Comprehensive Art Education
Abigail Simaytis
E-mail: asimaytis@dist265.com
Students need to be met halfway. They are future politicians, doctors, artists, and educators. Wanting to be able to reach all of my students on an academic level is a large part of the way I teach is that every student deserves to learn and a part of my job is to make sure that the students are having their needs met. With art education, there is a common misconception that every student in the class is a visual learner. I may have students that are auditory learners or visual learners and I need to be capable of working with their learning style so they can take in as much information as possible. To have kids wonder and question the world around them is a reward in itself. Teaching is the only profession that opens to all other professions.
Current Employer
Farmington Central School District #265
212 N. Lightfoot Road
Farmington, IL 61531
Active roles:
Teach 6th grade through senior year
Art Club Advisor
Key Club Advisor
Dance Coach
Drama Dept. Art Director
Education
Western Illinois University
August 2014 - May 2017
I will be completing my Bachelor's degree in Art Education with an endorsement in sociology at Western Illinois University in May of 2017. I have worked hard and closely with the program to make sure that I gain every bit of education and experience that I can.
Skills
Adobe
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Photoshop
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Flash
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InDesign
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Illustrator
TCA Certified
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Microsoft
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Word
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Excel
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Powerpoint
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Glass Making
Wood Making
Textiles
Fabric Arts
Weaving
Ceramics
2010 - present
Black Hawk Community College
August 2012 - May 2014
I earned my Associate's degree in Arts in May 2014. There, I took glass fusion, life drawing, and black and white film photography.
2010 - present
Clinical Field Experience
Student Teaching
Spring 2017
In the fall of 2015, I designed and taught a unit plan about different styles of art. There were four lessons which were two days each. This unit plan f
Block Teaching
Fall 2016
In the fall of 2015, I designed and taught a unit plan about different styles of art. There were four lessons which were two days each. This unit plan f
Field Experience
Spring 2016
In the fall of 2015, I designed and taught a unit plan about different styles of art. There were four lessons which were two days each. This unit plan f
Field Experience
Fall 2015
In the fall of 2015, I designed and taught a unit plan about different styles of art. There were four lessons which were two days each. This unit plan focused on styles of art which included: pointillism, cubism, picture enlargement, and mosaic scenes. All of the individual lessons had an art history lesson within it. The lessons were taught to students in first and second grade.
Field Experience
Spring 2015
In the spring of 2015, two classmates and I designed and taught a unit plan about travel. There were four lessons within the unit which included: creating a suitcase that showed where they were going on their trip, students designing their mode of transportation, a postcard to send to their parents, and a photobook of their travels. The lessons were taught to students in first and second grade.
Honors & Scholarships
Tuition Waiver
Western Illinois University
Spring 2017
Tuition Waiver
Western Illinois University
Fall 2016
Tuition Waiver
Western Illinois University
Fall 2015
Partial Tuition Waiver
Western Illinois University
Spring 2015
Maple City Art Show
1st Place/ Best of Show recipient
Geneseo, IL Art League
May 2014
Black Hawk College Student Exhibition
1st Place/ 3rd Place recipient
April 2014
Volunteer Experience
First Wednesday Art Program
Fall 2015
In the fall of 2015, I designed and taught a lesson plan about abstracting the alphabet. This program was open to students and the public where they could come in, see what we do as students and future educators while getting to do a project. This took place on the first Wednesday of every month.
4-H Art Judge
July 2013
In July of 2013, I judged a local 4-H fair where students were to submit pieces of art created by themselves and no guidelines. There were two categories: 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional with each category having a sub-category that students had to follow.
College for Kids
Summer 2011
This program is for students that need an extra push when it comes to academics. The students would attend five classes which included: history, science, math, theater production, and art. All of the classes had an overall big idea which was about King Arthur's Court. In the art class, students learned how to make their own suit of armor with milk jugs, paint, yarn, and duct tape.
References
Ta-Teh Ku, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Art Education/Western Illinois University
Email: t-ku@wiu.edu
Mrs. Susan Blake
Elementary & High School Art Teacher for Kewanee School District, Retired
Email: susanjblake@hotmail.com
Mr. Marc Nelson
Elementary & Junior High Art Teacher for Kewanee School District, Theater Director
Email: mnelson@kcud229.org
Mrs. Lisa Stisser
Elementary & High School Art Teacher for Kewanee School District, Art League Director
Email: lstisser@kcud229.org