Andy Matthews
Secondary Art Educator and Visual Artist
614-284-1968
PROFILE
As an art educator, I strive to make learning engaging, relevant, and meaningful. By connecting art history and foundational skills with contemporary events and pop culture, I create a classroom where students are encouraged to explore their identities and incorporate their own interests into their artwork.
As an artist, my work centers on personal identity and everyday life, often with a splash of humor (and occasionally cats).
EDUCATION
MAT in PreK-12 Art Education, 2024 — Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
Maryland Certification in PreK-12 Art Education
BFA in Art and Design, 2023 — Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
Dual focus in Illustration and Sculpture
Minor in Art History
AA in Visual Art, 2020 — Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, MD
AWARDS
MSDE Teacher of Promise, 2024
Representing Frostburg State University
RELEVANT TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Magnet Graphic Arts Teacher, Western Heights Middle School for WCPS, Hagerstown, MD — 2024 to Current
I design lessons for magnet-level Graphic Arts that focus on current graphic design trends and foundation skills. I teach students to use a variety of art-creation software and tools to create professional-level projects, such as logo designs, marketing campaigns, and illustrative work.
Secondary Art Teacher, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, MD — 2023 to Current
I develop curriculum and provide art-based instruction to middle and high school aged students in exploration based art classes. Students experiment with and create artworks through a variety of materials and study various historical artworks and art movements, often utilizing current museum exhibits on display.
Student-Teacher, Middletown Middle School, Middletown, MD — 01/2024 to 05/2024
Designed and implemented an interdisciplinary art curriculum by utilizing a variety of teaching methods including lecture, hands-on activities, and multimedia materials to engage students with historical and contemporary art.
Student-Teacher, Williamsport Elementary, Hagerstown, MD — 08/2023 to 11/2023
Designed and implemented developmentally appropriate art lessons for grades PreK-5 with a focus on exploration and self- expression using a variety of storytelling, art history, and multicultural perspectives to engage students in art.
Teaching Assistant, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD — 08/2022 to 12/2022
Mentored freshman students in a university-specific orientation class. Supported and guided students in navigating freshman year academic requirements and campus life.
Art Lab Aide, Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, MD — 01/2020 to 05/2020
Directly supervised and provided art-based instruction to students in usage of lab tools and artistic processes. Additionally was responsible for keeping art labs and storage facilities clean, organized, and secured.