(Elizabeth) Lissa Pedersen
54 Fulton St., Asheville, NC, 28801
Cell (828) 507-0552 elizpedersen@gmail.com
misslissaarted.com
E. Lissa Pedersen: 2019 Erwin District Teacher of the Year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UldUhSYVKFU
Certification/Education/Recognition
NC Art Teaching Certification, K – 12 Art, HQ
National Board Certified in ART: Early & Middle Childhood
2019 Erwin District Teacher of the Year, BCS
NC Elementary Education Certification, K – 6th, HQ
AIG Add-On Licensure, HQ,
Highest Academic Honors, Graduate Level Certificate, Western Carolina U., Fall 2011
M.A. in Art and Art Education, With Academic Honors, May 2005
Teacher’s College, Columbia University, New York, NY
BFA in Art and Art History with Academic Honors, May 1993
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, New Brunswick, NJ
NC Teaching Experience
Art Teacher, Leicester Elementary School, NC, K-4th, 8/2011 – present
I work to develop a strong student centered process based art education program on a tight budget. I engage students in a firm yet nurturing teaching manner. I structure my curriculum around essential questions as a starting point for inquiry. I teach in a manner that respects the individual through differentiation and hands-on exploration with materials. In this vein, I fixed the kiln and reintroduced clay into the curriculum. Students connect with art history. Students work with clearly defined learning objectives that result in a multitude of individual results. I design and implement an after-school art program so that students would have opportunities to work in art materials that would normally exceed the time allotment of the school art period. I continue to expand my teaching strengths through professional development beyond what is offered through BCS professional development- such as taking art classes, working in my studio, membership in NAEA, etc. In addition to teaching, some of the roles that I have played are:
School PBIS Team, Leicester ES, 2022-2024
School Improvement Team, Leicester ES, 2018-2021
Student Teacher Mentoring 2019 and 2023
Teacher of the Year Select Committee, Erwin district seat, BCS, 2019-2021
Art Club with Puppetry & Performance, 2013- Present
Coach Odyssey of the Mind, (with a statewide title) 2011-2013
Art Teacher/Mentor, Under One Sky Villager Foundation, 2011-2015
During the summers and over long weekends, I functioned as both a teacher and mentor for teens aging out of the foster care system. Under One Sky, currently dismantled due to a lack of funding was an Asheville, NC-based nonprofit organization, the Foundation provides services for children in foster care that promote emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual growth and helps them establish permanent connections to a mentoring community of supportive adults and peers.
Art Teacher, Francine Delaney New School, NC, K-8th grade, 8/2010 – 6/2011
Art & Math Integration Teacher, ArtSpace Charter, 2009- 2010
I provided math/art extension activities for the advanced students in 5th grade that focused on art/ algebra integration. This lesson provided a structure for students to recognize shape patterns, extend the patterns, and find rules and equations that describe them. Digging deeper into these concepts students were able to stretch their comprehension of pattern and repetition into the visual realm by designing tile tile mosaics to display their learning in an artistic way.