Jessica Matthews

9897 North Springs Way — Coral Springs, FL 33076 — Phone: (954) 829-1359 — E-Mail: jessi.l.matthews@gmail.com

Objective
To inspire inner creativity, self-efficacy and life-appreciation within students through musical means.

Experience
PreK-5 General Music Teacher, University School (Nova Southeastern University) August 2018 – Present
• Designed curriculum that fosters composition and creativity within a collaborative environment, and directed three extracurricular
ensembles: Ukulele Players, Fintastix Chorus, and Shark Sounds (Orff, African Drumming, Hand Bells).

PreK-6 General Music Teacher, Westborough Public Schools (Massachusetts) August 2015 – June 2018
• Initiated a curriculum based upon playing, composing, and improvising using the following means: instruments including xylophones,
ukuleles, dulcimers, African drums, and recorders; responsive movement; written music notation; and music technology.
• Organized K-3 concerts for students to share their music with families, and developed a year-end outdoor folk dance tradition.
• Led an evening club, “Ukulele Nights at Hastings,” for students and families to learn ukulele chords and songs.
• Worked with faculty to create an official K-6 district-wide music curriculum.
• Led an African drumming club for students at Mill Pond Elementary in preparation for a Cultural Fair performance.
• Served on the Hastings Elementary Diversity Committee for the 2017-18 school year.
• Wrote and won multiple grants to fund the purchase of dulcimers, Boomwhackers, and a guest recorder ensemble.

Private Lesson Instructor for the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs October 2013 – May 2018
• Provided hour-long weekly private piano lessons to students on the autism spectrum and prepared them for a final recital at the end
of the teaching year; collaborated with various other students within the program as a piano accompanist.

Collaborative Pianist and Private Teacher

• Accompanied various choruses in the Greater Boston area, including the Carlisle Community Chorus, Carlisle and Concord Public
Schools, and Westborough Schools.
• Maintained a private lesson studio for piano and voice.

Director of the Carlisle Community Chorus September 2017 – May 2018

• Led weekly rehearsals for a 40-person chorus, and facilitated two public concerts.

Education
The Boston Conservatory: Master of Music in Music Education May 2015

University of Florida: Bachelor of Music (Piano Concentration) and Bachelor of Arts in English May 2013

Skills and Certifications

MTELS Status (Communication and Literacy; Music): Met with qualifying scores.

Initial Licensure: Music, All Levels #480769

Certification in Conversational Solfege Levels I-II