CV
Education
Doctorate, Art Education with a certified minor in Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 2022
Master’s in Arts Administration, University of Michigan, 2012
Master’s in Art Education, Eastern Michigan University, 1999
Bachelor of Science in Art Education, University of Michigan, 1997
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, University of Michigan, 1994
Certificate of Deaf Studies, Mott Community College, 1991
Honors & Awards
Michigan State University Asian Studies Center & The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia at Pittsburgh Seminar Selectee,(2023) Exploring ideas for teaching K-12 about East Asia through literature and art, East Lansing MI, United States.
Michigan State University Broad Art Museum Teacher Fellow: Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Through Art, (2023) contributing to teacher-peer-administrative resources while learning how to support inclusion of systemic changes through artmaking, East Lansing, MI, United States.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship Awardee, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Commission, National Art Education Association (2022) Selected from a national pool to receive honorary conference registration and annual membership to the NAEA.
Redesigning Modernities Summer Workshop Awardee, Penn State University (2021) contributing and creating Open Educational Resources including modules, syllabi, and research.
John C. O’Connor Endowed Graduate Fellow, (2020) Selected as an outstanding student within art education who holds an interest in the museum collection, prints and works on paper at the Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA, United States.
The College of Arts and Architecture, Penn State University, (2020) Selected representee at Alliance for the Arts in Research University (A2RU) Emerging Creative Student Summit,Rise Up! Risk Something Real. Cincinnati, OH, United States
John C. O’Connor Endowed Graduate Fellowship Award, The Palmer Museum of Art (2019) Selected as an outstanding student within art education who holds an interest in the museum collection, prints and works on paper at the Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA,United States.
Silver Trout Curatorial Graduate Internship, (2019) Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA,United States
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, (2019) professional development grant. Fort Gratiot, MI, United States.
The College of Arts and Architecture, Penn State University, (2020) Selected representee at Alliance for the Arts in Research University (A2RU) Emerging Creative Student Summit“Place and Food,” Harrisonburg, VA, United States.
Judy Chicago Art Education Award, Through the Flower, (2018) For outstanding living curriculum and the project “For the Honor of Our Mothers,” a community quilt made by children in grades 7-8 in Flint, Michigan, during the ongoing water crisis. Flint, MI, United States.
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, (2018) professional development grant. Fort Gratiot, MI, United States.
House of Representatives, (2018) The Honorable Dan Kildee of Michigan recognizes me for outstanding achievement in being awarded the Judy Chicago Art Education Award for the project “To honor our mothers” while teaching at Flint Community Schools.
United States Senate, (2018) Certificate of Congressional Recognition from United States Senator Debbi Stabenow for selection in the Summer Institute for school teachers sponsored by the national Endowment for the Humanities. Washington D.C., United States
National Endowment for the Humanities, Summer Teacher Institute Awardee, (2018) “Remaking Monsters & Heroines: Adapting Classic Literature for Contemporary Audiences” Selected from a national applicant pool to receive funds for travel and attendance at the University of Arkansas; topics studied were original work and adaptations of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein including graphic novels, movies, radio, and literature formats. Additionally, participants studied adaptations in media, the Cinderella story, and cross-cultural adaptations globally and learned new methods of adaptation to implement in our professional practices. Fayetteville, AR, United States.
Michigan Youth Art Grant, (2017) Supply grant. Flint, MI, United States.
Supply Grant Awardee, The Zebra Foundation, (2014-2017) Supply grants. Flint, MI, United States.
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, (2017) professional development grant. Fort Gratiot, MI, United States.
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, (2016) professional development grant. Fort Gratiot, MI, United States.
United States House of Representatives, (2016) The Honorable Dan Kildee of Michigan thanks me for charity and service as a professional artist and art educator in Flint Community Schools. Congressional Record 114th Congress, Second Session.
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, (2015) professional development grant. Fort Gratiot, MI, United States.
National Endowment for the Humanities, Summer Landmark Awardee (2015) “Crafting Freedom” Selected from a national applicant pool to receive funds for travel and attendance at the University of North Carolina; topics studied were artists, artisans, and craftspeople that were free, enslaved, and former slaves during the Civil War Era such as Thomas Day and Elizabeth Keckley. Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
Publications (traditional and non-traditional)
Leaym-Fernandez, Melissa (2023). ACEs, artmaking, and adaptation: Making changes now. In A. Richards, R. Shin & S. Willis (Eds.), Learning through art: The intersectionality of critical identities in art education. (unknown pages).
Leaym-Fernandez, Melissa (2022). A love letter to my little girl. In S. Clem (Ed.), Exploring how we teach: Lived experience, lessons, and research for graduate students by graduate students (chapter one, https://uen.pressbooks.pub/exploreteaching/chapter/a-love-letter-to-my-little-girl/ ). Utah State University Press.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022, unpublished manuscript) The 50 Faces of Chen Kun: Masculine Modernities in Contemporary East and South Asian Media. Outcome from Redesigning Modernities Summer Workshop Award. University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2021). Individual Collectivities, panels 1-4, Viral Imaginations. University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2021) Unraveling the Anthropocene Podcast: Episode 16: Feminist Art Education & Mental Health During Covid, Liberal Arts Collective, Penn State University. University Park, PA, United States. https://sites.psu.edu/liberalartscollective/unraveling-the-anthropocene-podcast/episode-16-feminist-art-education-mental-health-during-covid/
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2021). Hyflex Pandemic Research: Living with Coronavirus, Art Education Research Institute, Friday Dialogue Series, https://4d10dd93-5900-4869-abe1- d329134bacfe.filesusr.com/ugd/e7f13f_208161537155485a960c4606c5b733d2.pdf
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2020), Exploring Identity, Language, and Narrative. Keller Collective Gallery, Penn State University. University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2019). Skin, Hair, Water & Earth: 50 Watercolors. Zollar Gallery, University Park, PA, United States
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2019). Grounded: Environments in Flux” [curator] exhibition celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Earth Day, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2017). Success in the alternative visual arts classroom. Advisory. National Art Education Association.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. 2008). Art Gallery Coloring Book. University of Michigan Hospital.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (1999, unpublished manuscript) Forty Women Artists that Lived and Died Before 1900. London, England/Blenheim Palace, Oxford, England.
Conferences, Presentations
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (Forthcoming 2024). Art Education, ACEs, and The Four Loves: Creative Solutions to Childhood Trauma. [Conference Presentation]. United States Society for Education Through Art. Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2023). Emerging Ideas Roundtable #2: Performance, Movement, Reflection, and Change. [Global Roundtable]. Children, Youth, and Performance Conference. York University and Young People’s Theatre. Toronto, ON, Canada.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2023). My choice to return to high school: Planting the. Seeds of personal power and creative equity in a small town. [event series speaker]. Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation. Adelphi University. New York, NY, United States. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEwUEl-i5ak
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2023). C-PAD Graduate Online Teaching Practicum presents: Life After Graduation-a Panel Discussion. [Panel discussion]. Center for Pedagogy in Arts and Design. Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru). [Conference Presentation]. University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). Graduate Research in Art Education. [Conference Presentation]. The Ohio State University. Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). Arts Integration Conference [Global Conference Panel]. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). International Graduate Research Symposium for the Arts Education Research for Cultural Diversity and Sustainable Development UNITWIN. [Conference Presentation]. Queen’s University. Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). The Inspiration Show with @alisoncohen27. [Guest]. Alison Cohen, Instagram.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). Seminar for Research in Art Education’s Graduate Student Lightning Talk. [event speaker]. National Art Education Association. New York, NY, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). Asset-based Teaching in a Trauma-filled World. [guest lecturer]. Clinical Practice I: AAE360. The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2022). The power or artmaking towards transformation: Macro and micro healing ourselves and community [event series speaker]. Artivism: The Power of Art for Social Transformation. Adelphi University. New York, NY, United States. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eof9CB2TsJc
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2021). Individual collectives [guest speaker]. BioEthics/Viral Imaginations COVID-19 Internship, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2021). Honoring survival, transforming the spirit [keynote speaker]. Gender Equity Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, (2018). Art in my pocket for inclusion [conference presentation]. Arts for Education Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2020). Counterstorytelling: Bring voices to the classroom [conference presentation]. Emerging Conversations Graduate Symposium, Revision & RE-Envision: Beyond 2020—Setting a New Precedent for the Future of Art Education in Uncertain Times, Art & Visual Culture Education, Tucson, AZ, United States. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H38GCzznTuQ
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2021). Feminist Pedagogy: Walking on the Edge [conference panelist]. Disruptions and Eruptions an Interdisciplinary Feminist Conference, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2020). Grounded: Environments in Flux [Pop-Up Series speaker]. Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2020). Eco-feminist artists Betsy Damon. [Pop-Up Series speaker]. Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2020). Why Art Educators Need to Connect to the Museum Spaces. [Pop-Up Series speaker]. Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA, United States
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2019). Welcome Artmaking! [guest artist] Residents Life, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2019) Technology in the Arts and all the Challenges that Come [conference presentation]. National Art Education Association Conference, Boston, MA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2018). Welcome Presentation for International Students [panelist]. Graduate Professional Student Association, Penn State University—as the delegate for the College of Art and Architecture, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2018). Stress Reduction Workshop through Creativity [workshop presentation]. Resident Life, University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2018). Global Wiki+Feminism edit-a-thon, Penn State Edit, and The Judy Chicago Art Education Collection at Penn State University [conference presentation]. University Park, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2018). How to Fund Your Art Programming in a District with No Money for the Arts [conference presentation]. Pennsylvania Art Education Association Annual Conference, Harrisburg, PA, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2017). Community Building Through Art Making—oil painting. [conference presentation]. Michigan Art Education Association annual conference, Grand Rapids, MI, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (August 2009). Painting Workshops [Workshop Presentation]. Bindu School of Art, Tamil Nadu, India.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2008). Creativity and the Leprosy-Effected in India: Why alternatives to Begging are Needed. [Keynote Speaker]. East Lansing, Michigan, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2004). The Power of Nursing: Why breastfeeding is Best for New Mothers [Keynote Speaker]. Le Leche League, Port Huron, Michigan, United States.
Leaym-Fernandez, M. (2002). The Art of Middle Eastern Women. [Keynote Speaker]. St. Clair County Community College, Port Huron, Michigan, United States.
Teaching & Consultant Experience
College Instructor---Macomb Community College | Warren, Michigan | 2023
Education Consultant (Certified Teacher, Art Education)—Michigan State University Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Broad Teacher Fellowship: Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Through Art | East Lansing, Michigan |2023
Art Educator (Certified Teacher, Art Education)—Port Huron High School, Port Huron Area School District |Port Huron, Michigan |2022-2023
Artist, Teacher, Consultant, & Researcher. (Certified Teacher, Art Education)—The Elephantworks Studio | Michigan, Pennsylvania, & India| 2006-present
Graduate Instructor—Penn State University | University Park, Pennsylvania |2108-2022
Teaching Artist (Certified Teacher, Art Education)—Alternative Middle & High school, Grades 3-8 | Flint Community Schools | Flint, Michigan, 2014-2018
Teaching Artist (Certified Teacher, Art Education)—Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies | Detroit, Michigan |2014
Teaching Artist (Certified Teacher, Art Education)—The Chatfield School |Lapeer, Michigan |2006-2012
Instructor Arts, Art Education, & Early Childhood Education—St. Clair County Community College |Port Huron, Michigan | 2001-2009
Art Instructor—The Flint Institute of Arts | Flint, Michigan | 1994
Related Experience
o professional development and public speaking, licensing, contract development, strategic planning, budgeting, board of trustee (non-profit) training, administrative program development, teacher support and curriculum development for all abilitied participants
o oil, watercolor, and mixed media painting
o drawing with ink & twig, pencil, conté, oil pastel, watercolor pencil, and various pens
o paper works including but not limited to paper making, cutting, manipulations, constructions, and making processes
o Japanese book binding and bound book transformations
o Sewing works including but not limited to doll making, clothing hacking, professional grade tie-dying, hand sewing, quilting, soft & hard sculpture, fabric-based book making, and basic machine sewing with fabrics and mixed media
o Sculpture works including but not limited to MIG welding, plaster use, found object, woodworking, Pysanky, cut stained-glass, and ceramics
o Education & Marketing Intern, The Detroit Zoological Society | Royal Oak, Michigan | 2012
Service
Ongoing service to the Field of Art Education through the free labor of multiple published works and art | 2023
Judge for The Graduate Exhibition, The Graduate School, Penn State University, University Park, PA, United States | 2021
Delegate for the Graduate Professional Student Association College or Arts and Architecture, Penn State University. University Park, PA, United States |2019
Graduate Art Education Association, (GAEDA), Penn State University. University Park, PA, United States Treasurer |2019
Interpreting (American Sign Language) for art project/video work by Elham Hejesmaeili Nooghi
|2019
Cub Scouts of America, Teaching Artist, led a tie-dye (procian, professional grade) project with over 100 Cub Scouts and their family members |2015
Rising Star Outreach, Volunteer Teaching Artist, meaning that I worked for two years to raise the funds to pay for myself and my husband, who I was required toto bring with me for my personal safety, while I did after school visual arts programming and painting workshops at the Bindu School of Art in Tamil Nadu. The school teaches and trains adult survivors of leprosy in painting |2009
Hispanic Council of St. Clair County, Teaching Artist, providing 3-week exploratory art classes for children in the Hispanic community in Port Huron Michigan |2008
Languages
English—native speaker and writer
American Sign Language (ASL)—conversational and some interpretation within certain fields
Memberships
The International Society for Education Through Art | since 2023
Founding member of the Penn State Chapter of the NAACP, State College PA | 2019-2020
National Art Education Association |since 2012
Michigan Art Education Association |since 2012
Pennsylvania Art Education Association |since 2018