EDUCATION ‍ ‍

M.F.A. Interdisciplinary Art, Maryland Institute College of Art (current-2027)

B.A. Art Theory & Studio Practice, Minor in Photography, Corcoran College of Art & Design (2012)

Learning Disabilities I & II Graduate Courses, American University (2016-17)

A.A. Humanities & Philosophy, Miami Dade Community College (2007)

Praxis: Principles of Learning & Teaching (2022) Art Content & Analysis (2018, 2021)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TAKOMA MUSIC SCHOOL MONTESSORI PROGRAM

Takoma Music School provides project based and arts integrated music enrichment Mondays at Breakthrough Montessori in Takoma Park.

Lead Program Director January 2025-Current

Design music curriculum and lead class of 30 students pre-k through 5th grades

Organize Session Performances twice a year

Communicate with families

Manage two teaching assistants

FUSION ACADEMY

Fusion Academy is a private school for grades 6-12, featuring 1:1 project-based and arts-integrated education for students with learning, social, or emotional differences.

Lead Art Teacher/Mentor, August 2024- August 2025

Teach a wide variety of visual arts, history, and humanities courses to high school students.

Curate and design school-wide exhibit

Lead teacher for selected students, point person for additional support and family collaboration

Lead two professional development sessions to staff

THE LAB SCHOOL OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Founded in 1967, Lab is a co-educational day school that serves approximately 385 students, grades 1 – 12, with language-based learning differences.

Director of Academic Clubs, History and Art Teacher, 2016 – August 2024

Teach an arts-integrated, experiential course on Renaissance history for fifth grade students with learning disabilities. For school year 23-24 I developed the curriculum to serve third grade students online with Lab’s Global Division.

Create and develop curriculum for my course and team’s

Lead the team of Academic Club teachers in culturally responsive curriculum building, best practices, and arts integration.

Budgeting and administrative duties as Director

Aligning curriculum with National and State Social Studies and Arts Standards

Attend student staffings and integrate strategies from the team for individualized learning and support for learning differences and special needs

Co-organizer of school-wide event “Identity, Arts, Music, and Unity” which entails bringing artists and musicians to present to students as well as organizing workshops for students to explore identity through art and music.

Organize the annual “Academic Club Festival” which includes student performances and an outdoor festival showcasing students’ art and learning throughout the school year.

Social Emotional Learning Teacher for Global Division, 2023-24

Follow SEL Curriculum and support SEL initiatives as set by the Director of SEL

Develop existing SEL curriculum for online learning

Lead an SEL Lesson once a week to elementary Global Division students

Train and support staff in implementing SEL and Restorative Practices

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Coordinator, 2020 – 2023

Supports DEIB initiatives as set by the Director of DEIB and assists with executing relevant strategies.

Supports the Director of DEIB to implement, monitor progress, and recommend adjustments in agreement with the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan.”

Serves as a resource for faculty with respect to curriculum design and student support; specifically, collaborates with both individual faculty members and departments to develop courses and curricula that include the study of race, gender, ethnicity, nation and nationhood, class, and religion and their intersections.

Acts as liaison to and develops strong relationships with the various diversity and

inclusion-related groups in division, and, in consultation with the Director of DEIB, Division Head, and Associate Division Head, to respond to equity- and inclusion-related issues among the student body as they arise.

Supports and develops student leadership in matters related to diversity, inclusion,

equity, belonging, and justice.

Responsible for organizing and coordinating division wide student Affinity Groups.

Designing and leading student heritage month celebrations and activities.

Leading professional development for staff

DEIB Initiatives:

Partnered with fellow DEIB coordinator and Director of DEIB to create and implement a schoolwide Gender Support Plan

Partnered with social workers and Dean of Students to review and improve student support and discipline

Partnered with Head of School, Associate Head of School, Director of Institutional Advancement, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and fellow DEIB Coordinators to create the Aaron Boose Memorial Fund.

Partnered with Junior High Division DEIB Coordinator and Dean of Students to create a workshop for teachers to explore culturally responsive teaching

Co-organizer of the White Antiracist Affinity and Action Group at Lab to support staff that identifies as white and non-Black or Indigenous People of Color in identity and liberation work.

Organizing guest speakers for presentations and workshops.

Designing and leading workshops for professional development and teacher training

Director of After School Program, 2021 – 2022

Manage budget, invoices, and employee timesheets

Develop programming and scheduling of enrichment classes

Lead team of 5 employees

Manage day to day activities, safety, and well-being of students and staff

FILLMORE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR THE ARTS, WASHINGTON, DC

Multimedia Arts and Music Instructor, 2011 - 2019

BENJAMIN STODDERT ELEMENTARY, WASHINGTON, DC

Extended Day Art Instructor and Director of Chorus, 2010 – 2017

FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS, HONORS

Leslie King Hammond Graduate Award MICA 2025

Rising Organizers Fellowship Fall 2025 Fellow, Spring 2025 Co-Lead

Aaron Boose Memorial Fellowship, The Lab School of Washington, “Intensive Policy and Curriculum Study of The Lab School” 2021 – 22

Lehman Grant, The Lab School of Washington, “Exploring Maps and Source Materials of Renaissance Italy,” 2016

2011, 2012 Dean’s List at The Corcoran College of Art & Design

2012 Critical Writing Award, The Corcoran College of Art & Design

2011 Featured in Juried Photography Exhibit, The Corcoran College of Art & Design

PUBLICATIONS

Anderson, Alida. Valero, Liora. “Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities’ Language and Social Skills through an Arts-Integrated Social Studies Club Approach.” Sage Journals, 2020.

Anderson, Alida. Farrand, Kathleen M. Dobson, Christine. Oakes, Wendy P. Deeg, Megan T. Valero, Liora. “Dramatic Arts Integration Practices for Learning and Growth Across PK-12 Development” Journal of the Arts and Special Education, 2019.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Breakout Session Presenter “The Revolutionary’s Tools: Arts Integration for Liberation in the Classroom and Beyond.” AIMS DEIJB Intersections Conference, 2024.

Co-presenter with Anderson, Alida. “Integrating Visual and Performing Arts into Academic Language Activities.” Center for Exceptional Children Convention, 2019.

Co-presenter with Anderson, Alida. “Influences of a Visual and Performing Arts-Integrated Social Studies Unit on Linguistic and Behavioral Engagement in Students with Learning Disabilities.” VSA Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference, 2018.

LANGUAGES

Native Spanish speaker (speak, read, write)

Intermediate proficiency German (speak, read, write)

Beginner French

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Volunteer, 2016 – 2020, The Playtime Project, Washington, DC

Various fundraising events with groups like 411 Collective and CodePink 2018-Ongoing