Amber Couch

Hello!
My name is Amber Couch, and I graduated from Northern State University in December
2014, Cum Laude. As a fourth generation artisan, I grew up surrounded by the arts in the
San Francisco Bay Area since birth. Though I grew up living and breathing art, I initially
started my academic career in another field: Anthrolpology. After earning an Associate
degree in Anthropology, I noticed that my main interest was in the art each culture
produced, and how art, in essence, is the thing that tells us most about a culture. With my
intense curiosity about the world, my educational journey is an ongoing process unlikely
to end.
I had the privilege of conducting my junior field at Frederick Area School District which is
a K-12 school, under the guidance of the veteran art teacher there. There, I became
acquainted with a wonderful staff and student body, and seen the benefits of a smaller
school. I have witnessed the dedication and familial climate of a small school, and thought
it would be a perfect place to work while teaching there.
I had the benefit of working with two superb art teachers in the city of Aberdeen, at
Holgate Middle School, and Central High School during my student teaching, giving me
the experience needed to work at a larger school as well.
I am also substituting in the Aberdeen School District as of January 2015, after graduating
on December 13, 2014 with my degree in Art Education with a focus in fine arts and
received my teaching certification for K-12 art. I knew I wanted to teach art since I had the
opportunity some ten years ago at an art store, and love helping children grow and explore
the world around them.
Working with young children at the Aberdeen Recreational and Cultural Center (ARCC)
has cemented my desire to inspire the next generation to appreciate and learn about the
world around them. My greatest strengths are in drawing, painting, clay, and sculpture; but
I am proficient in other areas such as photography as well.
I have a number of valuable teaching assets I would like to share with a school district,
and the future students I will be working with. I am creative, hardworking, and
enthusiastic. I create a positive learning environment in which all students feel respected
and have the opportunity to succeed. I also use my involvement in the community to
increase parental involvement in the schools and show the students that I care about their
lives outside the classroom.
I have a solid fine arts background and a great deal of experience working with youth. I
have had the opportunity to work for the ARCC for over a year or so. I created and taught
curriculum for several youth classes that were a month long, teaching students ranging
from ages 3-17 years old.
Currently, I am also the Assistant Gallery and Program Director for the ARCC, where I help
the head program director Lois Beckner decide and create the curriculum for their art
program and community events. I also assist with setting up the gallery, along with
receptions for artisans who are chosen to show their work there.
Thank you for your time.
~Amber

Amber Couch