Natascha gotesky

ngotesky@altutors.com

Introduction
¨	Having a profound passion for Art and Children, I commend the importance of artistic expression in early childhood as well as the impact art has on children with special needs, who desperately need alternative avenues for self-expression. The best confirmation of this philosophy has been the success story of a long-term autistic student who is now communicating with gestures and words at age 4. I cannot overstate my emphatic belief in the essential force of art, that being the creative process rather than the end result. Students are encouraged to utilize their creative freedom to make their own choices, thereby increasing their self-confidence, while guidance through the creative process ensures that the students appreciate the results of their ‘free form’ creative expression and understand that there is no failure in art.
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Fuzzy Elephant Academy of the Arts was established in Temecula-Murrieta, California with a mission to inspire the creative development of our children. Subsequently, two exceedingly successful programs for which the academy received a highly acclaimed reputation were launched: Junior Craft Safari (JCS) for children aged 2 to 5; and Impressions Art for Grades 1 to 12. As Art Program Director and founder, my responsibilities incorporated: ¨ Marketing of the programs through the school system, working closely with principals, PTOs, district superintendents and parents. ¨ Lesson plan development and instruction in Fine Art and Creative Writing. ¨ Integration of lesson plans to form an art curriculum for use by Charter and Home Schools. ¨ Coordination and management of exhibitions, museum field trips, class schedules, new enrollments, tuition, financial reporting and other related operations and administrative responsibilities. ¨ Hiring and training of teachers and assistants. As member of the Board of Directors and Event Chair for the Arts Council of Temecula Valley, my responsibilities included the following: ¨ Budgeting, planning and execution of the following annual events: Children’s Art in the Park, Youth Art Exhibition, Summer Youth Art Institute, Street Painting Festival, Art in Public Places (Painted Ponies), and Day of the Young Child. ¨ Coordination of above mentioned events with city departments, schools, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, performers, and so on. ¨ Obtaining sponsorships for the above-mentioned events. In excess of $50k in 2004 was raised from local businesses to sponsor the “Painted Ponies” project. Education & CREDENTIALS
	¨ Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology, with a minor in Visual Art, University of South Africa ¨ Artwork has been exhibited and sold at the Bijoux Gallery in South Africa, in galleries and stores in California, and locally in Hendersonville.
Community involvement
	¨ Served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Temecula Valley ¨ Conducted regular workshops for Girl Scout Troops to facilitate their acquisition of badges and patches.