Resume

Multi-talented teaching professional, committed to providing a solid education and safe environment for all students. Successful teaching experience with middle and high school students in at-risk areas. Thorough knowledge of various music curriculum and current trends. Outstanding ability to ensure student success through differentiated instruction. Compassionate and inspiring; maintained a motivated classroom and workplace. Trustworthy educator with exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills to cultivate strong relationships with parents, students, and all members of the community.

EXPERIENCE

WOODWIND SPECIALIST AND UPPER SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR

Cambridge Public Schools District, Cambridge, MA 08/2017-Present

Instructed and developed an itinerant teaching curriculum for beginning woodwind instrumental students at 9 different schools teaching two classes for 45 minutes each week. Managed and coordinated all aspects of the band program at an Upper School including teaching, training, resources allocation, outreach, and performances. Generated many innovative ideas and took on a leadership role within the instrumental team.

  • Communicated with schools as a point person regarding administrative duties, problem solving situations and scheduling.

  • Incorporated cultural and diversity district goals and guidelines into the music curriculum in order to provide more well-rounded educational opportunities.

  • Collaborated with sub-separate classroom teachers to develop and achieve successful music opportunities for all students.

  • Arranged music to promote cultural diversity and responsive learning experiences for all students.

  • Pioneered instructional technology experiences by creating digital curriculum and developed an online website for students to use as an enrichment tool.

  • Mentored new members to the itinerant instrumental team by providing instructional feedback, classroom implementations, and co-teaching experiences.

  • Overhauled woodwind music curriculum to accelerate instructional learning at a pace consistent with an abbreviated schedule.

  • Designed and taught professional development courses covering topics from teaching as a traveling arts teacher to teaching resources for urban school communities.

  • Consolidated the instrumental selection process and developed forms, surveys, and spreadsheet calculations to streamline the process.

  • Encouraged students who successfully auditioned for All-County and District Honor Bands.

  • Coordinated with teachers to develop interdisciplinary units that incorporated music with another subject area.

  • Organized school performances including community letters; booking venue; stage setup; and hosting.


TEACHER/DIRECTOR

Josiah Quincy Upper School, Boston, MA 08/2013-Present

Incorporated and developed International Baccalaureate curriculum for the Middle Years Program (MYP) and Diploma Program (DP) encompassing grades 6th-12th at an inner-city school. Managed and coordinated all aspects of the band and general music programs including teaching, training, funding, resources allocation, outreach, and performances.

  • Began a band program at the school. Recruited students, generated funds, obtain teaching outreach, and have grown the band to over 80 members.

  • Developed program curriculum for band and general music to reflect the guidelines of the International Baccalaureate program, district, state, and federal guidelines. Incorporated differentiated instruction to ensure student success and half of teaching load was inclusion classrooms.

  • Formed relationships with several community partners including the Berklee College of Music; New England Conservatory; House of Blues; Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center; Community Center of Boston; and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Opportunities included performance visits; faculty coaching/lessons; instruments; and after-school/summer programs.

  • Successfully had students audition and accepted to All-East Massachusetts Honor Band; Berklee City Music All-Star Ensemble; and the Berklee Advanced High School Music Mentoring Program.

  • Performances at numerous venues in the Boston area including the House of Blues; Liberty Mutual Building; and Historic Boston Common in addition to school-wide/community performances.

  • Attended professional development trainings or visited programs in Boston; New Mexico; Mexico; and El Salvador with topics concerning Urban School Music; IB Music; and visited schools/programs in Latin America to study music approaches in those countries.

  • Incorporated interdisciplinary units into curriculum working with World Language, Math, and Science subject areas in addition to creating lessons with other ‘Arts’ areas.

  • Received almost $210,000 in grants and awards to fund instruments; teaching assistance; and extra-curricular music program opportunities.

  • Coordinated school and community events both on and off campus and provided opportunities to share cultural experiences through performances.

  • Served as a member of the school site council that works with the principals to oversee school improvement plans and budgets.

  • Featured on local media and VH1 Music Television performing for Charlie Puth and Ernie Boch, Jr., gaining school and music program local and national recognition.

  • 2017 recipient of the Berklee College of Music Urban Music Service Award. The award is given annually to individuals who perform social change in the Great Boston area and honors people who make a difference in the Boston communities through music.

TEACHER/DIRECTOR

West Middle School, Las Vegas, NV 08/2007-10/2012

Built a remarkably successful program from scratch at an inner-city school ranked the lowest in Nevada in terms of student discipline. Managed and coordinated all aspects of the band program including teaching, training, funding, resources allocation, and performances.

  • Inherited a band program during August 2007 with 15 students. Recruited students, generated funds, grew the band to 250 students by 2011, and transformed the program into an award-winning band performing original compositions / musical arrangements.

  • Developed program curriculum to reflect district, state, and federal teaching guidelines. Incorporated differentiated instruction to ensure student success.

  • Maintained accurate student records and administered examinations. Progress was relayed to other teachers and parents to ensure student academic success.

  • Led more students to successfully audition and make the Clark County School District Honor Band and the Las Vegas Youth Symphony Orchestra in five years than during the previous 20-year school history.

  • Consistent ratings of ‘Excellent’ at district band festivals and 1st place band at the 2012,2011,2010, and 2009 Las Vegas Martin Luther King, Jr., parade.

  • Managed the financial aspects and budgeting for the program by collecting fees, paying vendors, and receiving over $90,000 in grants and gifts.

  • Chaired and served on several school and community committees to promote events and raise awareness of ‘Arts’ education importance in surrounding communities.

  • Created databases for instrument inventory and music library. Scheduled performances and transportation for groups ranging in 4 to 300 in size.

  • Designed and coordinated development, production, and distribution of promotional materials for the program and performances including flyers and circulated mass mailings, emails, and social media to parents and the community.

  • Managed and evaluated aides, volunteers, and para-professionals working for the program.

INSTRUCTOR

Morris Sunset East High School, Las Vegas, NV 01/2008-10/2012

Taught and instructed the drumline at this low socioeconomic credit retrieval night school. Designed, developed, documented, and managed formal and non-formal educational programs.

  • Recruited students from various backgrounds, including ESL and Special Education, to form school drumline to help increase attendance, graduation rates, and improve student discipline.

  • Mentored and coached students to overcome many personal challenges including prior criminal records, gang affiliation, and teen pregnancy.

  • Helped older students to become leaders and mentors for new members.

  • Managed all logistical requirements; scheduled performance, arranged transportation and other equipment requirements for up to 15 students per performance.

  • Conducted presentations representing the school during community performances and grant proposals

  • Grew drumline to become a highly regarded group at the school, helping to ensure student graduate success. The drumline was the only ensemble selected to perform at the Educational Services Division Graduation ceremonies, for five years consecutively, from seven schools.

EDUCATION

  • Master of Music in Music Performance, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 2007

  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN, 2004

  • Additional Graduate Coursework: Dominican University of California; Augustana University; Antioch University of Seattle; University of Southern New Hampshire.

  • State of Massachusetts Certified Teacher: Music #470313