PENNI RUBIN

3538 Ingleside Road

Shaker Heights, Ohio  44122-5002

(216) 751-2937

Pennirubin@aol.com          www.pennirubin.com                 Printable Resume

Summary
 
An enrichment specialist for over thirty seven years of outstanding experience in arts and science in early childhood and primary education, including: teacher, author, illustrator, lecturer and seminar speaker, musician, art teacher, private art tutor, computer program design, layout design and an award-winning artist of photography and gouache watercolors. Dedicated to promoting creativity through play, encouraging self-discovery in the arts and sciences, and building self-confidence in children through designing interactive learning environments. Interested in helping to promote science through outreach programs (schools and libraries) and help teachers discover how to help youngsters understand the world around them.

MULTI DISCIPLINARY EXPERIENCE
 

2000-2007

1999-2007

 

 

1998-2000

 

1970-1998

 

 

SHAKER &  CLEVELAND HEIGHTS REC. CENTERS,  classes for kids and adults in arts and science Cleveland Hts. & Shaker Hts., OH

THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Cleveland, OH
Developed four themes from Dynamic Dinos in Your Backyard and Beyond, incorporating interactive activities & special programming for birthday parties.

 

ORANGE/BECK FINE ARTS CENTERS teach art classes from preschool through primary grades     

                              

CRAFTY CUTIES PRESCHOOL CENTERS Shaker Heights, OH
Founder, Director, and Principal Instructor (3 locations). Responsible for total operations, including curriculum development, budget, and personnel decisions. Developed an educational program to expose children, (16 months - 4 years) to art, science, math, and music through creative play.

 

 

1995- 1997



 

1987-1990

CAETI (Computer Aided Education and Training Initiative) DARPA Associate Faculty Member, the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Evaluated intelligent systems developed for the DoDEA military schools. Determined efficiency of systems, suggested improvements to make system more effective in educational environments. Washington, DC

CLEVELAND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM (Resource development) Cleveland, OH
Exhibit Coordinator/Developer, Educational Supervisor, Training Specialist, Communication Specialist, Program Resource Person. Promoted the Museum’s mission of developing educational exhibits and conducting programs for preschool and elementary-level children in a variety of roles. Achievements include:
• Designed and constructed an award-winning exhibit, Music out-of-the-Ordinary, which traced the development of musical instruments through history and in many cultures. The exhibit offered museum patrons the opportunity to create instruments using recycled industrial products.
• Enhanced several exhibits by adding hands-on areas to allow the viewers to test the ideas presented using items and materials found around the house. Exhibits included Bubbles, Salad Dressing Physics, and Puppetry Corner.
• Trained volunteer staff to work with preschool and school-aged children and to use questioning techniques to stimulate thinking and reinforce learning.

1985-1998

ENGLISH NANNY & GOVERNESS SCHOOL (faculty member)
Developed and taught the Creative Play curriculum, a course that teaches students how to develop educational themes and build activities that incorporate science, math, art, music, creative movement, and dramatic play. Chagrin Falls, OH

1964-1971

 

2000-present

INTERIOR DESIGNER: Contract and Residential, Designed 14 classrooms and museum exhibits (Bonhard’s Interiors, Manheim’s, & Arnold Products) Cleveland, OH

RE-DESIGN business: “Worth Every Penni”                 Cleve. OH & Laguna & San Diego, CA                                 

1989- 1995 UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GS-11 Cleveland, OH
Author/Illustrator and Trainer. Developed the book "What's Under Your Feet?" researching & training scientists who work with children. Also presented Project S.A.M.M. (Science, Art, Mathematics, and Music) in Washington D.C. for primary teachers and science coordinators on integrating science, art, and math into a Whole Language learning curriculum. On-going help in developing poster & promoting Earth science with Laure Wallace, Dr. Eleanora I. Robbins, and Sue Russell-Robinson.
1991-1993 TRW, INC. and THE CENTER FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN Cleveland, OH
Director, Project S.A.M.M. (Science, Art, Mathematics, and Music). Developed a training seminar for primary educators and science coordinators on integrating science, art, and math into a Whole Language learning curriculum.

Delivered the program nationally (as far west as Arizona and Nevada) at all-day seminars. Audience size ranged from 50 to 250 people. Participants earned in-service training credit.

FIELD WORK
1989-1991

RICHMOND HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and Richmond Heights, OH

CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cleveland Heights, OH
Internship. Developed a science WONDER Lab, an environment for exploratory learning in the physical and natural sciences for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

MUSIC/PLAY THERAPY- EARLY HEAD START, Center for Families & Children Cleveland, OH

WONDERlabs-science discovery centers in Elementary Schools & Libraries

Volunteer- Lomond Elementary School, 1st grade publishing Shaker Hts., OH

TEACHER TRAINING- OAEYC & Ohio Kdg. Primary Conference (annually), and many more *See attachment listing recent seminar & program experience

EDUCATION THE CAPITAL UNIVERSITY Columbus, OH
B.A., Childhood Enrichment and Education, May, 1990.
 

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Cleveland, OH
Associate degree, Early Childhood Education, August, 1988
Computer Graphics courses (PhotoShop/Illustrator, Comm. Art) January, 1999

PUBLICATION

Composition 101 CD for photographers & artists, 2005                   

"Your Yard in 500 B.C.", Newsweek Magazine, June, 2004

"A Kid at Heart", Sunday Magazine, The Plain Dealer, January, 2004

Start Young”, Science & Children Magazine, October issue, 2002
Ergonomics for Kids DARPA, CAETI Web page 1996
What’s Under Your Feet, 1992 (U.S. Geological Survey), CD published in 1998
Rocks ‘N Stuff computer series, 1993 (Intellimation)
Math in Motion, 1993
Do–Re Musical Me, 1991
Recycle & Build Toys That Build Skills, 1990
Science in the Sandbox & Wonder-ful Stuff, 1989
Crazy Daze song book and cassette, 1984
The Instead of T.V. Newsletters, 1982
The “Mommy I Have Nothing To Do” Book, 1977

PERSONAL

Watercolor artist & potter. Photography judge and photographer. Enjoys traveling, writing poems, lyrics and composing music for educational children’s songs. Avid fossil hunter, practicing environmentalist and recycler. Sold 15 paintings to a Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.
LECTURER / SEMINAR LEADER

Present approximately 15 lectures, seminars, and workshops per year to early childhood professionals AEYC, day care providers, Head Start organizations, and parenting (PTO/PTA) groups.

  • Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), a non-profit organization that provides in-service training, educational seminars, conferences, and a variety of services for child-care workers (Ohio, Mid West, and National organizations), 1984-2000)

    (Nov. 1995- NAEYC in DC talk for Nannies)
    (April 1996- Sterling Corp. Day Care in-service, Fairlawn)
    (May 1997- OAEYC - Columbus)

  • KEYNOTE:  Licking Valley AEYC 10/96 , Zanesville AEYC 10/94 , Lorain County AEYC 10/96, Tri-Ma-Col AEYC '96 & '97, Kent State Ashtabula branch)
  • Ohio Department of Education, Early Childhood/ Preschool Conference        Col. OH   Oct. 1999
  • Ohio State Kindergarten and Primary Conference, Project S.A.M.M. 1990-1998
  • Opening speaker and faculty member for Creativity in the Classroom, a graduate seminar for Ashland College, 1993.
  • Training workshop at the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) and National Geology Teachers Association (NGTA) National conference, at U.S. Geological Survey, 1992.
  • Various Parent Teacher Associations, 1978-present.

 

EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Family-oriented, math, art and science-related programming includes: (and SUMMER PROGRAMS)

 

    

     •  Ten WONDERlabs for the Cleve. Hebrew Academy                                  Cleve.  Heights, OH 2005

     •  Monkeying around in the Rainforest Early Childhood Enrichment Center,  Shaker Heights, OH 2005                              

     •  The Rainforest WONDERlab,  Shaker Day School School,                      Shaker Heights, OH           2004

     •  Water Water Everywhere,  Carol Nursery School,                                     Shaker Heights, OH   2003

     •  WONDERlabs,  Cleveland Hts. Home school groups                                Cleveland Heights, OH 2002

     •  Roller Coaster Physics,  Carol Nursery School,                                         Shaker Heights, OH          2002

     •  CAMP S.A.M.M (science, art, math & music),  Orange Fine Arts Center,          Orange OH 2001

     •  SOUND OFF Science,  18 Cuyahoga County Libraries, Noble Road Library     Cleve. Hts  1999-2002

     •  Bones & Hard Parts,  Mercer Elementary School                                      Shaker Hts. OH  Jan. 2000

     •  Dino-MATH,  Heights Parent Center, Sussex Family Center,  Libraries,                OH 1998- 2001

     •  Creeping Crawlers,  WONDERlab, (all ages) JCC &  Cuyahoga Libraries,          OH 1994-1999

     •  Bubblific,  Shaker Heights Riverfest, Very Square Affair, Shaker Earth Day,  Black Family 

         Heritage Days, Shaker Hts. Regatta,                                                            Shaker Heights and Cleveland, OH 1989-2000

     •  Suitcase Science Bi-Weekly Programs, Uniontown “School-aged” after school         Cleve. OH,1997

     •  Dinosaurs,  Carol Nursery School,                                                                Shaker Hts., OH 1996

     •   Imagination Station,  special interactive WONDERlab showcases, Shaker Hts. Public Library

                                                                                                                                     Shaker Heights, OH 1996- 1997

     •  We Dig Science,  Family Fun  WONDERlab, (3/7 yrs.) Shaker Hts. Recreation,

                Shaker Heights, OH and JCC                                                                  Cleve. Hts & Beachwood, OH 1995- 1998

     •  Earth’s History & Habitats,  WONDERlab, (K-5th)  Noble Elementary,               Cleve. Hts., OH 1997

     •  Earth’s History & Habitats,  WONDERlab, (K-5th) Coventry Elementary,          Cleve. Hts. OH 1997

       The GeoLab,  WONDERlab, (3/4th grade)   Pepper Pike Elementary School,        Orange, OH  1995

       Land & Sea, WONDERlab, (K-4),  Parkside Elementary School,              Solon, OH 1994

  Fossils  and Bones, Laurel School,                                                              Shaker Heights, OH 1992

•  Corals, classroom presentation- Solon School District,                          Solon, OH 1991

      • Roller Coaster Physics, Shaker Gifted and Talented Association,          Shaker Heights, OH 1990

 

Music/Shows
  • "At Seven", a children's musical, wrote songs and lyrics, produced by the Toledo Rep Young Player's Series, 2006-2007.
  • Halloween Boo Festival, Cuyahoga Community College Western campus 1994-present
  • Bubbles, Bangles & Beelie Boppin', (science & music) OAEYC conference, Columbus, Ohio, 1990.
  • Evening Cabaret and Wearable Art Show, OAEYC conference, Cleveland, Ohio, 1989.
  • Mirror Mirror Show, Cleveland Children's Museum & school assemblies 1989-1992
  • Sing-a-song & Fool Around concerts, Kent State (Ashtabula campus), Shaker Heights summer festivals, Shaker Square Very Square Affair, Heather Hill Hospital, and Rainbow Babies & Children Hospital (Big Baby Bash), 1980-1990
  • Three concerts of original songs for the AEYC "Week of the Child," Wooster, Ohio, 1993.