Experience 

Visual Arts Teacher K-8th at Hutchinson Elementary and Middle School February 2024

• Managed and organized art studio supplies and equipment, supporting the artistic development of over 100 students each week.
• Cultivated a respectful and inclusive classroom environment through the use of positive behavior interventions and consistent discipline strategies.
• Taught diverse students from varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, inspiring creativity with engaging 2-D and 3-D art projects.

Long-Term and Day-to-Day Substitute Teacher, Detroit Public Schools Community District May 2023

• Quickly adapted to diverse grade levels and subjects, including elementary, middle, and high school, while maintaining instructional continuity  
• Provided additional assistance to students with special needs or learning challenges, tailoring instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles
• Delivered pre-planned lesson materials effectively, ensuring a seamless transition for students in the absence of regular teachers

WDET Culture Shift Intern WDET 101.9 FM Detroit's NPR Station May 2023- August 2023 

• Collaborated with a team of producers and hosts to facilitate the production of a dynamic live radio experience. 
• Contributed to the creation of engaging web content and conducted in-depth research for featured stories. 
• Demonstrated photography skills, recording audio, and editing to enhance the quality of materials incorporated into the radio show.

Freelance Photojournalist Planet Detroit Mar 2021 - Nov 2023 

• Reported on pressing environmental issues faced by Detroit residents like water pollution, park conservation, and food insecurity as a contributing reporter 
• Independently shot and edited photographs, and wrote stories for 24 social media posts 
• Conducted interviews, photographed, and wrote over 7 in-depth, environmental articles 

Visual Arts Teacher K-8th Grade Detroit Merit Charter Academy Nov 2021 - Mar 2023 

• Organize and maintain equipment and materials for a working art studio to serve over 100 students per week
• Ensure a school-wide culture of respect and actively use positive behavioral interventions and disciplinary methods 
• Worked with a diverse range of students from various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to foster creativity through 2-D and 3-D art lessons  

Freelance Photojournalist Intern The Devil Strip Aug 2019 - Dec 2020

• Researched stories related to the Southeast Asian refugee communities and showcased artist and community events located in Akron, Ohio
• Working on location with community members to gain an understanding of their non-profit organizations 
• Writing engaging stories to accompany my photographs 

Art Handler Akron Art Museum Jun 2019 - Apr 2020 

• Work on installation of artwork in museum gallery 
• Assist in lighting, painting, and fabrication needed to display various mediums 
• Disassembled art pieces for shipment by packing, crating, and securing items 

Art Educational Intern Akron Art Museum May 2018 - Aug 2018 

• Conduct tours for children and youth groups through the museum 
• Set up equipment and art materials while monitoring the Kid's Summer Art Lab 
• Brainstorm new activities centered around the museum's permanent collection and new exhibitions 

Curatorial Intern Toledo Museum of Art May 2016 - Aug 2016 

• Collaborate with head curators to research, brainstorm, and pitch upcoming exhibitions for the museum 
• Monitor upkeep of museum collection; including didactic signage 
• Work with acquisition and registrar departments to inventory new art pieces and outgoing works on loan

Ohio Army National Guard, 1-148TH INFANTRY REGIMENT Sep 2013 - Sep 2018 

• Operate and maintain army communication equipment 
• Ensure all units can communicate in real time over vast distances 
• Intermediate IT troubleshooting and cyber security monitoring 

Education 

The University of Akron Bachelor of Arts - BA, Multidisciplinary Studies

With an emphasis in Photograph, Art History, Cultural Anthropology 

3.2 GPA 2017 - 2020

Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea Study Abroad Program - Sept. 2019 - December 2019 

The University of Toledo BFA Digital and Photographic Studies, Minor Art History 

3.2 GPA 2015 - 2017 No Degree

Honors & Awards 

WayUp’s Top Interns of the Year 2023

The job site and resource for recent college graduates, WayUp, celebrated National Intern Day with a selection of the top 100 interns working this year. I was selected based on my work at the NPR Station WDET while working as a Production Assistant. 

Outlier Media: Do Good Project Outlier Media 2023

Under the direction of a seasoned freelance journalist, I received specialized training in editorial skills and content creation utilizing graphic design and photojournalism techniques to enhance the visual appeal of my storytelling. 

Frank Allen Field Reporting Award - The Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources 2021 

In this grant-awarded project, I collaborated with Planet Detroit to publish two thought-provoking articles on the detrimental impact of pollution in the Detroit River. In these articles, I highlight the inspiring efforts of the local community to raise awareness about the hazardous effects of pollutants on wildlife and how they are actively working to overcome these challenges.

PechaKucha Talk Rethinking Race, University of Akron Guest Speaker 2020

As a part of the University of Akron's “Rethinking Race” week, I was asked to be a guest speaker at an event to showcase cross-cultural exchanges based on my experience abroad in South Korea. 

International College Ambassador, South Korea Yonsei University 2019

The ambassador role is a grant-awarded position sponsored by the University of Akron’s Women's Committee. In this role, I met with students at Yonsei and helped with their conversational English and American cultural understanding as they in turn helped me learn Korean and document my experiences abroad in photography. 

Art Show Submissions

Scholastics Art Show Canton, OH 2012

Scholastics Art Show Canton, OH 2013

Canton South Alumni Show Canton, OH 2015

Toledo Student Juried Art Show Toledo, OH 2016

Secor Show Toledo, OH 2016

Secor Show Curator Toledo, OH 2017

Toledo Student Juried Art Show Curator Toledo, OH 2017

CVA GalleryAkron, OH 2017

The Hub Gallery Akron, OH 2018

Emily Davis Gallery Akron, OH 2019

Box Gallery Akron, OH 2019

If you have a great story idea or would like some portraiture or event photography commissioned, please get in touch with me below. You can stay up to date with me on my artistic journey on Instagram @theartofzaire.