Helen Zotos
EDUCATION California State University of Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 2008- Present
AND • California Single Subject Preliminary Credential (CLAD),
CREDENTIALS CBEST California Basic Educational Skills Test, passed February 20
Revere Academy of Jewelry, San Francisco, CA 2007
• Certificate of Jewelry Rendering
American Intercontinental University, Los Angeles, CA 2005 - 200
• MBA: Masters in International Business Administration, Concentration in Management
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, 2001 – 2005
• B.A, Bachelor’s Degree: Fine Arts, Emphasis in Jewelry Making
• Minor: Business Administration
TEACHING Teacher (9th -12th), Sierra Vista High School, Baldwin Park, CA 2009 -2014
EXPERIENCE • Art I : Drawing and Painting
• Yearbook : Design, Photography, Coverage, Reporting, Writing
Student Teacher (9th -12th), Sierra Vista High School, Baldwin Park, CA 2008-2009
• Commercial Art: Adobe Software Applications: Photoshop, Illustrator,Premiere, Flash
• Ceramics: Hand building, Throwing, Firing
• Sculpture: Ceramic, Wood, Mixed Media
• Aided in: Art I Art II, Art III, AP Art History, AP Studio 2D, AP Studio 3D, AP Studio Drawing and Painting; and Yearbook
Substitute Teacher (9th -12th), Baldwin Park Unified School District, Baldwin Park, CA 2008-2009
ORGANIZATIONS CTA Member, NAEA Member
TRAINING Jostens Advisor Training, CADA Leadership Training, Walsworth Advisor Training, BTSA, Common Core, Illuminate, Smart Board, Adobe Suites, Online Educational Software
AWARDS 2014 - Teacher of the Year - Sierra Vista High School
2014- APSA (American Scholastic Press Association) - 3rd Place
2013 - APSA (American Scholastic Press Association) - 2nd Place
2012 - ASPA (American Scholastic Press Association) - Outstanding Theme
2012 - ASPA (American Scholastic Press Association) - 1st Place
2012 - Inducted into the Walsworth Gallery of Excellence
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT ON ART EDUCATION
A foundation in art education is essential to a student’s complete development as a creative and innovative problem solver. The main goal of my art curriculum focuses on helping students develop intellectually, socially, and creatively through a comprehensive exploration of art history, standards based studio work, aesthetics, and constructive criticism. With this foothold in art, students are able to progress as individuals in self-expression, independent problem solving, technical skills, and abstract thinking. Additionally, students can confidently apply the abilities gained in the fine art classroom into their lives no matter the endeavors they choose to pursue; left brain or right brain – it’s all supported by the arts.
What challenges me most as an educator is encouraging inquisitiveness that allows my students to find a passion that ignites their curiosity, even if it is outside the Arts. I believe students need guidance and someone to help them realize their interests so that they can set standards for themselves and achieve goals to make a contribution to society and perhaps make an impact upon the world. As an art teacher, my objectives include educating students in the arts and showing them how art can impact their lives and futures. I believe that we never stop learning. I feel that creative thinking is a part of everything we do in one way or another. This principal is both a practice in my life and a foundation in my classroom. One way in which I have seen this principal transfer into my classroom is through the yearbook program. The class has transformed into a community of students exploring their interests and working to construct a product of high quality and meaning to capture each year at Sierra Vista. I continue to be amazed at their personal journey of enrichment and what they create. In all of my classes, every day is an adventure, every moment a discovery, and with that, every art project is a potential step toward my students finding their voice, their passion, and their future.