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Education

19951998

Master of Arts, Dance Movement Therapy and Counseling

Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Thesis: Dance Movement Therapy in Higher Education: A Case Study                                                     

University Experience

2002

Guest Instructor of Dance

The University of Louisiana-Lafayette
  • Created and implemented a unique class concept combining dance/movement therapy and yoga.

  • Demonstrated expert knowledge of dance techniques by teaching introductory to advanced classes, receiving an average rating of 4.8/5 from students on class evaluations.
  • Developed customized lessons for diverse skill levels, adapting the curriculum to meet individual needs.
19951998

Graduate Assistant, Student Life and Development

Columbia College-Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
  • Coordinated logistics and executed over 20 successful on-campus events, including club fairs and charity drives, resulting in increased student participation.
  • Collaborated with the Assistant Dean of Students to create tailored student life events.

K-12 Teaching Experience

2023Present

Transition Specialist

Hyde Park Day School- Chicago

I work with neurodiverse learners, diagnosed with dyslexia and other health impairments, to ensure their needs are met during the transition process to other schools. My position entails the following:

  • Manage Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with Chicago Public Schools and suburban districts for transitioning students, ensuring successful transitions.
  • Moderate transition panels with parents and students, fostering collaborative planning.
  • Facilitate engaging transition groups with movement-based activities for high school readiness.
  • Provide comprehensive support for graduation planning and high school applications, fostering partnerships and optimizing success.
20212022

Chef Instructor

Common Threads-Chicago
  • Taught essential nutrition education principles and healthy cooking techniques to over 50 young people and their families.
  • Collaborated with Northwestern Hospital's integrative medicine program to teach cooking techniques to resident physicians.
  • Developed unique recipes for the Cooking for Health program at LSU Medical School Shreveport and featured chef for the Family Meals Movement campaign.
20142019

Founder/Home Educator

Ra's Sun School
  • Implemented a phonics-based reading program, resulting in an increase in reading acquisition within 8 weeks, as evidenced by pre- and post-program observations.
  • Utilized specialized multisensory interventions to improve penmanship legibility by 50% over the course of 12 weeks for student with dyslexia.
  • Successfully collaborated with school district during IEP meetings to secure a 10-15% increase in weekly reading and math minutes for students with learning differences.
2014

Education Coordinator and Teaching Artist

River North Dance Chicago
  • Developed and constructed custom assessment tools to measure student progress throughout 16-week educational program.
  • Championed the design and implementation of movement-based classes for at-risk youth to improve peer-to-peer relationships.
20032013

Freelance Dance Educator

Germaine Gordon Dance

Collaborated with local arts councils and agencies throughout South Louisiana, providing choreography for youth events such as Martin Luther King Day and local arts festivals.  Also:

  • Coordinated and directed annual dance workshops and technique classes in low-income communities, with a 20-40% increase in participants each year.
  • Collaborated with a local organization to produce dance concerts highlighting the talents of underrepresented youth, generating over $2,500 in community donations.
20012002

Middle School Dance Educator

Community School for Apprenticeship Learning- Baton Rouge, La.
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive dance program integrated into the school's core curriculum, increasing student engagement and creativity.
  •  Produced successful school-wide dance performances featuring over 40 students and generating positive feedback from parents, faculty, and the local community. 
  • Founded a youth dance company with nine members, providing mentorship and training opportunities.

Continuing Education

Summer2023

Functional Awareness: Mindfulness Practices in Embodied Anatomy for the Dance Educator

National Dance Education Organization

A practical somatic approach to embodied anatomy through reflective practice to enhance understanding of movement function, facilitate ease in body action, and improve success in body action.

2019

Multisensory Structured Language Instruction Course

Gordon College, Wenham Massachusetts

Introduction to the Wilson Reading System, a structured literacy program based on phonological-coding research and Orton-Gillingham principles, 

2018

Multisensory Math I & Multisensory Math II

Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center, Rockville, Maryland

Based on the Orton-Gillingham philosophy of teaching, Multisensory Mathematics applies the research-based Concrete-Representation-Abstract (CRA) approach to teaching mathematics as advocated by the National Math Panel and the NCTM. Attended refresher course in the summer of 2024.

Summer1995

Dancer Specific Pilates Training Summer Intensive

Western Michigan University

Participated in anatomy and physiology for dancers, dance technique classes, and dancer specific training on the pilates reformer machine.

Presentations

Panelist (2024). “ Navigating the Journey, Insights from Parents of Students with Specific Learning Disabilities Caregiver’s Panel”  Illinois SLD Support Project Annual Conference, Effingham, Illinois.

Panelist (2024). Moving the Needle, A Literacy Advocacy Gathering, Chicago, Illinois.

Willson, P., Saunders, N., Gordon, G. (2022). "Neurodivergent Projects for Design Students." Institute for Theatre Technology Conference, Baltimore, Maryland.

Guest Speaker (2017). "Overcoming Dyslexia: What it Takes to Succeed." Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, Washington D.C. event.

Panelist  (2010) "Movement (R)evolution Africa"- Panel Discussion. American Dance Therapy Association Conference, Brooklyn, New York.

Gordon, G. (2001) "Movement Theory for Dance Composition." International Association for Blacks in Dance Conference, San Diego, California

Grants

State of Louisiana, Cultural Economy Grant (2008). Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation. Awarded $2,500 grant to develop and implement a dance training method to work with youth through the arts.

University/Professional Membership

Sigma Alpha Pi- National Society of Leadership and Success (Former E Board  Member)

Psi Chi- Psychology Honor Society

Redwood Literacy/Day School Advisory Board- Chicago Illinois (Former Board Member)

Louisiana Alliance for Dance- Former Vice President

Licenses/Registrations/Certifications

Licensed Substitute Teacher- State of Illinois #2493868

Registered Dance/Movement Therapist- R-DMT1665

Certified Professional Health Coach #111159407- Institute for Integrative Nutrition, New York, New York  (2013)

Natural Chef Certificate-School of Natural Cookery, Boulder, Colorado (2008)