Dara Kane

I'm a Pre-K Head Teacher at Central Synagogue's May Family Nursery School in New York City. The preschool is play based and follows the educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia. In addition, I teach art to children in Southern Westchester. Presently, I teach art at the Summer Arts Program at Hoff Barthelson Music School and Privately.

I am also proud to be a Teaching Artist in ArtsWestchester's distinguished Teaching Artist Residency Program. Through my affiliation with ArtsWestchester I have done artist residencies at: Westchester Hills School 29, Yonkers, NY, Mount Vernon Public Library, Mount Vernon, NY, Unity Gardens, a senior residence, Mount Vernon, NY, and Heartsong, a music and art therapy center for children with disabilities, White Plains, NY. 

In my spare time I create art, and specialize in collage. I frequently exhibit my artwork, and have participated in Group Art Shows as well as Juried Exhibitions in New York City, Westchester County and Rockland County, NY, and Greenwich and Cos Cob, CT.

I received my Masters of Arts in Teaching with distinction from Manhattanville College. I have Professional Certifications from New York State Department of Education to teach Early Childhood (birth - grade 2), Childhood Education (1 - 6), and Visual Arts (K - 12).

I have a degree in Textile Surface Design Cum Laude from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I developed print designs for Nautica International as well as other print design studios in Manhattan for the fashion and bedding industries. In addition, I designed packaging and retail materials at Tommy Hilfiger Home.

Visit my website, www.darakane.com to see my Gallery of Collages and classes for children. 

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Childhood Education (grades 1- 6), Early Childhood Education (birth - grade 2), Visual Arts (K - 12), New York State, 2014

EDUCATION

Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY - Masters of Arts in Teaching, May 2011, Kappa Delta Pi

Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY - Associates in Applied Science, Cum Laude, 1994, Major: Textile/Surface Design

Baruch College, New York, NY - Bachelor of Arts, May 1986, Major: English

RELATED EXPERIENCE:

Central Synagogue May Family Nursery School, New York, NY, September 2014 - Present.  Co-Head Teacher (4's).  Ask open-ended questions to encourage critical thinking and inquisitiveness; lead discussions to promote listening and questioning skills; guide students in developing their own knowledge using available resources

The Bronxville School, Bronxville, NY, Fall 2007 – Present.  After School Program, January 2008 – 2014.  Art Instructor (ages 6 – 11).  Develop custom art courses; receive positive parent feedback; enrollment continually full; teach collage, painting techniques, clay and Be An Artist where each week new artist and style are explored.  October 2007 – Present.  Substitute Teacher (grades K – 5).  Implement lesson plans; introduce new material when appropriate; maintain positive interactions with students, faculty and parents to ensure environment conducive to learning.

Hoff-Barthelson Music School, Scarsdale, NY, Summers 2008 – Present.  Summer Arts Program, Art Instructor.  Instruct elementary and middle school-aged children daily over five-week period; develop and implement projects in variety of art mediums and techniques.

Hoff-Barthelson Preschool, Scarsdale, NY, September 2011 – May 2014.  Preschool Teacher (3's and 4's).  Guided play to encourage social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development; assessed students' developmental needs; nurtured creative development through art mediums and art history; initiated reading and games with children.

Jefferson Elementary School, New Rochelle, NY, January – May 2011.  Student Teacher (Grades 1 and 4).  Created and administered math assessment; analyzed assessments to differentiate small group math instruction; integrated SMART board into teaching

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mount Vernon Public Library, Mount Vernon, NY, Summers 2011, 2012, Artist-in-Residence.  Developed and taught collage workshops inspired by children's literature; incorporated rubbing technique, spelling, and tracing into projects; used recycled materials

Private Art Teacher, White Plains, NY, September 2010 – March 2011, Home School Art Instructor. Created art curriculum based on White Plains School District visual arts curriculum, state and national standards; taught weekly lessons to 2 home schooled students, ages 4 and 6; integrated art with academic subjects including social studies and math Consulted with parents to plan instruction; wrote quarterly updates on first grader’s progress for school district

Westchester Hills School 29, Yonkers, NY, Spring 2010, Artist-in-Residence.  Collaborated with school guidance counselor; instructed 5th and 6th grade girls weekly; used collage to address self-esteem issues

JURIED EXHIBITS: ORIGINAL COLLAGES 

2019  We're Not In Kansas Anymore, Hastings Village Hall, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

2019  Inside Small, Greenwich Botanical Center Gallery, Cos Cob, CT 

2018  Inside Small, The Outside In Gallery, Piermont, NY *Awarded Juried Honorable Mention

2014  2nd Juried Exhibition, Blue Mountain Gallery, New York, NY 

2014  Westchester Biennial, Castle Gallery, New Rochelle, NY 

EXHIBITS: ORIGINAL COLLAGES

2019  Your Place Squared: Community Art Project, Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT 

2017  Holiday Show 2017, Blue Door Art Center, Yonkers, NY

2016  Small Works Exhibition, Rye Arts Center, Rye, NY

2014  Bronxville Pop-Up Art Show, Bronxville, NY 

2012  Piecing It Together, Mount Vernon Public Library, Mount Vernon, NY

2012  Connections: Teaching Artists of Westchester, Arts Westchester Bank Building, White Plains, NY

2011  Graduate Student Art Show, Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY

2008  Solo Exhibition, Karma Road, New Paltz, NY

2008  Solo Exhibition, Store Room Gallery at Gillard's, Bronxville, NY 

SKILLS

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint; Adobe Photoshop; SMART Board