Karen M. Bell
kbella62@gmail.com
Phone:240-994-7689
Karenbellartist.com
Mission Statement
 My goal is to be a quality art educator who
nurtures creativity through richly designed,
multicultural lesson plans that integrate art
production, art history, art criticism, and
aesthetics.
 My goal is to be sensitive to diverse learners and
to balance learner-centered and subject-centered
approaches.
 My belief is that art is essential to the development
of problem-solving skills and to divergent thinking.
Mission Statement (2)
 I value the importance of being a reflective
practitioner in order to maintain not just
competence, but best practice.
 I promote literacy by incorporation of reading and
writing into art lessons through art statements.
 I strive to engage students in critical dialogue
about art through class critiques
Philosophy of Education
 Multi-dimensional framework that explores culture as
a framework for teaching
 Situated within the cultural/historical matrices of
diverse peoples -- NOT centric
 Concerned about social justice and education
inequity
 Provides specific approaches to doing “culturally
relevant teaching”
 Promotes understanding across cultures
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Work Experience
Working Artist-- See website:
Karenbellartist.com for commissioning
murals and portraits
 Artist/Art Instructor: Insight Art Studio and
Gallery Olney, Md.; July 2012 to July 2014
I taught private art lessons in the studio as well
as created and sold original art.
Formal Teaching Experience
Art Teacher, Montgomery County Public Schools, 20052012: Schools listed below
Clarksburg High School, 2008- 2012;
Taught Foundations of Art Studio, Foundations of Art, Drawing and
Design, Studio Art I/II, AP/ Portfolio, Digital Art and Photo 1.
Sponsor of art club/art show, 2008-2012.
Painted large mural to decorate school hall
Rock Terrace School, 2007-2008;
Taught art for special needs students
Sponsored art club
Organized art show
Painted murals for Christmas Play and for Prom
Summit Hall Elementary School, Brookhaven Elementary School,
Takoma Park Elementary School (four allocations 2007-08)
Organized art shows
Formal Teaching Experience (2)
Winston Churchill High School, 2006-2007;
Taught Beginning Ceramics
Organized art show
Montgomery Blair High School, 2005-2006;
Taught Fundamentals of Art and two Drawing and Design classes
Coached Junior Varsity girls’ basketball team
Sponsor of the National Art Honor Society
Sponsor of art club
University of Maryland, College Park; 1989
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Women’s Studies Department
•Prepared teaching materials and taught three course sections
entitled “Women, Art, and Culture”
Education
 Master of Education/Certification in Art (K - 12);
University of Maryland, College Park, MD; June 2005.
GPA: 3.3
 Master of Arts; Liberal Education and Philosophy; St.
John’s College, Annapolis, MD; The Great Books
Program, May 1993; Translated Cumulative GPA: 3.0.
 Bachelor of Arts; Studio Art and Art History - University of
Maryland, College Park, MD; December 1987;
Cumulative GPA: 3.1.
 Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington, DC; 1980
Continuing Education/Certification
 Darkroom Photography 1, three credits from University
of Maryland, College Park, June 2009.
 Continuing Education for Professional Development;
“Skillful Teacher”; three graduate credits from Fritchburg
College, 2008.
 Certification in Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum
Disorders; three graduate credits from Trinity College;
fall 2007.
 Certificate in Women’s Studies; University of Maryland,
College Park; June 1986.
 CPR/First Aid Certified - Current
Computer Skills
Microsoft Word: Create and edit documents
Excel: Create and edit spreadsheets
Power Point: Create and edit basic presentations
Photoshop: Import and edit visual images
Alter colors, background, manipulate effects, such as airbrush
Crop, rotate, resize, apply layered images
Outlook: Communicate with others
Send/accept invitations to meetings
Maintain list of contacts
Maintain calendar and (where appropriate) share it with others
Other Skills and Assets
Conversational in Spanish, French, and Hindi
Sponsoring art club
Art displays: displaying student art work throughout
school
Art shows
Assisting students with college art portfolios (electronic)
and college applications
Other Skills and Assets (2)
 Well traveled (Europe, South America, India) and familiar
with a variety of cultures
 Membership in PTA
 Involvement in school activities such as fundraisers,
International Night, sport events, and theater productions
 Coaching sports (basketball and softball)
Backup Charts
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NAEA Standards
I incorporate the National Art Education Association
(NAEA) Standards into my lesson plans.
Classroom Expectations
 Show respect for self and others at all times
 Use manners
 Do not distract others
 Don’t interrupt.
Be Creative!
 Clean up after yourself
 Ask to be excused during class
 Respect each others’ work/practice constructive
criticism
 Share common materials
 Stay on task; do not wander around
 Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
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Philosophy of Education
Ethics of Teaching
 Never discriminate against any student. Fairness and
equity should be applied in all cases.
 Care about students as whole human beings
 Grade on measurable criteria
 Promote democratic principles
 Empower students and build self esteem
 Be prepared and organized
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Philosophy of Education
Ethics of Teaching (2)
Do not be a hypocrite, be authentic
Be open to listening; hear all voices
Always strive for continuous improvement
 Never use your position as a teacher to advance a
personal agenda
 “Never give fish, instead teach fishing”
 Communicate clearly
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Philosophy of Education
Ethics of Teaching (3)
Maintain high expectations; stimulate motivation
 Maintain a safe environment
 Practice honesty, integrity, and loyalty
 Be constantly aware that you are a role model, students
are always watching
Honor student privacy
 Be a reflective practitioner
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Personal
Artwork
View at :
karenbellartist.com
Examples of Elementary School Lesson Plans:
My Little Book of Prints
Second Grade Lesson Plan: Personal
Quilted Stories
L
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n
P
l
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Third Grade Lesson Plan:
Kandinsky and Mood Abstractions
Working with my Elementary
School Students
Ceramics Lesson:
Native American Coil Pots (Rubric)
Native American
Coil Pots
Student Work
Found Object
Sculpture
Student Work
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Example of a
Grading
Worksheet
Art Show
Poster
Clarksburg H.S.
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Formative Worksheets
Example of
Art Club Sign
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Example of
Syllabus for
AP Art/ Portfolio
Painting
Student Work
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Drawing
Student Work
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Working with high school
students
Gargoyle
Planters
Student Work
Elementary School
Ceramic Relief Sculpture
Student Work
Identity Tiles
Lesson & Rubric
Identity Tiles - Student Work
Students working on their Identity Tiles
Art Show
Art Show
Qo Art show
Quince Orchard High School
Qo art show
“Art is experience” -- John Dewey
Field Trip to Christo’s The Gates
Central Park, New York City, February 2005