Leslie Matiacio - Portfolio

Leslie Floyd Matiacio“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and

knowledge” ~Albert Einstein

My Philosophy of Art Education• I remember falling in love with art as a child.  Because of my father’s career, we lived in Italy and my

mother took my sisters and me to every museum, church, theatre, and place of culture we could travel to.  I thought the Renaissance artists that I was exposed to were magicians.  My mother enrolled me in oil painting classes when I was nine.  I still have my first painting.  In college I majored in Art Education and then began my career as an art educator.

• I believe that I can help young people create meaningful relationships with themselves, their peers, and with adults by developing age-appropriate standards, principles, and expectations for success. Flip Flippen, the founder of Capturing Kids Hearts, sums it up in this way, “If you have a child’s heart, you have his head”.  As an art educator, I want to be the person who can instill a passion for art and learning to young people as my parents and mentors did for me.  I strive to build trust with my students so that they will feel secure enough to learn.  My role in the classroom is to act as a guide, providing access and exposure to the arts and allowing students the opportunity for discovery.

• In the classroom, I provide students access to hands-on activities and materials that reinforce learning and create an opportunity for individual discovery and construction of knowledge to occur.  Students have the chance for self-discovery, and to study things that are meaningful and relevant to their own

lives and interests. 

Resume• PROFILE

• Professional Middle School Art Teacher with over 8 years of experience. Enthusiasm, patience, and commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. Excellent communication skills in classroom, as well as with parents, colleagues, and local community. Strong knowledge of the theory and techniques utilized in visual arts media. Excellent understanding of principles of curriculum

design and teaching methodology for individuals and groups.

CERTIFICATION/EDUCATION

• Art – All Levels, Texas Lifetime Certification

• Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities, Passed

• Bachelor of Science in Education

• Texas State University San Marcos, Texas1989

TEACHING EXPERIENCE• Art Teacher• Pflugerville I. S. D. Pflugerville Texas 1992 - 1995 and 2005 -

2008• Fort Bend I. S. D. Sugarland, Texas 1990 - 1992

• Taught art to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Promoted learning, creativity, self-expression and art appreciation to middle school students using a variety of art forms and media.

• Arranged exhibitions of student work in and out of school. • Co-chaired Chairs for Charity fund-raising program for hurricane victims in

2008. • Taught additional elective classes in student success and study skills, as well as

other courses.• Created lesson plans, taught 2 – 3 lessons per day and maintained electronic

grade book.• Fort Bend Excellence in Education Award, 1992

ADDITIONAL WORK HISTORYPROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• Creative Services Project Coordinator, American Heart Association, Dallas, Texas, 1998 - 2000

• Assistant Manager, The Contact Lens Center, Dallas, Texas, 1996 - 1998

• Texas Art Education Association (TAEA), member

• National Art Education Association (NAEA), member

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Student Gallery

Grades 6, 7, and 8

Student artwork examples

Chairs for Charity

Notan Papercuts

Line

Cave Art

Mayan Profile

Egyptian Tomb

Cubist Portraits

Matisse Papercuts

3-D Projects

Tessellations

Portraits

Theater Design• Alice in Wonderland

2007

Contact• Leslie.Matiacio@gmail.com

• http://lesliematiaciostudio.blogspot.com/

• (210) 273-5880 (cell)