Art Teacher Bio & Resume

From 2002 to 2019, Ms. Kaiser worked as a graphic designer for various weekly newspapers and as a freelance artist in Maine and Idaho. Ad design, page layout, diagrams, and illustrations were her bread and butter. She learned not only about the power of smart design, but the wins in collaborating with a team, departments, and clients. She became dexterous and gained a solid appreciation for how a well-built image can successfully convey ideas. Ms. Kaiser has also worked in an educational capacity as a Registered Maine Whitewater Guide where she trained and led paddling crews through Class V rapids. When not on the river, she taught horsemanship, instructed rock climbing, and coached for the non-profit after school program Girls on the Run in Idaho. Ms. Kaiser loved the connection she made with her students. Seeing them understand for themselves that what they were learning was not only enjoyable but empowering.

While Ms. Kaiser was earning her Masters in Art Teaching from MECA, she was captivated by the teaching framework Studio Thinking and the Eight Habits of Mind. She holds a BFA in Painting from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and this framework synchronizes perfectly with her understanding of the artistic process. Besides Studio Thinking, Kristen is intrigued by the theory of Multiple Intelligences. She appreciates how this approach caters to a child’s uniqueness and how it will enable her lessons to be adjusted to play to their strengths, ensuring a better learning experience. She interned with skilled mentors at Poland Community School and Hall-Dale High School, both in Maine. She absorbed the experiences and her mentors' wisdom of practice.

To Ms. Kaiser the art classroom has always been a safe haven for creativity and growth. She aims to continue that atmosphere in her teaching here at Winthrop High School.

Ms. Kaiser's email is KKaiser@WinthropSchools.org

Her professional website from the private sector can be found at KaiserCreative.us.

RESUME

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Winthrop High School Sept. 2021- Present
Winthrop, ME
Art Teacher – grades 9-12

Developed and implement coursework for Art I, Art II, Advanced Drawing, Ceramics, Painting, Sculpture, and Contemporary Craft
Revived Art Club
Transitioned all classes between online and in-person during sudden Covid closures and opening. Accommodate remote learners.

Hall-Dale High School Feb.–April 2020
Hollowell, ME
Teaching Intern – grades 9-12

Developed and implement coursework for Art II, Advanced Drawing & Painting, Printmaking, Photography, and Metal Sculpture classes
Reorganized lesson content to accommodate at home learning during Coronavirus pandemic
Transitioned all classes to an online platform

Poland Community School Jan–Feb 2020
Poland, ME
Teaching Intern – grades K-6

Directed 20 classes of 10-26 students independently with the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports management
Collaborated in a district-wide scope and sequence plan for its art curriculum
Implemented lesson plans for all academic areas based on Maine Learning Results for Art
Prepared a streamlined classroom set-up for each lesson, cognizant of material need and student developmental needs

Adventures in Art, Institute of Contemporary Art Nov. 2019
Portland, ME
Workshop Facilitator – grade 7

Guided an exploratory exercise in the ICA gallery
Instructed a marketing workshop

Portland Museum of Art, Fall Workshop Sept. 2019
Portland, ME
Art museum facilitator – grades 5-6

Conducted a lecture on Maine artist Neil Welliver’s art
Crafted a follow-up lesson for students at The Breakwater School

Learning Works After School: Make. Art. Think Aug.–Nov. 2019
Portland, ME
Art Enrichment Teacher – grades 2-5

Instructed in summer and after school art enrichment program
Worked with teacher candidates to compile students’ work into a group exhibit at MECA

PSL Services/STRIVE Sept.–Oct. 2019
South Portland, ME
Outreach Teacher – young adult

Lead art lessons to help with independent living skills to people with learning disabilities
Coordinated, prepared and supplied the art lessons color expressionism and printmaking

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Teaching, 2020
Maine College of Art, Portland, ME

Bachelor of Fine Art, Painting, 1998
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Associate Degree in Visual Art, 1995
Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA

CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

Maine Teaching Certificate Visual Arts Grades K-12

National Arts Education Association Member

Maine Arts Education Association Member

1st Aid and CPR Certified 2020

INSTRUCTIONAL & VOLUNTEER

Coach
Girls on The Run, Bellevue, ID 2018

Volunteer Firefighter
Wood River Fire & Rescue, Hailey, ID 2011

Senior Horsemanship Riding Instructor
Camp Ketcha, Scarborough, ME 2007–’10

Registered Maine Whitewater Guide
Class V on Kennebec, Dead, and Penobscot Rivers, ME 2002–’08

Rock Climbing Instructor
Maine Rock Gym, Portland, ME 2005–’10
Anti-Gravity Center, Carrabassett, ME 2003–’04

ARTISTIC SKILLS

Adobe Creative Cloud:

InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator

Thorough understanding of printing and publication requirements

Layout and design

Excellent illustrative ability

Expertise in art mediums:

Acrylic

Watercolor

Pen & Ink

Scratchboard