My name is Jennifer West and I’m the Visual Art Teacher at John Adams Middle School (JAMS) in Santa Monica, CA. I enjoy anything related to the arts and creativity. My husband and I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago six years ago in order for him to participate in a cinematography fellowship at the American Film Institute. Since that time, he has graduated, some family and friends have followed us out here after many phone calls full of bragging about the beautiful ocean and perfect weather. Beyond the classroom I find so much inspiration in physical activities such as riding my beach cruiser and practicing yoga and meditation. I have worked in several L.A. area private schools, and I treasure every moment teaching art in the Santa Monica/Malibu Public School District. My experience in teaching Visual Art up until moving here has been in quality public school districts, and although it took me a couple of years to clear my California teaching credential, I am now very pleased to say that I will be returning for my third year teaching art at JAMS. Please check out my professional portfolio and take a look through the other pages of my BLOG!
PS
For those who don’t know, a blog is interactive, I would love to hear from you anytime and welcome the interaction that a BLOG opens up!
RESUME
Education
Methods of teaching secondary art Fall 2007
California State University, Northridge
“Griserie di Luda” studios, Sicily, Italy
• Traditional Sicilian ceramics studies of Summer 2002
hand-building and pottery wheel techniques
M.Ed. Teaching and Learning: 2000
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
B.A. Fine Art: Trinity College, Washington, D.C. 1993
Certification
California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential #070259454
Visual Art
California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential #030170194
Supplementary Authorization in Visual Art
Teaching Experience
Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica, CA 2007 – Present
John Adams Middle School, Visual Art 6-8
• Teach middle school visual art with emphasis on art history and the elements and
principles of design
• Expose students to a variety of tools, techniques, and processes at developmentally
appropriate levels
• Successfully advocated for a shift from grade level to performance based visual art courses
• Develop Visual Art curriculum in alignment with Santa Monica Visual Art standards
• Aligned John Adams and Lincoln Middle School Visual Art programs for continuity
• Hosted after school arts academy
• Established display areas for presenting student artwork throughout campus buildings and offices
• Encouraged and organized student participation in various art shows and contests
• District BB site committee member
Yeshivat Yavneh Hebrew Academy, Los Angeles, CA 2005 – 2007
Visual Art Pre-K-8
• Teach elementary and middle school visual art with emphasis on process and Judaic art history in a
dual curriculum environment
• Develop visual art curriculum in alignment with California state standards
• Develop curriculum including ceramics utilizing school kiln
• Organize and display student artwork throughout campus
• Teach special needs visual art to eighth grade Etta Israel boy’s class
The Help Group, Sherman Oaks, CA 2003 – 2005
Village Glen, Sunrise, Bridgeport, Beacon, and Harbor Schools, Visual Art Pre-K-12+
* Commendation for outstanding visual arts programming issued by the state of California’s
department of school accreditation
• Head visual art teacher of visual art program on Sherman Oaks campus
• Mentored other visual art teacher and art teacher’s aide
• Supervised art education student teacher
• Guided students and faculty across campus in the development of a fifty-foot outdoor ceramic
mural from concept through completion
• Taught visual art to students with developmental disabilities ranging from five to twenty-one
years of age
• Encouraged and organized student participation in various art and gallery shows, contests, and
special portfolio development programs
• Instituted and developed curriculum for ceramics program utilizing kiln
• Established outreach relationships with Laguna College of Art and Design
• Organized and displayed student artwork throughout campus
Skokie School District 68, Skokie, IL January 2001 – 2003
Old Orchard Junior High School, Visual Art 6-8
• Taught middle school visual art with emphasis on process, art history, and multicultural education
• Secured Illinois Arts Council grant of $9,000.00 for ceramic muralist in residence, Corinne Peterson,
to complete with Skokie SD and community
• Displayed student artwork throughout multiple school buildings
• Photographed and provided digital images of student artwork for student run cable network
• Exposed students to a variety of mediums at age appropriate levels
• Developed Visual Art curriculum in alignment with IL state standards
• Led after-school Art Plus program
• Encouraged and organized student participation in various art shows and contests
• Provided support for plays and special events, including “SNOWFLAKE”
Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL 2000 – 2001
Hamline Elementary School, Visual Art 4-8
• Taught elementary and middle school visual art with emphasis on process, art history, and
multicultural education
• Developed visual art curriculum in alignment with Illinois state standards
• Supported all teachers in the implementation of arts integration
• Motivation committee member
North Berwyn School District 98, Berwyn, IL 1999 – 2000
Karel Havlicek Elementary School, Visual Art K-5
Jefferson Elementary School, Visual Art
Shared Visual Arts Position
• Taught elementary visual art with emphasis on process, art history, and multicultural education
• Developed visual art curriculum in alignment with Illinois state standards
• Coordinated the use of various materials from “Art on a cart”
• Created and organized extracurricular arts club at two elementary schools
• Comprehensive Art Curriculum committee member responsible for implementing arts integration
program through district-wide training sessions facilitated by local arts integration experts
WORKSHOPS and STUDENT SHOWS
Annual Smart Day October 2006
Taught Papermaking workshop open to art educators and CSUN students sponsored by the California Art Education Association
The Art of Tattoo and Illustration December 2007
one of our John Adams parents is a trained tattoo artist. Mr. Singleton graciously shared his artwork, experience, and insight into the business of art. Students were then led through the process of designing an original design and supported in bringing their ideas to life on paper.
Student Art Shows
SOAR March 2003
Students’ Outstanding Artistic Recognition is a student show sponsored by the Skokie Fine Arts Commission. Participants enjoyed the prestigious honor of a Mayor’s reception and the opportunity to display their artwork at the newly constructed North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL
Village Glen Art Show April 2004
Student art show hosted by The Help Group at the Village Glen campus in Sherman Oaks, CA. This show highlighted approximately 60 pieces of two-dimensional student artwork created by students from the mild to severe programs across The Help Group campus.
Through Our Eyes February 2005
Art show hosted by the Finegood Art Gallery included a variety of student artwork created by those specifically with developmental disabilities. At the gallery students enjoyed meeting and greeting with L.A. GOAL, a community non-profit organization and community center which offers art opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities
ICAN April 2005
Student finalists of The Help Group enjoyed a mayor’s reception and cash awards for winning posters in the annual poster contest hosted by the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN, A private non-profit partner Los Angeles County)
Various Special Projects 2003-2005
Throughout my tenure with The Help group, students were recruited and guided in the creation of special projects used as gifts to honorees such as the Milken Family Foundation and private donors. In addition, in cooperation with the special projects coordinator, many special art projects were created by students for fund-raising, auctions, and mergers with large organizations for funding (such as the creation of holiday cards mass produced and sold at Starbucks)
JAMS Artwork at Santa Monica High School January 2008
Student art display hosted by Santa Monica High School. This show highlighted approximately 50 pieces of two-dimensional student artwork created by JAMS students ranging from grades 6-8. Artwork remained on display in the history building alongside Santa Monica High School student artwork for approximately two months for all to enjoy.
JAMS Visual and Performing Arts Showcase March 2008
Student visual and performing arts showcase held in conjunction with “back to school night”. Family and students enjoyed an evening full of JAMS talent. Approximately 100 pieces of both two and three-dimensional artworks set the stage for various performances including instrumental and vocal performances by JAMS students.
Celebration For the Arts, Pier Party! April, 2008
Proceeds from this Santa Monica fundraising event went entirely to “For the Arts”, an organization wholly dedicated to the promotion and funding of the visual and performing arts in the Santa Monica public schools. Honoring the theme of this year’s program, John Adams students contributed Several beach and hip-hop themed shadow boxes, as well as collections of photographs especially created for this event. After the party was over, artwork was retained for further display time at the carousel.
