Artist/Educator
Describing myself as an artist and educator in short, I would say I am a small P.E.A (poet, author, educator) in a big pot, packing a lot of flavor. As one of the many talented artists and educators in the field of education and the arts, my style is unique, as I intertwine literacy, poetry and performance with mostly all of my projects. I do incorporate other components such as visual arts and music as well, but poetry is my gel.
My artistry is creative writing, poetry and bringing stories to life on page and stage.
My teaching informs my artistry by allowing me to use my strengths, talents and gifts to convey the message to the student or audience through creative writing, spoken-word poetry, reader’s theatre or whatever format I need to use to reach the intended. Simultaneously, my artistry informs my teaching in a way that lets me know if I delivered the message to the intended effectively. Is he receiving the message or instructions clearly to convey it back to me and others in his own way, ultimately creating new work and information for an audience? As an artist I am a free spirit who will push myself and others to the max to get the best product.
Development of Artistic Practice
Developing my artistic practice has been a lifelong journey. If I had to pinpoint when it started, to my earliest recollection, I would say I begin developing my artistic practice as a child who loved the rhythm, rhyme and beat of poetry as my mother read it. Then my official teachers taught and introduced me to different formats and challenged me to deliver poetry recitations. They also called on me to read aloud often in class. This boosted my confidence. Someone liked what I was doing. Occasionally, I was put in elementary school plays and programs. I learned initially from them, my mother and my teachers who gave me exposure to a lot of books and the arts.
In addition to my mother and teachers teaching me, I began to teach myself. I immersed myself in poetry. As a young adult the open mic scene in Chicago and Memphis helped me to develop and nurture my gift as an artist. Teaching special education, theatre and reading helped develop me as an artist as well. I had to find a way to reach the children beyond paper, pencil and textbook. I resorted to reader’s theatre, spoken-word poetry and plays. My students had to act out their lesson. This helped me to understand what they actually understood. I had to use my artistry to tune in to the lesson and teach it. Other teachers would invite me to perform in their classrooms and school events. People also started to pay me to do an original spoken-word piece at their events. I hosted a series of open mic shows at the legendary Precious Cargo, Handy Bar on Beale and Funny Man’s Hot Wing and Comedy Spot (now known as Chuckles Comedy House)in Memphis.
As a result of my love for the arts, poetry and literacy I immersed in them all as an educator, Teaching Artist and a Literacy-Loving, Highly Skilled LIS (Library Information Specialist) promoting what I call the 3 R's, Reading, Research, and Resources, thus creating lifelong readers, learners and creators.
Describing myself as an artist and educator in short, I would say I am a small P.E.A (poet, author, educator) in a big pot, packing a lot of flavor. As one of the many talented artists and educators in the field of education and the arts, my style is unique, as I intertwine literacy, poetry and performance with mostly all of my projects. I do incorporate other components such as visual arts and music as well, but poetry is my gel.
My artistry is creative writing, poetry and bringing stories to life on page and stage.
My teaching informs my artistry by allowing me to use my strengths, talents and gifts to convey the message to the student or audience through creative writing, spoken-word poetry, reader’s theatre or whatever format I need to use to reach the intended. Simultaneously, my artistry informs my teaching in a way that lets me know if I delivered the message to the intended effectively. Is he receiving the message or instructions clearly to convey it back to me and others in his own way, ultimately creating new work and information for an audience? As an artist I am a free spirit who will push myself and others to the max to get the best product.
Development of Artistic Practice
Developing my artistic practice has been a lifelong journey. If I had to pinpoint when it started, to my earliest recollection, I would say I begin developing my artistic practice as a child who loved the rhythm, rhyme and beat of poetry as my mother read it. Then my official teachers taught and introduced me to different formats and challenged me to deliver poetry recitations. They also called on me to read aloud often in class. This boosted my confidence. Someone liked what I was doing. Occasionally, I was put in elementary school plays and programs. I learned initially from them, my mother and my teachers who gave me exposure to a lot of books and the arts.
In addition to my mother and teachers teaching me, I began to teach myself. I immersed myself in poetry. As a young adult the open mic scene in Chicago and Memphis helped me to develop and nurture my gift as an artist. Teaching special education, theatre and reading helped develop me as an artist as well. I had to find a way to reach the children beyond paper, pencil and textbook. I resorted to reader’s theatre, spoken-word poetry and plays. My students had to act out their lesson. This helped me to understand what they actually understood. I had to use my artistry to tune in to the lesson and teach it. Other teachers would invite me to perform in their classrooms and school events. People also started to pay me to do an original spoken-word piece at their events. I hosted a series of open mic shows at the legendary Precious Cargo, Handy Bar on Beale and Funny Man’s Hot Wing and Comedy Spot (now known as Chuckles Comedy House)in Memphis.
As a result of my love for the arts, poetry and literacy I immersed in them all as an educator, Teaching Artist and a Literacy-Loving, Highly Skilled LIS (Library Information Specialist) promoting what I call the 3 R's, Reading, Research, and Resources, thus creating lifelong readers, learners and creators.
Education
Union University, Elementary Education Coursework 2016
Union University, School Library Administration, Library Information Specialist 2010
Belmont University, Tennessee Arts Academy, Theatre Coursework 2006
University Of Memphis, Reading Specialist 2005
University Of Memphis, Master of Arts in Teaching 2001-2004
Rust College, Holly Springs, MS Bachelor of Science 1993-1996
Certifications
Professional Licensed Teacher, Areas of Endorsement
Lib In Specialist Prek-12 (473)
Reading Specialist K-12 (486)
Special Education Comprehensive (461)
Qualified to teach Personal Finance
Click emoji to view Public License on TNCompass
Lib In Specialist Prek-12 (473)
Reading Specialist K-12 (486)
Special Education Comprehensive (461)
Qualified to teach Personal Finance
Click emoji to view Public License on TNCompass
Schools Served
Overton High, Librarian 9th-12th
Belle Forest Elementary, 2nd-4th Grade
Double Tree Elementary, Librarian PreK-5th
Richland Elementary, 4th Grade
Craigmont High, Librarian 9th-12th
Hillcrest High, Reading 9th
G.W. Carver High Special Education, Reading, Intro to Theatre, Acting for the Stage, 9th-12th
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Substitute Teacher K-8
Belle Forest Elementary, 2nd-4th Grade
Double Tree Elementary, Librarian PreK-5th
Richland Elementary, 4th Grade
Craigmont High, Librarian 9th-12th
Hillcrest High, Reading 9th
G.W. Carver High Special Education, Reading, Intro to Theatre, Acting for the Stage, 9th-12th
Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Substitute Teacher K-8