JESSICA MONTALBANO
ART EDUCATOR
jkmontalbano@gmail.com PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
(708) 927-1967
Westchester, IL
Jkmontalbano.weebly.com
EDUCATION
Bachelors of Fine Arts
Art Education
Illinois Type-10 License K-12
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, IL
2009
Special Education LBS1 Approval
Roosevelt University
Schaumburg, IL
2014
SCHOOL
INVOLVEMENT
District Arts Curricula Author
Social Emotional Learning Teacher
& Committee Member
Chief Yearbook Editor
Founder/Director of the Art Club
Arts & Literacy Night Committee
Chair
Girls on the Run Coach
Dedicated visual art teacher who excels in cultivating and maintaining positive and
productive relationships with all educational constituencies including students,
parents, fellow educators, administrators and the community
Strong instructional leader for students with diverse background and educational
needs with solid foundation in the best practices for art education that applies forward
thinking teaching methods to enrich student understanding and appreciate of art
EXPERIENCE
K-8 Art Teacher
River Grove School, River Grove, IL / 2013 - Present
Developed a K-8 Visual Arts program by creating a curriculum aligned with National Core
Art Standards and incorporated STEAM based lessons
Manage, prepare and teach over 700 students weekly
Create a safe and engaging culture and setting for students with diverse
backgrounds
Prepare weekly lessons for all grade levels (K-8)
Produce monthly parent newsletter and art classroom blog
Display student artwork through the school all year round
Coordinate all school art show with Art & Literacy Night
Provide technology based art education
Prepare annual art budget and order all art classroom supplies
K-8 Art Teacher
St. Alexander School, Palos Heights, IL / 2011 2013
Designed an art program centered around the schools community, culture and values with
interdisciplinary connections
Implemented dynamic lessons designed to teach a rich variety of artistic
techniques appealing to multiple intelligences.
Created an entire school art show to help raise support and funds for the art
program.
Founded and instructed Art Club to the school community
Summer School Art Teacher
Willard Elementary, River Forest, IL 2010-2013, 2015, 2017
Taught a variety of unique courses including: Artist & Authors, Painting without Brushes I
& II, Art & Science, Bookmaking and Ceramics
Introduced new and exciting painting techniques with recyclable items as well as
creating homemade books and ceramic artworks
Projects integrated with science related curriculum
Incorporated Common Core reading
Maintained classroom management through fun, meaningful learning
Designed STEAM and Modern Artist courses for upcoming 2017 summer session
 JESSICA MONTALBANO
ART EDUCATOR

jkmontalbano@gmail.com EXPERIENCE continued

Substitute High School Teacher
(708) 927-1967 St Joseph High School, Westchester, IL / 2011
Conducted lesson plans in place for primary teacher

Westchester, IL Guided students through projects and class work

Excelled at transitioning into several different classroom settings and subject
matters
Jkmontalbano.weebly.com Applied excellent classroom management at a high school level

Matisse, Monet, and Me Art Teacher

Seton Montessori, Clarendon Hills, IL / 2010 - 2011
TECHNICAL & Taught various children from three years old to third grade in Montessori setting
SPECIAL SKILLS Introduced art history to children and encourages them to express themselves
Each class started by studying works of artists and techniques, followed by
Painting
projects inspired by those artists
Drawing Children were guided through projects to develop hand eye coordination and
foster the natural urge to explore
Ceramics

Photography Student Teaching Practicum

Oak Park River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL / 2009
Digital Design Designed and taught curriculum consistent with state standards, behavioral
Fiber Arts objectives and students needs at a high school level
Observed and taught several courses such as: art foundations, drawing, ceramics,
Art History
wheel throwing, jewelry, photography and graphic design
Windows and Mac OS
Student Teaching Practicum
Microsoft Office Lincoln Elementary, Willard Elementary, River Forest IL / 2009
Google Classroom Produced multicultural cross-curriculum unity in a variety medium such as clay,
paint, multi-media and drawing.
Prezi Online Presentation
Taught grades 1-4 in two different schools
Wordpress/Weebly Website Design Managed and displayed over 600 student artworks
Google Art Project Designed and painting mural in teachers lounge

Adobe Photoshop REFERENCES

Artsonia
Mr. Joseph Simpkins Mrs. Marta Kozbur Mrs. Julie Bradford
Superintendent District 85.5 District 90 Art Teacher Former District 90
W: 708-453-6172 W: 708-366-6740 Summer School Principal
H: 708-829-4430 H: 708-268-0648 Willard Elementary Teacher
EXTRA jsimpkins@rivergroveschool.org kozburm@district90.org bradfordj@district90.org

Visual Arts Instructor Mrs. Lisa Skelly Mrs. Pamela Hyde

Bottles and Bottega River Grove School Principal Former Lincoln Elementary Principal
LaGrange, IL W: 708-453-6172 H: 708-363-8903
2017 H: 708-203-8988 Prh928@ameritech.net
lskelly@rivergroveschool.org