Rebecca Leslie

 Chicago, IL 60647  E-Mail: rleslie28@gmail.com  Website: http://beccaleslie.weebly.com 

Education and Licensure

Illinois State University 2010-2015
Bachelors of Science, Art Education  Bachelors of Art, Ceramic Studio Art  Minor, Art History
Professional Educator License: Special K-12 Visual Arts

Art Education Experience

Visual Arts Teacher: McAuliffe Elementary School, Tinley Park 2016- Present
• Grades K-5
• Developed choice based art units aligned with district curriculum, Illinois Arts Learning Standards,
National Visual Arts standards, Common Core standards, Next Generation Science standards.
• Cross-curricular integration: including math, science, technology, reading, and writing into creating art
projects.
• Extra Curricular Activities: Fibers Art Club: project based learning to create a school fiber installation
“Be Your Selfie.” Mosaic Art Club: project based learning to create mosaics on cinder blocks with
hands on learning. Garden Club: project based learning to create a sensory garden. Students collected
and compiled growth data, hands on learning. Ballroom Dancing: instruction and performance of
classic ballroom dances with contemporary music to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students.
• Family and Community Involvement: designed and coordinated school STEAM night, facilitated
student creation of school garden, volunteer for PTO events.

Visual Arts Teacher: Wilson Elementary, Cicero 2015- 2016

• Grades 1-6
• Developed units aligned with district curriculum, Illinois State Standards, National Visual Arts
standards, and Common Core standards.
• CICD99 Microsoft Educator, SMART Certified Educator, anticipated Level 1 Google Educator
• Cross-curricular integration: including math, science, technology, reading, and writing into creating art
projects.
• Extra Curricular Activities: After School Creative Extensions: ACE gifted art enrichment with focus
on problem and inquiry based learning, and Book Club: small group instruction focused on reading
and analyzing informational texts.
• Family and Community Involvement: coordinated annual holiday celebration highlighting art and
music, on Veteran’s Day committee honoring veterans in the community and teaching students about
the importance of the U.S. services, Fine Arts Festival participation.

Student Teaching: Farragut Career Academy, Chicago Spring 2015

• Grades 9-12, Multimedia I: MYP International Baccalaureate aligned curricula.
• Grades 9-12, Topics in World Art: Connecting art traditions from around the world with students’
culture and heritage.
• Differentiated instruction for diverse learners including students with special needs and English
Language Learners.
• Implementation of Gradual Release of Responsibility (Frye, 2008) through use of technology such as
iPads and document camera.

Student Teaching: Joseph E. Gary Elementary School, Chicago Spring 2015

• Grades 3-8
• Developed units aligned with National Visual Arts Standards, and Common Core ELA Standards.
• Cross-curricular integration including: reading, writing, speaking, and scientific processes.
• Extra curricular activities including: Art Night, Mural Mosaic Club

Children’s Discovery Museum, Normal, IL: Art Studio Coordinator August, 2013 –
December, 2014
• Redesigned art exhibits to model Teaching for Artistic Behavior, facilitating choice based arts
education.
• Managed art studio budget, ordered supplies and materials, maintained exhibit space.
• Managed student volunteer program, networking within the university and community.
• Engaged with children and families to encourage learning through play by exploration of exhibits.

Saturday Arts Experience, Normal, IL: Instructor Fall 2013

• Guided 3rd grade exploration of Inuit culture through interrelating drama, creative writing, and visual
art.
• Guided Kindergarten exploration of multi-sensory visual art lessons inspired by children’s literature.

Boys & Girls Club, Bloomington-Normal, Teen Club Mural Co-Leader Spring 2013
• Organized mural project designed to bring together all teens in the neighborhood after school and on
weekends.
• Wrote and secured Positive Community Engagement Grant from Illinois State University to fund
project.

Professional Affiliations
National Art Education Association: Vice President of Student Chapter 2013-2014
Illinois Art Education Association: Member; Attended conference: Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014, Fall
2016, Fall 2017
Illinois State University, Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline: Professional Development Series, Spring
2015
Epsilon Sigma Alpha: Service Sorority

Honors
Dean’s List, Illinois State University, 2014-2015

Skills
Technology
• Cicero 99 MCE certified

2
 • SMART certified
• Google Level 1 Educator
• iPad and Mac technology

Proficient in art technology:

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
• Corel Painter
• Freeware of Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter

Proficient in clay materials and processes:

• Operate electric and gas kilns
• Reclaim clay
• Mix clay, glazes, under glazes, slips
• Wheel throwing, hand building, mold making
• Safe and proper management of chemicals and hazardous materials