Professional Resume

Taylor Couch
taylorcouch88@gmail.com

Professional Profile:

Enthusiastic, proficient educator and trainer with expertise in drama and performance. Specializing in Early Childhood and literacy, creative learning experiences, and diverse education environments.

Professional Experience:

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, August 2016 – Present 
Teaching Artist
Develop and present performing arts residency programs in early childhood classrooms around the city of Pittsburgh for Gateway to the Arts and Western Pennsylvania Wolf Trap. Responsibilities include communicating closely with cooperating teachers, devising and implementing in-classroom professional development for classroom teachers, and appropriately adapting lessons to diverse learning environments and learners (such as English Language Learners and students on the Autism spectrum).

Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, May 2017 – Present 
Teaching Artist
 Present and facilitate making experiences with groups, ages 2-90, around the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. Responsibilities include communicating with hosting organizations on-site, engaging all participants with the materials and making on their level, and guiding highly imaginative, project-based problem-solving with uncommon supplies. Frequent use of hand tools and personal interaction with the reused materials.

Saltworks Theater Company, March 2005 – August 2016
Director of Educational Outreach & Teaching Artist
Develop and facilitate Young Actors Studio events, including curriculum creation and instructor coordination; independently and in conjunction with other educators, teach 4 –18 year olds various skills and subjects pertaining to theatre. Additional responsibilities include cross-discipline and multi-level curriculum development, supporting employed teaching artists throughout all processes, managing teaching assistants, and family engagement.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine‘s Office of Medical Education, March 2013 – Present
Standardized Patient & Training Team Member
Portray various medical cases, including medically specific physical and emotional symptoms, and give detailed verbal and written feedback during learning experiences for students at the University of Pittsburgh as well as other institutions. Other responsibilities include demonstrating and guiding correct technique on mannequin simulators. Training Team Member responsibilities include facilitating skills-focused training for other Standardized Patients and supervising their progress for purposes of evaluation and placement.

Whetstone Work Group, May 2016 – 2017
Daycare Provider
Engagingly supervise children aged 9 months-9 years in a small-scale, daycare environment.

Marilyn G Rabb Foundation, March – June 2013
Lead Teacher, WillPower program
Implemented a creative and performing arts-based supplementary sexual health curriculum to junior and senior high school students. This included coordinating responsibilities with the other teachers, enhancing the curriculum when possible or necessary, and communicating with the host school faculty and administration, as well as the cooperating health education teacher.

Hope Academy of Music and the Arts, January – March 2014
Teaching Assistant
Supported lead teacher during Pittsburgh Ballet Theater classes for students ages 4 – 15 years old, including supplemental classroom management, and class transition supervision; demonstrated and instructed students based on learning goals and acquisition of dance skills and group combinations.

Ramapo For Children, June – August 2008
Lead Bunk Life Counselor
Provided 24-hour a-day support in a traditional “sleep away” camp environment for children ages 4 – 13 years old with a wide range of special needs (including Autism Spectrum Disorders, speech and language delays, and cognitive delays) and those with “at risk” backgrounds; fostered and maintained a calm, positive attitude in an often high-stress environment. Worked in concert with fellow counsellors and support staff, attended regular meetings and training sessions, and developed and implemented personal goal plans for each camper through detailed observation and reporting.

Education:

The Queen’s University of Belfast, June 2011
Postgraduate Diploma, Drama and Performance Studies
Concentration in Representations of Gender and Gender-Based Violence

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Robert E. Cook Honors College, May 2010
Bachelor of Science, (Honors) Education and Developmental Studies
Specialization in Early Childhood Education and Literacy Acquisition

Workshops and Seminars:

  • Inclusion Best Practices for the Arts Education Classroom – City Theater, December 2016
  • Infant and Toddler Content Development – Gateway to the Arts, October 2016

Professional & Personal Development:

Interests and Activities:

  • The arts, including theater, puppetry, dance, filmmaking and photography.
  • Team-centered outdoor sports, such as rock-climbing and whitewater rafting.
  • Childcare (16 years of experience in babysitting and nannying).

Additional Skills:

  • Updated Pennsylvania clearances
  • Proficient in
    • Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Microsoft Office Suite, iMovie, Audacity
  • Experience with Google Analytics & Adwords
  • Facilitating team-building and small and large group activating exercises
  • Pleasant optimism