September 2012
Dear Principal,
My name is Cherie Blackwell. I am a K-12 NYC Department of Education licensed visual arts educator. Since obtaining my professional certification, I have successfully demonstrated both a facility and understanding of the Blue Prints for Teaching and Learning in the Arts as well as the Common Core Learning Standards. I have designed and implemented rigorous visual arts programming for elementary, middle and high school students. My curriculum planning and lesson implementation underscore the critical role that formative and summative assessment processes play in supporting student growth and development in the arts. My experience in designing and implementing age appropriate visual arts instruction across all grade levels makes me uniquely qualified to deliver rigorous arts instruction to your school community.
As a visual arts educator, I understand the critical importance of implementing an arts sequence that highlights clearly defined, age appropriate learning targets. My planning prioritizes the facilitation of critical conversations around student work and student work process as well as the development of an arts vocabulary. In this way, I support students across grade levels in thinking critically about both their art and their artistic process. In addition to providing fine arts instruction, I plan art history units of study to ensure that students develop a deep and lasting understanding of all visual references within a historical context. The projects in my curriculum are designed to encompass cross curriculum content to underscore the role that art has played in a variety of cultures throughout history and in the present day.
In my role as The Bronx Academy of Letters' arts liaison, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with parents, administrators and staff members on establishing arts programming (visual and performing) and in determining the role that the arts play within our school community and our larger South Bronx community. In this role I have developed solid communication and collaboration skills and have a proven track record of working well with school personnel including principals, teachers, paraprofessionals and office staff members.
In my teaching, I have made it a priority to establish partnerships with various New York City Arts organizations including the Museum of Modern Art. I have worked closely with museum educators to further students’ understanding of careers in the arts and have developed partnerships with various media arts professionals who have visited with Bronx Academy of Letters students to discuss career options. Additionally, I have a deep familiarity with both Mac and PC operating systems. I have used and continue to use technology as an integral part of my curriculum planning. I prioritize the integration of technology into my daily planning and have taught students across grade levels about the technological functions of digital cameras, video recording devices (to explore the art of photography and videography), and a wide variety of computer-based programs. I have experience training both students and adults to import recorded photographs and moving images to be edited with Adobe software such as Photoshop/Illustrator and Premier. Additionally, I have designed curriculum around student independent studies with a focus on Adobe Photoshop. I believe in the vital importance of providing students with opportunities to engage in a wide range of art making through the use of a wide range of technology. I understand the critical importance of preparing students for engagement in vast and quickly developing world.
I believe that I am a strong candidate for a position as a visual arts instructor and I look forward to building a strong and sustainable learning program at your school. My passion for arts education resides in my belief in the importance of delivering rigorous, standards-based arts programming that allows students the opportunity to explore their world in new and interesting ways on a daily basis.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Cherie Blackwell
Visual Arts Instructor
