Ryan McKenna Resume Page 1 of 3

Ryan McKenna
1851 LILAC DRIVE SURREY BC V4A 6C7
T: 604-536-3848 E: mr.rmck@gmail.com

I am an interdisciplinary artist and art teacher. I would like to attain a position with
your School district as a TOC in order to help develop the artistic skills of Surrey
students, while simultaneously keeping my own art skills sharp and developing my
own skills as an educator. I am currently finishing my B.ED at the University of British Columbia as a Secondary Art
Teacher in August, having already completed my B.FA at Emily Carr University.
As an artist my main focuses have been stop-motion animation/stop-motion photography, life drawing, and ceramic
sculpture. Much of my work explores the identity of the modern urban Indian, deriving inspiration from my own
experiences and reflecting on historical and cultural sources.
I am passionate about my craft and hope to transfer some of my skills on to students while teaching from a position of
inquiry and social justice. While on my long-term practicum I designed a lesson plan for the senior 11/12 students titled
Create Your Own Contemporary Artist which asked the students to create a fictional artist and an accompanying piece of
artwork that they would display along with an artistic statement. The students then critiqued each others work using
stringent guidelines that kept in the arena of positive critique. I was very proud of the students accomplishments and I
was pleasantly surprised by the depth of their research and expression while being open and respectful to each others
ideas. This is why I enjoy adding components of art literacy to my lesson plans.
Even though I am trained as an art teacher I can contribute so much more to the school community. Currently I have been
volunteering extensively with Boxing B.C. and have reached Level Two with my refereeing. Within the school framework I
hope to apply my knowledge and volunteer in a coaching or supporting position with a wrestling or other sports team.
Finally, while I was an Aboriginal Support Worker with SD 36. I became very interested in Aboriginal education and would
like to get involved in this area. I consider myself to be a good role model for Aboriginal students and remember how
important a positive roll-model and ally can be for Aboriginal students.
Thank you for your consideration, I am available to meet at your earliest convenience for a more in-depth interview.

Sincerely, Ryan McKenna

Ryan McKenna Resume Page 2 of 3
Education

SEP 2013 - AUG 2014 UBC Faculty of Education, B.ED in Secondary Fine Arts
SEP 2008 - JUN 2013 Emily Carr University Animation Major
SUMMER 2010 Capilano University Animation Summer Intensive Program
SUMMER 2009 Gulf Island Film and Television School

Teaching Practicum

MAY 2014 COMMUNITY FIELD EXPERIENCE - Thunderbird Elementary
FEB 2014 - APR 2014 LONG PRACTICUM - Walnut Grove Secondary
As a student teacher, I taught Ceramics 10,Drawing and Painting 11/12, and Resources 9/10

Work Experience

MAR 2004 - JUL 2009 ABORIGINAL SUPPORT WORKER BC School District 36
As a Support Worker I was in charge of implementing cultural and educational programs for children
from the age range of five through eighteen.
MAR 2000 - MAR 2001 As a Teachers Assistant, I helped in the instruction of the class, the job also entailed some social work
which included home visits and strategies to keep kids in school and motivate them to complete their
high school diploma.
MAR 2000 - MAR 2001 YOUTH CARE WORKER
While working for the Langley Association for Community Living, I was an in home support- worker,
responsible for the well-being of a youth dealing with severe autism.
SEP 1998 - MAR 2000 YOUTH CARE WORKER
While at Nisha Family services I was a house parent / youth worker to a family of six children. My
responsibilities included looking after their physical and emotional well-being, giving out medication,
and budgeting for the household.

Volunteer Experience

SEP 2012 - PRESENT Boxing BC Referee and judge. Currently I have acquired my level two referee
SEP 2008 - PRESENT Kla-how-yeah and East Vancouver Cultural Center - Powwow dance instructor
Ryan McKenna Resume Page 3 of 3

Art Shows/Critique Vital
PORTRAIT SHOW - TARTINES CAF Showcasing academic style portrait and figure drawings APR 4 MAY 7, 2013
PUSHING BOUNDRIES - North Vancouver Community Arts Council Juried contemporary aboriginal art show OCT 11- NOV 16, 2013
MOONRISE FILM FESTIVAL AUG 15 17, 2013
THE SHOW - Emily Carr University Showcased art made for that year MAY 2013
TIFF STUDENT SHOWCASE FILM FESTIVAL Short-listed for best student animation in Canada APR 2012
THE ENCOUNTER - Emily Carr Film Festival APR 2012
ABORIGINAL SHOWCASE - CHARLES SCOTT GALLERY Ceramics and drawing works MAR 2010 & MAR 2013
NOVA - ANIMATED PROJECT FOR TRANSLINK Stop motion animation short DEC 2010
WALK IN HERE YOU ARE - Vancouver Library Installation audio/video DEC 2010 DEC 2011

IDENTITY GIFS Film Festival Short movie on aboriginal identity - Won award for best documentary SUMMER 2009

References

Elaine Barr E-mail: jelaine245@yahoo.com
Ph: 778-298-8080
Scott Gordon E-mail: giraffeman@shaw.ca
Ph: 604-625-3006

Mary Davies E-mail: fyresygne@gmail.com
Ph: 902-306-0309

Michelle Oram E-mail: MOram@sd35.bc.ca
Ph: 778-985-4909