Kaitlyn Birdsall-Thomas

(970)217-4647 ◈2532 Courtland Court, Fort Collins, CO ◈kaitlyn.birdsall@gmail.com

www.kaitlynbirdsall.weebly.com www.prairieschoolart.weebly.com
Education
Colorado State University  Post-Bachelor’s Art Education License, Spring
 B.F.A in Painting, Fall 2011 2014
 B.A. in Art History, Fall 2011 University of Northern Colorado
 M.A. in Literacy Education, Spring 2018
Skills and Certifications
 Licensed Art teacher with 4 years of experience  Collaborative team player with innovative ideas and a
teaching K-12 art willingness to be a leader
 K-12 Reading Teacher endorsement, expected 2018,  Interest in sponsoring clubs and programs that
with experience teaching 8th grade reading and encourages positive school culture
elementary reading interventions  Experience taking on diverse roles at school
 Familiar with Colorado Standards, Common Core  Professional artist comfortable teaching painting,
Standards and 21st century skills drawing, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, photography,
 Rated as Proficient on the Colorado Teaching Standards fibers, and digital painting
Teaching Experience
 Prairie School, August 2014- present, K-12 Art Teacher, 8th Grade Reading Teacher, Gifted and Talented
o Wrote and taught engaging, student-driven art curriculum that is aligned to Colorado State Standards, 21st
century skills, and Grade-Level Expectations; ordered and prepared supplies and lesson material; graded
Student work utilizing a Standard’s based rubric; encouraged student connection to other classes and skill-sets
through STEAM projects, student online portfolios with written reflections, and collaborative art lessons.
o Adapted Teaching Style and classroom management for the needs of the class, as demonstrated by teaching
Kindergarten through Fifth grade once per week, teaching 6th through 10th grade daily for one semester, and
teaching Advanced Art year-round.
o 8th grade reading teacher- created an entirely new curriculum utilizing literacy circles that aligned to standards
while also providing more authentic reading and discussion opportunities; collaborated with English teacher and
elementary teachers to create a more cohesive literacy program
o One-on-one reading intervention for first grade students and after-school reading and writing tutoring for 8th
grade students voluntarily
o Freshman Orientation instructor- created engaging curriculum that went beyond previous curriculum to
incorporate multiple life skills units with a focus on leaving a positive impact on school community.
o Gifted and Talented Middle School Instructor- mentored students through independent enrichment projects,
held students accountable to student created goals, encouraged growth mindset and active questioning through
book studies, and created game-based learning projects.
o Junior and Freshman Class Sponsor- managing students during prom planning, preparing, and the event;
supervising students and tracking class fundraising and concessions; managing class meetings
o Professional Development Leader- collaborated to teach several PD sessions
o Developed all school disciplinary plan based on restorative justice with a collaborative team
o Utilized a variety of technology to communicate to parents and students via Google Classroom, the Class Dojo
App, my website (www.prairieschoolart.weebly.com), emails, and Infinite Campus
o Lead multiple school culture building activities including organizing Pep rallies, inviting and organizing guest
speakers, creating mental health activities during mental health day, creating positive growth mindset posters
for the school, organizing art activities during school events, etc.
Student Teaching Experience
 Rocky Mountain High School, March 2014 – May 2014, Student Teacher
o Collaborated to create a curriculum for 2D design, painting, and advanced painting
o Taught 2 unit projects for 2D art and Advanced Painting
 o Assessed and graded all lessons taught using Synergy
o Led student reflective activities that demonstrated growth and use of technology using a digital portfolio called
BULB ( website: https://www.bulbapp.com/kbirdsall)
o Helped with management and display of district wide art show
 Truscott Elementary and Sarah Milner Elementary, January 2014-March 2014, Student Teacher
o Collaborated to create a curriculum for two Title I elementary schools for over 600 students
o prepared materials, designed and created lesson plans, and taught all lessons for K-5
o Attended a Teaching for Artistic Abilities (Choice-based art) conference and immediately implemented learning
in the kindergarten classroom
o Demonstrated excellent classroom management skills while dealing with disruptive behavior
o Displayed artwork in the school, helped prepare for a district wide show, and selected artwork for shows
o Used multiple reflective strategies to demonstrate student growth including video interviews, group activities
and written reflection.
All lessons at each level included:
 Alignment of goals and objectives to state visual art standards, PGCs and GLEs.
 Pre- and Post- assessment strategies demonstrated student growth and reflective strategies allowed
students to self-assess.
 Inclusion of literacy, numeracy, and technology as well as other 21st century skills
 Standards-based grading using a rubric
 Instructional accommodation for students with diverse learning needs
Other Teaching Experience
Rocky Mountain High School, EDUC 450 August 2013-December 2013 Mentor Teacher: Laura Crohnen
 Co-taught 2D design and Jewelry, teaching one full lesson on color theory and a week-long project about resin
casting, wire wrapping, and paper bead making (documentation: http://csujewelry.weebly.com/index.html)
LAB elementary school, EDUC 466/ART 326 August 2013-December 2013 Supervisor: Patrick Fahey
 Created and taught curriculum for 4th and 5th graders by developing lesson plans on transforming recycled
mechanical objects into sculptural “steampunk” creatures
 Taught students collage, basic tool skills, working collaboratively, technical drawing skills, and deconstructing
real objects and images;
 Prepared and exhibited student work in a school wide art show.
Boltz Middle School, EDUC 450 August 2013- December 2013
 AVID tutor for a group of four to six low income students aiming for college
High Tech Early College, Americorps: City Year, July 2012 –June 2013 Supervisor: Lauren Anderson
 Literacy Coordinator, Donations Coordinator, City Year Corps member- service volunteer year involved working
in a high risk high school in Denver as a mentor and tutor.
 Organized a literacy program, arranged reading circles based on reading scores, developed curriculum and
lesson plans, and taught small literacy intervention classes during school.
 Worked specifically with 7 students to track behavioral and reading data with all students improving reading
level and decreasing in behavior issues.
 Coordinated school wide literacy event that involved delegating team members and student volunteers,
collection donations of food, prizes, and books for every student, and holding a writing contest.
 Led small group and large group PLCs on literacy circles, differentiation, and gender equality
 Created an after school arts program with the first semester focused on basic drawing skills and the second
semester focused on a collaborative mural project.
References

Dr. Patrick Fahey Missy Wolf Allison Gooderum

University Supervisor Secondary Mentor Teacher Science Teacher, Prairie School
Patrick.fahey@colostate.edu mwolf@psdschools.org ahanlin@prairieschool.org
(970)491-6710 (970)227-3470 (970)290-7897