Krissy Canastar
Hopkinton
Summary
Creative, energetic, and collaborative educator with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Experienced in fostering student success through teaching and promoting theatre and the arts. Proven track record of meeting goals with consistent, organized practices. Adaptable and skilled in handling pressure and navigating new challenges.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Drama Teacher
Quinn Middle School
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide safe, calm learning environment.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Modeled creative acting styles and techniques encompassing varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Organized two school-wide drama productions, managing auditions, rehearsals, and technical aspects for successful performances.
- Managed Thespian society operations with elected students to promote individual thought and creativity.
- Cultivated a lifelong appreciation for the arts among students, instilling values of creativity, expression, and critical thinking through dynamic instruction.
- Instructed students on the history of theater, exploring key periods, playwrights, and performance styles from around the world.
Interim Director of Passport Summer Camp
Cambridge Montessori School
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Ensured camper safety through diligent supervision, risk management procedures, and adherence to established protocols.
- Arranged packed activity schedule with numerous outdoor activities, crafts and learning opportunities.
- Coordinated daily schedules for staff assignments and efficient use of shared resources throughout the summer season.
- Addressed any issues or concerns raised by parents professionally and efficiently, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Developed strong relationships with local community organizations to enhance partnerships and increase camp visibility.
- Maintained fun, learning-focused atmosphere by smoothly handling conflicts and developing culture centered around collaboration and personal responsibility.
- Oversaw team of counselors and support team members.
- Planned activities, events and field trips to enrich student development.
- Implemented comprehensive emergency preparedness plans in coordination with relevant authorities, ensuring the safety of all camp participants.
Drama Teacher
Ashland Middle School
01.2020 - 08.2022
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide safe, calm learning environment.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Modeled creative acting styles and techniques encompassing varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Organized two school-wide drama productions, managing auditions, rehearsals, and technical aspects for successful performances.
- Managed Thespian society operations with elected students to promote individual thought and creativity.
- Cultivated a lifelong appreciation for the arts among students, instilling values of creativity, expression, and critical thinking through dynamic instruction.
- Instructed students on the history of theater, exploring key periods, playwrights, and performance styles from around the world.
Drama Teacher
Wellan Montessori
08.2011 - 08.2019
- Implemented effective classroom management techniques to provide safe, calm learning environment.
- Planned lessons to reflect group and individual student needs utilizing creative instruction.
- Encouraged students to perform well and learn from failure.
- Exposed students to diverse content to build perspective in drama pedagogy.
- Modeled creative acting styles and techniques encompassing varied history genres and performance techniques.
- Organized two school-wide drama productions, managing auditions, rehearsals, and technical aspects for successful performances.
- Managed Thespian society operations with elected students to promote individual thought and creativity.
- Cultivated a lifelong appreciation for the arts among students, instilling values of creativity, expression, and critical thinking through dynamic instruction.
- Instructed students on the history of theater, exploring key periods, playwrights, and performance styles from around the world.
Casting Director
Beth Melsky Casting
09.2000 - 06.2011
- Evaluated performance reels thoroughly to assess potential fit within specific project contexts before extending audition invitations.
- Mentored junior casting associates by sharing valuable insights and guiding them through project-specific tasks as needed.
- Collaborated with directors and producers to understand their vision, ensuring the most suitable actors were cast in each role.
- Provided constructive feedback to actors during auditions, fostering an environment that encouraged growth and improvement in their craft.
- Liaised with publicists and press agents regarding actor announcements, contributing to the project''s overall publicity strategy.
- Utilized social media platforms effectively in promoting open auditions, reaching a wider pool of potential candidates for various roles.
- Nurtured a diverse talent pool by actively seeking actors from underrepresented backgrounds and supporting inclusive casting initiatives.
- Circulated breakdown notices among talent agencies and independent agents to search for perfect cast.
- Sent out audition materials such as scripts and sheet music about casting requirements.
- Managed complex scheduling demands, coordinating audition times among multiple stakeholders while minimizing conflicts or delays.
- Assisted with open auditions to fill smaller roles.
- Played an instrumental role in several award-winning productions, showcasing exceptional casting instincts and collaborative abilities within the production team.
- Coordinated callback sessions seamlessly when additional meetings or auditions were required to finalize casting choices.
- Developed comprehensive character breakdowns to communicate casting requirements clearly to potential candidates and talent representatives.
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Hopkinton Public Schools
08.2019 - 12.2019
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively, implementing clear expectations and consistent consequences for all students.
Bartender
Central Public House
10.2018 - Current
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
- Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
- Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Education
M.Ed. in Education -
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA05.2008
B.F.A - Acting
Marymount College
New York, NY05.1999
Skills
- Flexible and adaptable
- Thrives under pressure
- Excellent communicator
- Effectively manages time
- Conflict Resolution
- Interpersonal Communication
- Dependable and Responsible
- Critical Thinking
- Multi-tasker
- Microsoft Word
- Google Drive
- Veracross
- Powerschool
- Aspen
- IPASS
- Teachpoint
- Campbrain
- ESPED
- Flipgrid
- Google Workspace
- MS Office
Accomplishments
Creating The Wellan Montessori Drama Club (08/2010– 2019)
Founding Member of the Diversity Committee (08/2010 – 2019)
American Montessori Conference Presenter on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in children's literature(03/2017 – 03/2017)
Founding member of the C.A.R.E. Committee (08/2012 – 2019)
Certification
- Certified ESL Certification K-12
- Licensed Theatre K-12 Massachusetts
Timeline
Interim Director of Passport Summer Camp
Cambridge Montessori School
06.2024 - 08.2024
Drama Teacher
Quinn Middle School
08.2022 - 01.2023
Drama Teacher
Ashland Middle School
01.2020 - 08.2022
Substitute Teacher, K-12
Hopkinton Public Schools
08.2019 - 12.2019
Bartender
Central Public House
10.2018 - Current
Drama Teacher
Wellan Montessori
08.2011 - 08.2019
Casting Director
Beth Melsky Casting
09.2000 - 06.2011
M.Ed. in Education -
Lesley University
B.F.A - Acting
Marymount College
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