Andy Matthews

PreK-12 Art Educator and Visual Artist

614-284-1968

andymatthews.art@gmail.com // www.andy-matthews.net

PROFILE

Passionate. Empathetic. Fun! I am a PreK-12 educator committed to creating a safe and positive classroom environment in which students can learn and explore. I combine extensive art knowledge with contemporary interests, pop culture, and tools to create a fun and engaging space in which students feel encouraged to incorporate their interests and identities into their art.

EDUCATION

• MAT in PreK-12 Art Education, 2024 — Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD

  • Maryland Certification in PreK-12 Art Education

• BFA in Art and Design, 2023 — Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD

  • Dual focus in Illustration and Sculpture

  • Minor in Art History

• AA in Visual Art, 2020 — Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, MD

AWARDS

• MSDE Teacher of Promise, 2024

  • Representing Frostburg State University

RELEVANT TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Magnet Graphic Arts and Foundations of Technology Teacher, Western Heights Middle School for WCPS, Hagerstown, MD — 2024 to Current

  • I design and implement dynamic lessons for magnet-level Graphic Arts and high school Foundations of Technology courses, focusing on advanced creative design, engineering principles, and technological literacy. I teach students to use a variety of art-creation software and tools to create professional-level projects, such as logo designs, marketing campaigns, and graphic compositions. I guide students through the engineering design process, incorporating brainstorming, prototyping, and testing into hands-on structural and technological projects. I foster collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a diverse classroom environment, inspiring excellence in both magnet and general education students.

• Art Teacher, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, MD — 2023 to Current

  • I develop curriculum and provide art-based instruction to middle and high school aged students in exploration based art classes. Students experiment with and create artworks through a variety of materials and study various historical artworks and art movements.

• Student-Teacher, Middletown Middle School, Middletown, MD — 01/2024 to 05/2024

  • Designed and implemented an interdisciplinary art curriculum with dynamic lesson plans by utilizing a variety of teaching methods including lecture, hands-on activities, and multimedia materials to engage students with historical and contemporary art.

• Student-Teacher, Williamsport Elementary, Hagerstown, MD — 08/2023 to 11/2023

  • Designed and implemented developmentally appropriate art lessons for grades PreK-5 with a focus on exploration and self- expression using a variety of storytelling, art history, and multicultural perspectives to engage students in art.

• Teaching Assistant, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD — 08/2022 to 12/2022

  • Mentored freshman students in a university-specific orientation class. Supported and guided students in navigating freshman year academic requirements and campus life.

• Art Lab Aide, Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, MD — 01/2020 to 05/2020

  • Directly supervised and provided art-based instruction to students in usage of lab tools and artistic processes. Additionally was responsible for keeping art labs and storage facilities clean, organized, and secured.