Artists Registry

Keira Boynton

Blacklick OH United States

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My work is a reflection of my spiritual connection to New York City and all of its beauty. Seeing a city beyond its people has become a journey I have been walking since I can remember. In my one visit to NYC I developed a strong bond with its essence. The day after 9.11 I wrote a poem called The Manhattan Skyline. This poem is a direct reflection of my experience with the Twin Towers and New York. For two days I was able to breathe, walk, and love the city of New York. I created this poem to honor those lost and pay tribute to a prevailing city. I hope the piece reflects the beauty I saw in New York City even after the attacks. I hope it can be seen that 9.11 was a defining moment in our country's history but would not determine our future. The city would stand, our country would stand together even after the darkness that fell that day. The light would still shine on our people. I hope this piece reflects this very idea. I am very excited about the possibility that this very personal piece of art is one that could hang in the National September 11 Memorial and Museum one day soon. It is with great hope that I think about this often!

I am a teacher and have been one for city schools for 14 years now. When September 11, 2001 happened America stood still. The people of our country were in mourning and knew exactly where they were when it happened. Fortunately for my third graders, they were not here when it happened. They were born into this world with no memory of the event. But even though they lack connection in time to this American event, they will not go without learning its importance and relevance to what America means. The students in my room are exposed to the events that took place that day. We explore literature, learn patriotic songs, watch videos, and even write to firemen in New York City (Ladder 3 that has their truck in the September 11 Memorial and Museum. Students have the opportunity to learn about search and rescue dogs and service dogs so that even in the face of all of the catastrophic events that day they can see what miracles happened after the attacks. September 11, 2001 is a very monumental day in our American history. It is a day to honor those lost and remember that freedom would not be relinquished. It is with this thought that I have created my art and the same by which I teach my students.

Keira L. Boynton
7540 Braeburn Court  Blacklick, OH 43004  614-805-9406  keira21@hotmail.com

CERTIFIED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (1-8)
Dedicated elementary teacher eager to maintain full-time teaching career (currently a elementary school teacher in Columbus City School District). Offering a proven track record of commended performance teaching grades 3, 4, and 5, with a passion for education and a commitment to optimizing student and school success.

Core Competencies
— Classroom management
— Innovative lesson plans
— School-wide programs
— Test results
— Building connections to real-life situations, Parental involvement
— Technology-based projects
— Diligent work in improving all areas of teaching
— High student interest

Experience
CLEVELAND CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Cleveland, OH
Elementary Teacher (3), 1999 to 2000

COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Columbus, OH
Elementary Teacher (3, 4, 5), 2000 to current
Hired as a full-time teacher following student teaching experience in undergraduate program, instructing all academic subject areas to third grade students. Left Cleveland City School District (on excellent terms) at the end of the 2000 academic year to move to the city of Columbus. Interviewed and was hired at Ohio Avenue Elementary School in the Columbus City School District. Taught third grade the first two years and then moved to fifth grade to continue teaching for 1 ½ years. Moved back to third grade and taught this grade for another 6 years. Looped with third grade students to fourth grade for one year. Fourth grade was a self-contained classroom. This year of experience resulted in such a high increase of Ohio Achievement Assessment Math scores that our school’s rating increased. Currently a third grade teacher at Ohio Avenue Elementary School.

Key Contributions:
— Practicing years of success in developing and maintaining an inclusion classroom setting.
— Created Earth Patrol Club, a school-wide program which promotes recycling and go green ideas. Students have really become active, caretakers of the earth. They are believers that they can change the world, a idea that has been taught to them this school year. Spreading the word home has inspired many of my students’ families to become recyclers as well. The change to help save the earth has begun. News article written about this program I started and entered into SWACO Emerald Award Contest which honors the best and most innovative local ideas in waste recycling. Received SWACO award in May 2012.
— Successfully moved to different grade levels and able to command change and promote high levels of student success.
— Responsible for promoting the wide use of technology in the school. Became go-to teacher for technology issues and questions.
— Creating lessons that focus on developing 21st century skills in the classroom. Responsible for developing third and fifth grade internship program. Students go outside of their classroom to mentor and assist younger students. For example, fifth grade interns mentor my third grade students.

Education & Credentials
HIRAM COLLEGE — Hiram, OH
BA in Elementary Education, 1999
Ohio Teacher Certification (Grades 1-8), 1999 (renewed in 2004 and 2009)

OHIO DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY- Columbus, OH
MA in Curriculum and Instruction with Technology, 2012