable students to accomplish assigned tasks.

Docent
August Schell Brewing Company, New Ulm, MN (2003-2006)
Performed small and large tours of an historic brewery, sharing the brewery’s function and history with guests in an engaging manner. Taught guests proper tasting and evaluation techniques while sharing entertaining anecdotes about the history of brewing. Maintained historic objects in the museum, supervised guests while arranging tours.

Instructor
South Central Service Cooperative, Mankato, MN  (2002)
YMCA After School Arts Program, Mankato, MN  (2003)
Developed and implemented workshop to introduce students to the foundations of drawing portraits based on Polyclitus’ Canon.  Developed and implemented lesson plan to teach students the foundations of allegoric still-lifes and portraiture.  Included various exercises to stimulate creativity, with art history taught in conjunction.

Assistant Instructor
Cottonwood River Integration Collaborative, Palace Cultural Center, Sleepy Eye, MN – 2003
Young Michelangelo Art Camp, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN - 2002
Supervised activities in transit, during classroom work and at play, implemented lesson plans, and provided personal attention to students as needed. Supervised and supported art curriculum taught to children.  Introduced and reinforced traditional methods of art making. Encouraged original thought within that context.   

MEDIA SKILLSETS

Traditional Media - Oil, Acrylic, Fresco, Egg Tempera, building strainers and stretching canvas/linen, Artistic Anatomy
Digital Media - Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator; Microsoft Office, Wix, Squarespace, Weebly; PowerPoint, Prezi, Acrobat

SUPPORTIVE EXPERIENCE

Visual Communications Manager - Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, Nyack NY (2016-present)

Leadership - Alumni Association of the New York Academy of Art, NY
(Secretary 2023-2025, Advisory Board 2021-2023, President 2011-2015, Chair of Communications 2009-2011)

Publicist, Graphic Designer - WELS Labor Day Retreat, Great Barrington, MA (2011-2015) 

Resident Artist, Graphic Designer, Interior Coordinator - Sure Foundation Lutheran Church, Woodside, NY (2006-2012)

Director of Alumni Relations and Social Media - New York Academy of Art (2009-2011) 
Integrated new content for online presence in response to various events, news and offerings using multiple social media platforms, monthly newsletter and institutional website. Re-established and built relationships with Alumni by cultivating opportunities, increasing interaction and exchange between the Academy and Alumni. Helped to direct and facilitate the inaugural Alumni Reunion Exhibition and Weekend Event.

Assistant Coordinator for Anatomical Dissection - New York Academy of Art (2008/2011)
Initiated and recruited interest for non-credit bearing, extracurricular dissection workshop.  Supervised and provided moral support for students while in dissection lab.

Gallery Manager - New York, NY (2008 – 2009 PR9W; 2012 Island Weiss Gallery)
Oversaw daily operations including registrar duties. Drafted/edited correspondence, art sales and invoicing, press releases, catalogues and web content.  Maintained, updated and created new website design template. Digital imaging, designed and printed catalogue and collateral for major solo exhibition.

Editor and Graphic Designer: “Marking Time: an Illustrated Guide to Brown County’s Sites of Historical Interest” 
Brown County Historical Society, New Ulm, MN (2003-2006)
Investigated relevant history and records for over 150 historical sites in Brown County, MN. Located, photographed, and mapped historic sites to create a guidebook for the Brown County Historical Society. Designed layout and edited content to connect local history with wider State and National historical context.

Publicist, Graphic Designer: “Design & Delight” Tour of Homes, Silent Auction and Dessert Reception - New Ulm, MN (2005)