Patricia Botts

Patricia's formal education began at Winthrop University with earning a BFA in Interior Design (2003). Her years of rendering and design services for architectural firms in the Charlotte banking industry prepared her with a wide range of skill sets. The highly structured day-to-day environment with project management and a cultivated use of tools, both by hand and in computer-aided drafting, all contributed to the strong foundation Patricia draws from in her quest for precision in the quality of her design and fine arts work.

After becoming a mother to three children, the daily demands of commuting to Charlotte, while simultaneously becoming more involved in the artistic endeavors of her children’s church preschool community, led her to consider a new career in art education as the logical next step. After earning her MAT in Art Education in 2011, she taught art at several schools, including Fallston Elementary (her childhood school), East Gaston High School, and Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Middle School. During her time at TJCA, she developed a cross-curricular program for the arts. The aim of this program, which is now a model in the charter school system, is to connect artists, works of art, and art historical movements to better understand current events in the broader context.

Patricia’s newest pursuit of an MFA came about once her children were grown. The master's program in fine arts has challenged her to work in a way that emphasizes discovery, both in developing imagery and concept. Expressing her vision outside the box in this way, Patricia’s work has evolved to become more emotionally driven and physical in an intuitive way. She now believes that free expression in contemporary art becomes an opportunity for us to engage in meaningful and purposeful conversations. 

Art (K-12)

College of Visual & Performing Arts, Interior Design

Headmaster Joe Maimone, Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

"To Whom It May Concern: I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Mrs. Patricia Botts.

In her time with us, she developed a great rapport with 7th and 8th grade students, and helped them to apply art skills to core knowledge concepts they were learning in other classes. She was reliable in her duties, and often contributed to art work for tables and displays at local fairs and festivals.

I believe Mrs. Botts will do an excellent job for your school."

Sincerely,

Joe Maimone

"I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Patricia Botts for a position teaching art, K12. Patricia recently completed her Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) degree in art education at Winthrop University, where she did very well in all her classes and had highly successful student teaching experiences at both the high school and elementary levels.

As you will see from her resumé, Patricia came to teaching with an unusually strong background, including many years as a professional interior designer, along with training in a range of fine arts media and work in schools as a teacher’s aid (while pursuing art education). Patricia also brings to teaching her experience as a parent and family provider.

Her experience and maturity was evident during Patricia’s student teaching where she demonstrated a high degree of confidence in classroom management, as well as a very professional demeanor.

At the same time, Patricia also demonstrated a youthful eagerness to learn and explore new possibilities, which she then applied to develop creative, challenging lessons appropriate to the developmental needs and interests of her students. While these qualities might be expected of any art teacher, there are two areas where Patricia particularly stands out: her understanding of the design field as a branch of art education that applies directly to career preparation, and her concern to connect learning in art to other subject matter and to life in general. Based on her experience and attributes, I am confident that Patricia Botts will prove to be an excellent art teacher and a valued colleague in any school fortunate enough to hire her. I therefore recommend her on the highest terms and without reservations."

"I recommend Mrs. Botts wholeheartedly for working with children in any respect. She worked with our first graders for two years, and did a wonderful job. She was nurturing and enthusiastic. She was very dependable to do whatever she was asked to do, whether in the classroom or with an extra duty."

"Please know that I have no reservation whatsoever in her capabilities to work with any children of any age. Anyone would be fortunate to have her. "

"I had the pleasure of having Patricia Botts as my field experience student teacher in the fall of 2010. She was a pleasure to have in my classroom and it is my pleasure to write this letter of reference for her as she pursues a career in education.

Patricia was extremely motivated to learn new things for herself and her students. My students responded well to her instruction and personality.I found her to be organized and well prepared in lesson planning and instruction.Patricia was always challenging herself as a learner and a teacher. In fact, she worked individually with one of my students on an artwork the student submitted to the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities. The student was accepted to Governor’s School and will study there for two years.

Patricia was supportive of students in their work and pushed them to stretch beyond their comfort zones. She maintained professional standards in every area of her service at Clover High School. She was a pleasure to have as a colleague and I could trust her with the care and instruction of my students. I am confident that she will make a wonderful teacher and her students will benefit from her expertise and enthusiasm. Any school district will be fortunate to have Patricia on their faculty.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance. It was my pleasure to have Patricia in my classroom and to now count her among my friends and colleagues in education."

Most sincerely,

LuAnne Lovelace

"The MFA in Studio Art program demands focused research in traditional, interdisciplinary or emerging practices in both visual and conceptual art, developing and nurturing the artist 's voice" . http//:winthrop.edu

• Leading classrooms in studio art while  achieving cross curricular connections; i.e.  integrated core knowledge artists and movements of historical significance, domain map connections made in social studies, math, science, and music.
• Reinforcing development of Socratic critical and analytical thinking engaged in classroom discussions, reflective writing, guiding attention to the learning goals.
• Instilling students confidence through perseverance; reaching their highest potential in studio art, both in process and results-based driven work.

• Art I. Leading classrooms in studio art, exploring artists and movements of historical significance, while achieving  cross curricular connections.

Design and presentation of exciting lessons that actively engage grade level K-5 students, while educating on proper artistic methodologies, various technical aspects, and mediums, utilization of age-appropriate material, and incorporating real life experiences in conjunction with cross curriculum connections. Positively impacted classroom activities by engaging students’ interest with visual prompts; overhead projectors, computers, artwork, and drawings to gear lessons both visually and conceptually.

Stepped into role of Art Educator on full time basis, with grade levels 3rd - 5th Grade. Further established the design and presentation of exciting lessons that actively engaged learners on varying grade levels, while educating on proper artistic methodologies, various technical aspects, and mediums, utilization of age-appropriate material, and incorporating real life experiences in conjunction with cross curriculum connections. Developed advanced technological skills in leading classroom activities by engaging students’ interest with visual prompts; smart board video and instruction, computers, artwork, and drawings to gear lessons both visually and conceptually.

Developed design and presentation of exciting lessons that purposefuly engaged highschool Advanced Art and AP students. Focused students’ interest with visual prompts to gear lessons both visually and conceptually; while instructing on proper artistic methodologies, various technical aspects, mediums, and utilization of age-appropriate material; incorporating meaningful real life learning experiences to art.

Recruited for corporate design background by colleagues to help pilot 'My Work' Satellite Offices for Bank of America employees. Assisted in bridging communication between architectural design team of NELSON and Bank of America 'My Work' Team through collaborative sketches, communication, and interpersonal skills, the design execution and procedural management in establishing 3 new preliminary sites (Ballentyne, Hearst Tower, and North Charlotte) in headquarters of Charlotte before 'My Work' program taken nationally. This was a successful attempt at bringing work commutes closer to home for more quality time, proven essential in retaining quality employees. Drawing, rendering, and computer aided drafting skills highly depended on for quality management in design execution and efficiency of new spaces.

Team Designer for First Union Facilities (merging into Wachovia, then Wells Fargo), and TIAA-CREF (Teacher’s Insurance Annuity Association) CharlotteServiceCenter;

Rendering Drawings for Architectural presentations, Schematic Design, Working Drawings, On-Site Observations, Field Measurements, Finish Coordination, Coordination between architects and on site construction for implementation of seating for teamwork accessibility of employees in implementation of built out office furniture systems. Public Relations and Event Coordination between Designers and Reps for design finishes.

Design & Contribution to working drawings of Dover YMCA, Shelby, NC. North Elementary School Gymnasium, First National Bank Renovation, Shelby Presbyterian and Elizabeth Baptist Church structural additions, Cecil Burton Funeral Home Renovation, a Santa's House for children at Christmas for First National Bank, commercial and residential drawings of Shelby, NC. Rendered Drawings for architectural presentations, Space Planning, Schematic Design, Site Planning, On–Site Observations, Field Measurements, Selection and Coordination of Finishes, multiple regions.