I have taught Visual Arts in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system for 21 years. I taught 14 years at Garinger High School and then 7 years at Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences. I have a two year transferable Fine Arts Degree from Central Piedmont Community College. I have a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting and a teaching certification of k-12 from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I am certified in Visual Arts Studio Advanced Placement. I participated in the National Board Process. I am the Arts and Science Council Representative. I participate on the School Health Team. I serve on the Instructional Leadership Team. I mentor several new teachers and seniors with their Graduation Projects. I serve as the advisor for the Art Club. I am part of the Studio Art Advanced Placement Alliance team. One of my students won first place in the Festival in the Park Art Contest during the 2015-2016 school year. One of my students won third place for the district in the Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest in 2015-2106 school year. One student won a Gold Award and another student won a Silver Award in the Scholastics Art and Writing Contest during 2015-2016 school year. One student won a Gold Award in the Scholastics Art and Writing Contest during the 2016-2017 school year. I have provided all students with opportunities to attend several cultural performances at the Knight Theater this year.
I have created a specialized course for Hawthorne students that plan to pursue the artistic side of the Health Sciences pathway. This course aligns the Health Sciences with a connection to the art field. This class requires students to solve and create project-based artwork. Students will explore architecture, anatomy, color theory, advertising, art therapy, fashion design, and other possible Health Science integrated criteria during the semester. This unique curriculum is only offered at Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences.
I am married and have two sons. I enjoy painting and spending time with my family. Assisting students with their personal art journey has been my passion throughout my teaching career.