Veronica Perez
Alexandria, VA 22306 | 7039448001 | [email protected]

Summary

Dynamic art educator with a dual license in art education and Spanish PreK-12, skilled in visual arts instruction and classroom management. At Arlington Public Schools, I enhanced student engagement through innovative art shows and inclusive teaching practices, fostering creativity and collaboration among diverse learners. Bilingual proficiency enriches my approach to education.

Skills

• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish and English)              
• Student engagement strategies     
• Lesson planning and assessment                                   
• Art show coordination
• Technology integration  
• Field trip organization
• Classroom management        
• Team collaboration
• Inclusive teaching practices     
• Individualized support
• Cross-curricular activities

Experience

08/2001 - Current                                
Art Teacher
Arlington County Public Schools - Arlington, Virginia

• Enhanced student appreciation and understanding of visual arts through creative instruction.
• Planned and executed art shows to showcase student work in the school and the community.
• Assessed and evaluated approximately 350 students to identify learning progress.
• Developed inclusive strategies for diverse learners within art projects.
• Integrated technology into instruction to enrich educational experiences.
• Coordinated field trips to museums and galleries, deepening art history knowledge.
• Collaborated with teachers to incorporate art across various subjects.
• Fostered a positive classroom environment to support student engagement.

08/1999 - 07/2001
High School Spanish Teacher
Foundation School of Montgomery County - Rockville, MD

• I taught in self-contained classrooms for students with significant emotional and behavioral challenges and a range of learning differences.
• Incorporated visual arts into language learning activities to engage students from challenging backgrounds.
• Assisted in creating an environment conducive to positive learning experiences for all students.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive Spanish curriculum for grades 9–12.
• Organized cultural events and activities to enhance students' understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures.

 
08/1998 - 05/1999
Student Teacher
Ramon E. Rodriguez Middle School - Hormigueros, Puerto Rico

• Delivered art classes to seventh and eighth graders, fostering creativity and skill development.
• Designed age-appropriate lesson plans that engaged students effectively.
• Established and enforced behavioral rules and procedures for maintaining order in classes of 25 students.

Education and Training

2018          CETA Certification: Arts Integration
                   John F. Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts - Washington, DC

2016          Master Herbalist: Natural Medicine
                   Washington Institute of Natural Medicine - Washington, DC

2009         Master of Arts: Studio Arts
                   Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA

2003.        Master of Arts: Spanish/Bilingual/Multicultural Education
                   George Mason University - Fairfax, VA

1999         Bachelor of Arts: Secondary Visual Arts Education
                   Universidad Interamericana - San German, Puerto Rico

Accomplishments

• 2022 APS All-Star Award. Recognized for making a difference in teaching and for contributing to creating an inclusive, supportive learning community that empowers all students.
• 2021-22 APS Teacher of the Year Nominee. Recognized for going above and beyond to help support students and colleagues at Arlington Traditional School.
• 2016 White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics Honoree. Recognized for making significant contributions to improving educational outcomes for Hispanic students.
• 2016 40 Under 40 Honoree. Recognized for being an inspirational teacher and a distinguished young leader in the field of education.
• 2015 Victoria D. De Sanchez, Northern Virginia Hispanic Teacher of the Year. Recognized for outstanding achievement in education and on improving the lives of Hispanic children and their communities through education.
• 2014-2018 Partnered with the Migratory Bird Center at the National Zoo on the cross-cultural environmental education program "Bridging the Americas/Unidos por las Aves" Project.
• 2012-2013 Partnered with the Arlington Arts Center on the project "This is My City/This is My Community." Taught digital photography to fourth graders for five weeks at ATS in Arlington, VA and then spent two weeks in rural eastern Uganda teaching Primary 5 students at the Arlington Academy of Hope how to take pictures of ordinary events. This project culminated with an exhibit and artist reception on both countries.
• 2003-2004 Conducted a collaborative project with the National Museum of Women in the Arts, researching to prove the effectiveness of the bookmaking process in expanding creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills in students.
• 2001-2004 Worked with the District Architecture Center (DAC) bringing professional architects into the art room with their Architecture in the Schools (AIS) program. During the eight-week program, students learned about architecture, math and STEM while having the opportunity to collaborate with others. At the end of the program, the students created and showcased a collaborative architectural project and had a reception at a Northern VA/Washington DC venue.

Certifications

• Dual Postgraduate Professional License in Spanish PreK-12 and Visual Arts PreK-12

Languages

• Fully Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Activities

• Mentor of experience teachers

• Avid traveler
• Teaching abroad
• Girl Scouts volunteer
• Painting and Photography
• Community Artist

Gallery venues

Epicure Cafe
11104 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030

Del Ray Artisans Gallery
2704 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

Convergence Baptist Church
Alexandria Singers Christmas Concert Backdrop
1801 N Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA 22302

Cassatt's Cafe
4536 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA

Curves
240 W Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046

LEIDOS
4100 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203

Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (MOCA)
3550 Wilson Blvd Arlington VA 22201

St. Elmo's Coffee Pub
2300 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301

Artbot Gallery
10405 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030

Comfort One Shoes
201 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Artomatic
Half Street’s 55 M Street, S.E., Washington, D.C.

Ellipse Arts Center
Arlington, Virginia

Universidad Interamericana
San German, P.R.
Student and Faculty Art Show.