Dear Hiring Committee,

My name is Chelsea Nicole Skorka and I am graduating from Colorado State University
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a double concentration in education and
ceramics.
I have chosen teaching as my profession because I recognize the importance of this
generations contribution to the future of beneficial change in our global community. I
was born to be a teacher of our planet. So I dedicate every focused breath towards
quality education in all areas of life. Through my worldly travels I have gained a wellrounded perspective of environmental, societal, and interpersonal education as well as,
an understanding of the interconnectedness of all life subjects as it provides a grounded
perspective to the wide eyes of learning individuals.
I choose my idols based on their thinking and communication skills- who are both great
thinkers and exceptional educators. These astonishing humans, Socrates, Gandhi, and
Martin Luther King Jr. used their influence to inspire reasoned thought as a tool for
problem solving. I also choose not to solve my students problems for them but give
them the tools and ideas to solve their problems for themselves. I gather inspiration from
anything and everything from a theoretic mathematical equation in physics to chemical
interactions and effects on the body; every moment is a teaching moment.
I choose artistic expression as a formal, creative avenue of learning because I believe art
exploration can open doors of interest and passion into any subject matter. Just as John
Lennon chose music and Socrates chose philosophy, I choose to make a difference in
the world with creativity at the center of my teaching and communication. I recognize art
as a universal language that can address multiple cultures and a wide variety of
individuals.
As I teach, I hope to inspire students to examine every moment of their lives as if it were
an ever-changing artwork. Teaching students to express themselves through artistic
mediums provides them in-depth access to themselves, as well as, access to a variety of
life communication skills. I hope to inspire all students to utilize art as a mode of
communication and expression that expands beyond paints and brushes.
Socrates once said, Let him who would move the world, first move himself. What better
way to reach students than for them to examine and find themselves through art? He
also said, The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but
building the new. What better way to do this than through teaching?
Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the lighting of a flame.- Socrates
Thank you for your time,
Chelsea Nicole Skorka

Chelsea Skorka
303-888-8150
1830 Marlborough Ct, Fort Collins CO 80525

E-Portfolio: http://chelseaskorkateachingportfolio.weebly.com

Objective:
I wish to be an active member in your school community, in order to utilize my
skills towards the enrichment of your students.

Education and Licensure:

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree (December 2015)
Concentration: Ceramics
Concentration: Art Education

Formal Teaching Experience:

Student Teaching:
Centennial High School: Student Teaching (Fall 2015)
Designed Standards based Unit and lesson plans, facilitated student
learning through developing relationships, practiced high school
management skills,
Olander Elementary: Student Teaching (Fall 2015)
Co- created unit plans for K-5, Designed standards based lesson
plans, facilitated student learning through use of SMART
technology, developed management skills, differentiated learning to
meet the needs of individuals,

Practicum:
Thompson Valley High School: (Fall 2014)
Designed and executed art lessons based on Colorado Education
standards, facilitated student discussions about art,
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School: Art Teacher for K/1 (Spring 2014)
Co- designed Unit and Lesson Plans, facilitated student discovery
and learning through art, provided art education for K/1 class,
Lincoln Middle School: Management Strategies (Fall 2013)
Assisted in classroom management, designed and executed art
lessons, facilitated student learning through techniques in art
Cooper Home: Service Learning- Cooper Home (Fall 2013)
Facilitated student discovery and learning through materials
exploration in art, provided art education for students with
disabilities through lesson planning and differentiated learning

Preston Middle School: Incorporating Literacy and the Learner (Spring 2013)
Literary experience, facilitated literary learning strategies
across content areas

Teacher Related Experience:

Discovery skills
AVID Tutor Training- (Spring 2014)
K- 12 Teacher Certification (Fall 2015)
Nanny- 6 years

Skills:
StudioCeramics: Clay making, wheel throwing, sculptural, glaze mixing,
kiln firing- (Raku, reduction, oxygen, salt)
Photography: Black and White film photography/ darkroom, digital
Painting: Oil, acrylic, water color, figure, still life, color theory
Drawing: Figure, Life, 2-D Fundamentals
Sculpture: 3-D Fundamentals, plaster, wire, natural materials, wood,
Fibers: Dyeing, Batik, Sewing
Stained Glass: Basics

Gallery ExperienceCapstone Ceramics (group show) Anthropomorphosis

TechnologyLaser printer, 3-D Printer, SMART board/ podium, Word, Excel, Adobe
products (Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge, etc.), Wood shop tools; band saw,
table saw, lathe, drill press, sanders, etc.

Hobbies and Interests:

Travel: Costa Rica- Permaculture exploration, visionary arts and music participant
Health and Wellness- yoga, nutrition science, meditation
Permaculture- sustainability, gardening,
Art- sculptural, ceramic, environmental,

ReferencesJennifer Hogan University Supervisor- Colorado State University

Phone: 970- 227- 3692
Email: jhogan@psdschools.org
Diana Fields- Cooperating Teacher- Olander Elementary, Poudre School District
Phone: 970- 631- 5839
Email:Dianaf@psdschools.org
Dawn Sykes- Cooperating Teacher- Centennial- Alternative High School, (PSD)
Phone: 970- 493- 3013
Email: Dsykes@psdschools.org
Patrick Fahey- Area Coordinator- Colorado State University