Resume

EDUCATION_____________________________________________________________________________

Illinois State Licensure in K-12 Music Education (Highly Qualified) | 2015-Present

Masters of Music Education | University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul MN | 2021

| Masters Thesis: “Building A Foundation Together: A Multicentric Curriculum for the Early Elementary Music Classroom”

Kodály Mastery Certification | University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul MN | Summer 2019-2021

Kodály Mastery Certification | DePaul University, Chicago IL | Summer 2014-2016

Orff-Schulwerk Certification | DePaul University and University of Kentucky | Summer 2013, 2017, 2018

Bachelor of Music in Education | Summa Cum Laude | DePaul University, Chicago, IL | June 2015

| Honors Thesis: “Finding My Voice: A Hip Hop Curriculum for Students of Diverse Backgrounds” 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE____________________________________________________________

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools | Chicago, IL | Elementary Music Teacher

August 2019-present, Elementary general music teacher for ages nursery-2nd Grade

| Received highest formal evaluation rating consecutively: 2019-Present

| Design Kodály and Orff-inspired curriculum in collaboration with the N-5 music department to create cohesion across grades, adapted curriculum to remote and in-person through the covid-19 pandemic

| Co-direct and accompany Lower School (3rd-5th) Choir

| On the Dean(s) Hiring Committee 2021 

| Special-Area Chair, 2021-2023

| Member of SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) and WARE (White Anti-Racist Educators)

| Collaborate with the N-2 division special-area and homeroom teachers to create opportunities like monthly community sings, author visits, culture bearer performances, end-of-year celebrations, and social justice protests. 

California State University Bakersfield Kodály Institute| Bakersfield, CA | Pedagogy and Music Literature Professor

Summer 2024

| Designed and taught curriculum for 3-week post-graduate level course in Level II Kodály pedagogy and music literature 

Helen Keller Elementary School | Tinley Park, IL | Elementary Music Teacher (Tenured)

August 2015-2019, Elementary general music teacher for ages pre-K-5th Grade

| Recipient of early tenure: 2018, received highest formal evaluation rating consecutively: 2015-Present

| Designed the district’s standards-based music education curriculum with the Fine Arts Committee: 2017

| Established the Helen Keller 4th-5th Grade Choir in 2015.

| Differentiate instruction for students with a variety of needs, including students with special needs and second language learners.

| Implemented the use of technology in the classroom through coding and leading technology workshops 

| Created and organized performance opportunities with community outreach aligned to district curriculum including grade-level music concerts, assemblies, workshops, and local sports events. 

PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS________________________________________________________

"Demonstration: Building Cultural Empathy in a Kodály Setting"

| Organization of American Kodály Educators National Conference | March 2025

"Can I Kick It? Affirming Music Fluency with Hip Hop & Pop"

| AKTS & KMECC Chapter Workshop | March 2025

| Aileen's Music-Room Meet Up Virtual Conference | Feb 2024

“Come and Play the Kodály Way”

| Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America Conference | October 2024

| Michigan Kodály Educators - Kodály Summer Camp Workshop | July 2024

| Missouri Music Educators State Conference | January 2024

| Illinois Music Education Conference | January 2022, January 2020

"An Introduction to Kodály-Inspired Teaching"

| Albion College Undergraduate Workshop | October 2023 

| Northern Illinois University Undergraduate Workshop | Feb 2020, March 2018, March 2017, Feb 2023

"Let Children Lead: Framing Reflective Conversations Through Musical Play"

| Organization of Kodály American Educators National Conference| March 2023  

| Missouri Music Educators State Conference | January 2024

| Iowa Music Educators State Conference| November 2023

| Chicago Area Kodály Educators Workshop Trio | November 2022

"Building a Foundation Together with Inclusive Repertoire"

| Organization of Kodály American Educators National Conference | March 2022

| Missouri Music Educators State Conference | January 2024

| Iowa Music Educators State Conference| November 2023

| Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America Conference | October 2022

"A Joyful Journey: Inclusive Repertoire & Activities for the Kodály-Inspired Room"

| Kodály Association of Southern California Online Workshop | November 2022

| Tri-City Kodály Educators Workshop | October 2022

"Celebrating Differences: 6 Dances & Games to Help Diversify your Repertoire"

| DePaul Kodály Institute Special Topics | July 2022

“Conversations on Race & Equity With Practical Applications for the Music Room”

| Illinois Music Education Conference | January 2022 

| Chicago Area Kodály Educators Chapter Share | February 2021 

“STEAM: Musical Coding for Kids” 

| Illinois Music Educators State Conference | January 2019

“Finding My Voice: A Hip Hop Curriculum for Students of Diverse Backgrounds”  

| Hip-Hop Music Pedagogy Symposium, Wisconsin School of Music Association | August 2021

| Illinois Music Educators State Conference | January 2017

PUBLICATIONS_________________________________________________________________________

"Teaching Songs in a New Language? Tips & Tricks to do it with Confidence!" 

Mrs. Stouffer's Music Room Blog, Feb 4, 2025.

"Classroom Process: Re-Imagining SongLists in the Kodály-Inspired Music Room"

National Kodály Envoy, Winter 2024, Vol.50, Issue 2

"Sing This Instead!  Reimagining Songlists in the Elementary Music Room"

Illinois Music Educator Journal, Spring 2023. 

"Hip Hop in the Kodály-Inspired Elementary Room"

Midwest Kodály Music Educators Association Bulletin, Fall 2021

“Finding My Voice: A Hip Hop Curriculum for Students of Diverse Backgrounds: Part II”

Illinois Music Educator Journal, Spring 2016, Vol 77. _____. Minnesota Music Educators Journal Interval, Fall 2016

“Finding My Voice: A Hip Hop Curriculum for Students of Diverse Backgrounds: Part I” 

Illinois Music Educator Journal, Winter 2015, Vol 76__. Kentucky Music Educators Association Bluegrass Music News Summer 2016, Vol 67.4

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION & SERVICE______________________________________________

Award | Outstanding Emerging Educator, Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) | 2022

Service | Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America (MKMEA) | Board Member (Member-at-Large) | 2023-Present

Service | Chicago Area Kodály Educators | Board Member (President, President-Elect, Member-at-Large) | 2016-Present

Service | OAKE Equity Committee Member| 2022-Present 

Service | OAKE Harmonia Mundi Task Force Member| 2021-Present

Featured Article | "Storytelling through Music" | @Lab Magazine | April 2023

Featured Article | "When Music Works Its Magic" | Fund for Lab Feature | Nov 2022

Featured Article | “Community Sing invites grandfriends to join the chorus” | @Lab Magazine | January 2022

Featured Article |  “Future Teacher Aims to Change Children’s Lives Through Music” | DePaul NewsRoom | June 5 2015