Joyce Richards
Art EducatorCreative and dedicated Art Educator bringing together 10+ years of professional design experience with a year of hands-on K-12 classroom teaching. Recently passed Praxis Art Content Knowledge (5134) and currently pursuing Virginia K-12 Art Licensure. Known for designing differentiated, culturally responsive art experiences that spark authentic creative engagement—from clay relief sculptures that students proudly display at home to multi-day projects that build artistic confidence. Skilled in classroom management across diverse age groups and experienced in both substitute teaching and camp instruction.
Virginia K-12 Art Licensure (In Progress)
Praxis Art Content Knowledge 5134 – Passed 2025
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA 2000
Art Instruction: Watercolor, collage, clay/ceramics, mixed media, surface pattern design, age-appropriate project development
Classroom Management: Differentiated instruction, age scaffolding, positive behavior support, studio routines, formative assessment
Design & Technology: Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop; Canva, PowerPoint, classroom technology integration
Professional Strengths: Visual storytelling, culturally responsive teaching, creative exploration facilitation, clear communication, adaptability, organization
teaching Experience
Prince William County Public Schools | Manassas, VA
➤ Implement curriculum-aligned lesson plans across K-12 in drawing, painting, ceramics, and 3D media.
Adapt quickly to diverse learning environments and differentiate instruction for varied student needs and abilities.
➤ Collaborate with classroom teachers and administrative staff to ensure continuity in learning and classroom expectations.
➤ Utilize classroom technology and digital tools to support instruction and maintain student engagement.
The Art League, Summer Art Camps | Alexandria, VA
➤ Developed differentiated lesson plans for younger and older campers: younger students completed take-home projects daily; older students built skills progressively, culminating in summative projects at week’s end.
➤ Designed and facilitated a clay relief sculpture unit featuring sea creatures and fish, demonstrating scoring techniques and additive clay methods.
➤ Fostered creative risk-taking and self-expression, inspiring students to envision finished work as displayable art.
➤ Managed daily classroom setup, instruction, and cleanup in a fast-paced studio environment with teaching assistant support.
➤ Developed and implemented a transition system for early finishers, including watercolor resist lessons that kept all students productively engaged.
