JOB EXPERIENCE
Art Background
STORE GRAPHIC ARTIST
Creates hand-drawn artwork on chalkboards, or materials to highlight and enhance store sales, programs, or events.
Designs custom 3D signage, displays, props, or other marketing materials to support store events and objectives, and promote sales.
Maintains Whole Foods Market’s visual display standards.
Establishes visual consistency, accuracy, and execution of product price and item signs and marketing materials.
Trains and mentors additional store graphic artists.
Keeps creative projects on schedule and budget.
Developed a Store Graphic Artist Training Manual for the Midwest Region.
Awarded 2015 Midwest Region’s All Star.
STUDIO ARTIST
Mixed Media artist, including hand-lettering, illustration, photography, pottery, bookbinding, paper crafts, jewelry, upcycled/ recycled materials, and creative writing.
Nationally collected and recognized
Best in show 3D Women in the Arts New Orleans LA
Merit Award Telfair Art Show Savannah GA
First Place University of Texas Student Art Show
EDUCATION
Master of Arts (education) Western Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts (education) Western Michigan University
18 hours Ceramics University of Texas Brownsville
18 hours Science Andrews University
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
Recognized for classroom management and student motivation
Proficient using Mac platform and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign).
Published writer of poetry, newspaper columns and articles. (CALYX, Coastal Current, Port Isabel Press)
TEACHING RESUME
An award winning teacher and artist. There is nothing more exciting than seeing a student making an amazing discovery for themselves.
TEACHER ASHEVILLE, NC
Sixth Grade Math/Science Teacher 1 year and Title II Math 2 years
Integrated art and music into the curriculum, origami with geometry, music and fractions, bookbinding with science lab writing, nature drawings, pop up books and symmetry
Significantly increased scores on state wide math tests all 3 years.
TEACHER BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC
Homeroom teacher grades 2-3
K-9 Science Teacher
Paper making with local plants, made watercolor paint from local dirt, kaleidoscopes to study light and symmetry
TEACHER BUCHANAN, MI
Grades 6-8 Science, Math, Social Studies, Gifted and Talented Teacher
K-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator
Wrote lesson plans for K-5 to match state wide science test using an experiential and inquiry based approach
Golden Apple Award recipient for SW Michigan and Northern Indiana
TESTIMONIALS
“Rhea had a way of making every subject interesting to kids. She was especially passionate about science and she always weaved in creative ways of making that and other topics relevant. Not only was she great with her students, she was a team player in collaborating with other teachers and always professional in working with the school administration.”
Michael Shore, Former School Board Member, The Learning Community School
“Ms. Fitzgerald has proven herself to be a teacher who is very attentive to student needs. She believes that all students can succeed, and she reaches children in a variety of ways. Ms. Fitzgerald is an excellent classroom manager, has innovative ideas and uses technology very well in her classroom. I highly recommend her.”
Joel Hathaway, Former Principal, Clyde A. Erwin Middle School
“Ms. Fitzgerald models, teaches, and develops innovative problem solving skills in her math and science classes. She establishes classroom norms with her students that push them to develop extraordinary ideas on their own. Her students build perseverance, courage to try new things, and communication skills unlike any class of children I have ever encountered. Rhea empowers her class to think deeply and find solutions that make sense while giving them freedom to express their individuality.”
Mandy Carter, Teacher, Clyde A. Erwin Middle School