CITIZENSHIP: British
GENDER: Female
MARITAL STATUS: Single
SUMMARY
• Artist, IB PYP Visual Art Teacher, Kindergarten educator with 18 years teaching experience and Conscious Discipline Trained (a comprehensive classroom management program and a social-emotional curriculum). I am committed to creating a stimulating and encouraging learning environment that empowers students to take responsibility for their own learning. I engage in a reflective teaching practice, constantly striving for ways to promote meaningful learning related to real-life experiences. I strive to create an open-minded and respectful learning environment, where every student feels a strong sense of safety, purpose and belonging. I am a problem solver, meticulous, highly organized, creative, innovative and passionate with strong analytical and communications skills.
EDUCATION
• Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University, Egypt June 1992
BA in Fine Arts, Grade =Merit (2:1), Included a project on War. Grade = First Class
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Makers Learning School International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (September 2015 - Present)
Visual Art Teacher Sep 2020- June 2022 (Kindergarten, Primary and middle school)
• Developed the Visual Art Curriculum and appropriate transitions between KG, Primary and Middle school.
• All the lessons from the beginning of the year to the end are like waves of themes with similar directions, built on each other and related to a system of units.
• Integrated subjects into art using inquiry-based learning approach. created assessments and tracking student progress.
• Greeting children by the door and establishing meaningful connections to create a bio-chemistry that optimizes the function of our brain.
• Creating a safe environment were the child feels safe to express her/him self freely without judgment as important as ensuring safety and hygiene when children using tools and equipment.
• Guide children to manage their feelings by helping them use composure and learning the missing skills.
• During Virtual Learning materials sent home in advance for each semester and materials slide posted weekly for the materials needed for the lesson. Weekly slide provided the teaching point, learning goals, videos and pictures support parental involvement.
• Initiated the importance of visiting art galleries and accompanied them to Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2022.
• Gave art workshops for Cleaning staff/ teachers to show appreciation as members of MLS Family
• Coordinated between MLS and Synergy art hub and took part in giving a special day for the children of Ensan Organization (Charity Community for Orphans Care) on MLS premises where MLS students helped to make a difference.
• Initiated stopping single-use plastic in the school and became one of the Lead of Eco Warriors Team.
• Teaching students about the environment has always been something I have prioritized. Over the years, the students became passionate about stopping the use of single-use plastic and they took it deep at heart. They created art sculptures, designed dresses using recycled materials.
• Published in MLS Buzz monthly magazine.
• Designed and led an end of year art exhibition.
• Promoted the importance of safety and healthy diet and modeled it.
Kindergarten Teacher 2015-2020
Makers Learning School International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Develop unit/lesson plans that allow for the differentiation of instruction to meet the needs of students with different learning styles.
• Incorporated dance and movement into the curriculum to address different learning modalities.
• Analyzed data to inform daily guided reading, mathematics, and English Language Arts instruction.
• Implemented Common Core State Standards and administered & graded DRA’s and Words Their Way Spelling Inventories.
• Took students on field trips and fostered parental involvement in and outside of the classroom.
• Integrated the use of technology in the classroom and monitored the responsible use of digital devices for instructional purposes
Kindergarten Teacher (August 2013- June 2015)
Riyadh Schools, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Provided whole group and small group differentiated lessons for both male and female students.
• Ensured thorough planning, informed delivery, assessment of common core curriculum to facilitate progression in learning.
• Planned and accessed lessons according to the California Curriculum and implement a range of ICT in my teaching practices.
• Took responsibility for managing and monitoring each student’s progress.
• Used varied formative and summative assessments to guide instruction decisions.
• Encourage inquiry learning and concept-based instruction.
IB PYP Visual Art Teacher (August 2011 - June 2013) King Faisal School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Developed the Visual Art Curriculum and appropriate transitions between grades 1-5 (including 3D large scale art projects).
• Provided whole group and small group differentiated art lessons for children.
• Designed and led three art exhibitions and two photography exhibitions that raised over $400 to help children of African descent reunite with their families after loosing their parents in a horrific bus accident.
• Planned several successful movie weeks and whole school educational field trips.
• Hosted several Origami demos for members of the Japanese Embassy.
Kindergarten Teacher (August 2007- June 2011)
Abdulaziz International Schools, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Interior Design Department Secretary (August 2003 - June 2007)
Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Ran the Administrative Affairs department and designed posters, brochures, magazine covers, and flyers for the department and the university.
WORKSHOPS
• Attended 30+ hours of the Conscious Discipline E-Learning Building Resiliency: Returning to school in Uncertain Times at MLS Riyadh.
• Foundation Course in Writing – Writers Workshop – (Lucy Calkins) Bangkok, Thailand.
• Inquiry in the PYP – Ellen Alquist King Faisal School, Riyadh, KSA.
• PYP – The Role of Arts (Category 3) Greenfield Community School, Dubai, UAE.
• Assessment Category 2 – Jeff Beard IB Director General, Organized by the IB Regional Office for Africa, at KFS.
• Classroom Management & Public Speaking, British Council, Riyadh, KSA.
• Making the PYP Happen in the Classroom, International College, Beirut, Lebanon.
ART EXHIBITIONS
• Took part in several national and international group exhibitions in Egypt, England, Italy, Spain, New York, UAE, and KSA.
• I have travelled extensively in the Middle East and beyond, and this has inspired in me the love of different cultures reflected on my art.
• 2022 Participated in World Art Dubai, UAE March 16-19)
• 2020 participated in Artmosphere Pop up gallery NYC, USA. (February17-24)
• 2019 participated in Art Tolerance & Culture Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain. (November 14)
• 2019 Participated in The Body Language Exhibition in Venice, Italy. (February-March)
• 2019 Participated in Venice International Art Fair, The Room Contemporary Art Space (April-May)
• 2019 Participated in the International Painting Exhibition Women in Art, Zervas Art Fair, Galleria360, Florence, Italy
• 2018 Receptionist of the Best Arab Expressionist Artist in the world award, London Art Exhibition, England
• 2003 Freelancer for different firms in Saudi and abroad (2003-2018)
• 2002 Art in Arabia Watercolor Exhibition, British Embassy, Riyadh, KSA
• 1997 Charcoal Drawing, Taunton Open Drawing Competition, Somerset, England
• 1994 Youth Salon Exhibition, Akhneton Gallery, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
• 1992 Alexandria World Festival Exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Egypt
SKILLS AND HUBBIES
• knowledge of Mac OS, Windows, Microsoft office, Smartboard and Google For Education Level 1 Training (in process)
• Drawing, painting, sculpturing, sketching and photography
• Traveling, Dancing and swimming
• Fluent in English and Arabic (read, write, speak)
REFERENCES
• Amirah Al Sheikh MLS Art coordinator: asalsheikh79@gmail.com
+966 50 443 4813 (More available upon request)