Dawn Tesam
Leesville
Summary
Dynamic Music and Arts Teacher with a proven ability to enhance student engagement at Pickering Elementary School through adaptive teaching methods and fine arts expertise. Successfully led initiatives in multimedia integration and arts advocacy, resulting in improved curriculum implementation and student performance. Skilled in fostering collaboration and effective classroom management, which significantly enriches the overall learning environment. Encouraging professional with many years of experience. Adept at integrating culture and technology into productive classroom settings. Creative professional with background in Art, Drama, and Music teaching at the postsecondary level. Hold experience in nurturing student creativity, critical thinking, and performance skills through innovative curriculum development and effective teaching strategies. Possess strengths in fostering inclusive classroom environments that encourage diverse perspectives and collaboration. Influenced positive changes in students' artistic expression and academic achievements by implementing multidisciplinary approaches to learning. Creative Arts Teacher known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in curriculum development, classroom management, and innovative instructional techniques. Excel in communication, adaptability, and patience, enabling effective teaching and positive learning environments.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Music and the Arts Teacher
Pickering Elementary School
Leesville
07.2014 - Current
- Created tailored lesson plans aligned with curriculum objectives.
- Maintained alignment with nationwide and regional music benchmarks.
- Instructed students in various aspects of music theory, composition, and singing techniques.
- Organized and led musical presentations for local audiences.
- Led art classes focused on elementary-level grade five and six.
- Developed extracurricular activities for choir and drama groups.
- Organized annual field trips for students to perform on a local Christmas television program.
- Secured grants to enhance the school's music department with necessary instruments and resources.
- Managed music fund budgets and processed check requests through school bookkeeper.
- Completed Kagan training.
- Utilized Level 1 Google Classroom tools effectively.
- Led yearbook production.
- Managed students in assembling and designing the school's yearly professional yearbook.
- Executed comprehensive teaching responsibilities.
- Managed tasks associated with PBIS.
- Displayed students' work in schools, galleries and exhibitions to acknowledge creative pieces and boost student confidence.
- Enhanced learning through the use of suitable technological tools in teaching.
- Managed student behavior in classroom with appropriate behavior strategies.
- Prepared and delivered lectures to students on music fundamentals.
- Prompted student motivation, participation and listening skills through positive reinforcement and weekly recognition.
- Utilized technology and multimedia tools to enhance teaching and engage students.
- Developed interesting course plans to meet academic, intellectual and social needs of students.
- Established and enforced rules for behavior and procedures to maintain order in classroom.
- Fostered a culture of respect, creativity, and collaboration among students.
- Selected books, videos and other instructional materials related to visual arts education for use in classrooms.
- Instructed students on proper care and use of art tools and equipment.
- Modeled creative acting techniques and styles to encompass varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Created a safe learning environment that allows students to explore their own creative ideas without fear of criticism or judgement.
- Collaborated with parents to support students' artistic interests and academic progress.
- Assisted with the organization of school art exhibitions featuring student artwork.
- Presented and designed exciting lessons to actively engage learners.
Substitute Music Teacher
Anacoco High School
09.2013 - 04.2014
- Taught students in grades 7th - 12th
- Fine arts introductions, singing instruction, and preparation for three school concerts (Homecoming, Christmas and Spring)
- Assigned, taught, prepared and brought students to district solo and ensemble contests
- Taught students Honor Choir and All-State audition pieces and brought them to auditions
- Taught pertinent aspects of musical history and provided comprehensive notes and instruction for selected musicals
- Led discussions that developed higher order thinking and the profound implications of music in our culture and the world
Title-One Grade Recovery Tutor (RTI)
NFP Elementary School
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Served as a tutor Monday through Thursdays for first grade classes
- Taught Reading comprehension, phonics, spelling, addition, subtraction and additional skills to students who demonstrated a necessity for intervention
- Provided differentiated instruction and scaffolding to aid students in their learning from teachers in their classroom
- Targeted skills that students needed in order to succeed and progress towards their learning goals
Business Office Manager
Northwest Rural Home Health
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Trained incoming office personnel
- Trained other branches office personnel in billing
- Performed all typing, filing, managing phones, file clerks, and maintaining order in patient records
- Performed nursing note transcription, medical coding, billing, accounts receivable, insurance claims and transactions and typed all JCOA Certification manuals to be compliant with Medicare standards
- Worked closely with office administration
- Maintained and managed inventory
- Entered payroll data each pay period to the human resource department
Education
Master’s of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education Grades 1-5 -
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
05-2017
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches
12.2009
High School Diploma -
Leesville High School
05.1991
Skills
- Fine arts expertise
- Adaptive teaching
- Cross-curricular connections
- Artistic techniques
- Student engagement
- Collaborative teaching
- Project-based learning
- Arts advocacy
- Visual literacy
- Exhibition planning
- Music instruction
- Progress reporting
- Lesson planning
- Multimedia integration
- Group and individual instruction
- Arts integration
- Multimedia instruction
- Feedback delivery
- Collaborative projects
- Event planning
- Motivational
- Classroom management
- Student mentoring
- Course development
- Curriculum implementation
- Supply management
References
References upon request
Timeline
Music and the Arts Teacher
Pickering Elementary School
07.2014 - Current
Substitute Music Teacher
Anacoco High School
09.2013 - 04.2014
Title-One Grade Recovery Tutor (RTI)
NFP Elementary School
01.2010 - 01.2012
Business Office Manager
Northwest Rural Home Health
01.1997 - 01.1999
Master’s of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education Grades 1-5 -
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Bachelor of Science in Psychology -
Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches
High School Diploma -
Leesville High School