Curriculum Vitae

SARAH MURPHY

(860) 202-0900 | murphysa@gmail.com | @artbysarahmurphy | Printable Resume

Innovative educator with a practical approach, and an emphasis on authentic, project based learning experiences.

Education and Credentials

Bachelor of Arts, History, Smith College, Northampton MA
Studio Art and Art History: Eastern CT State University, and Manchester Community College
Teacher Certification: Social Studies, 026, Grades 7-12
Graduate Studies in Education: University of Saint Joseph

Work History

Costume Designer, Shop Manager, Teacher

Arts at the Capitol Theater, a public magnet high school in Willimantic, CT | 2013 – present

Teaching at this NEASC accredited public arts magnet high school has been filled with authentic, project-based learning experiences. In an effort to give the feedback necessary to cultivate a growth mindset in students, I am moving toward a standards-based assessment approach. Students have a variety of ways to show their learning, and reflect upon their own areas of challenge, and growth.

Teach diverse students in grades 9-12 from over 20 different towns across Eastern CT at an accredited public magnet high school. Courses in sewing, costume design, drawing, art history, and costume illustration
Create authentic project based learning experiences with a competency-based assessment approach.
Design and constructed costumes for three annual costumed productions including a musical, dance concert, and play
Budget Analysis of production expenses
Strategic Design Team – aligning our instruction and assessment with the Portrait of a Graduate, and moving toward standards-based grading of student learning and progress rather than the traditional numbers and letter grades.
Special Education: Familiarity with IEPs, 504s, and implementing accommodations for students with learning disabilities. My classes typically include 66% or more students with IEPs.

Courses Taught

- Costume Construction – basic and intermediate sewing, and related crafts for theatrical costumes
- Costume Design – a 2D art course that focuses on figure drawing, and mixed media fashion illustration
- Drawing – an introduction to drawing in graphite, ink, and charcoal, and the elements and principles of design.
- Visual Creativity – a mixed media visual art course incorporating visual journaling, cooperative community projects, and art history

Highlights

YouTube Channel with art and sewing tutorials

**The Lemon Tree** – a collaborative art project featured in the Willimantic Chronicle Nov 26, 2021, and in the Windham Arts Gallery Abstract Art show

**Syllabus Website – my classes at ACT**: I created a website for parents and students to use to navigate their way through assigned work in my classes.

The Spicy Brain Simulator – A board game designed as a professional development experience for teachers.

Costume Designer and shop manager for over a decade of ACT’s theatrical and dance productions.

History and Social Studies Teacher

(Long Term Substitute Jobs 2008-2012) – US History, Western Civilization, Global Studies, Civics

Joel Barlow High School, Redding, CT. February 2012 – June 2012.
- Barlow HS Letter of reference
Ellis Technical High School, Danielson, CT. May 2009 – January 2010
Cheney Technical High School, Manchester, CT. August 2008 – November 2008
Classical Magnet School – Hartford CT. Student Teaching Internship, 8th Grade US History. January 2008 – April 2008
- Classical Magnet Letter of Reference

Museum Docent

The Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT | June 2006 – 2012 | Museum Teacher, Curatorial Assistant, and Historic Interpreter

Taught educational programs on the use of primary sources, life in the Victorian era and how popular novels can influence large scale social and political changes.
Used primary sources and museum collections to bring the life, times and people of the 19th century alive for visiting students
Cared for the museum’s collections of textiles, furniture and fine art
Guided interpretive tours of the 1874 house for student groups and the public

Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry, CT | 1999 – 2006 | Museum Teacher, Curatorial Intern, Docent

Taught museum programs for school children 7-13 about life in rural colonial CT
Used primary sources and pieces from the museum’s collection to bring the life, times and people of the 18th century alive for day campers
Digitized the museum’s collections card catalogue records
Took records of the museum’s displayed collections items.
Guided tours of the historic eighteenth century Nathan Hale Homestead

Other adventures

Illustrator – Freelance 2024-present

@artbysarahmurphy on Instagram
Fantasy book covers for the Faerie Knight series by David Niemitz

18th Century Milliner – Royal Blue Traders 2015-present

I make reproduction 18th century ladies bonnets, and sell it all over New England (and beyond) through this locally owned small business that specializes in historically accurate reproductions of Revolutionary War era uniforms.