Meet the Fine Arts Chairs
Susan ClothierSusan is the Putnam City Fine Arts Department's Band Chair. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Music from Hardin-Simmons University. Susan has been teaching in Putnam City for 19 years.
In 2016, Susan was inducted into the Oklahoma Bandmaster's Hall of Fame, received the National Federation of High Schools Section 6 Outstanding Educator Award, and the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Small School Bands Award. In 2010, Susan was the Teacher of the Year at Putnam City North. Susan loves the opportunity to challenge her students to perform on a high level and achieve things they didn't think we possible. Susan says she identifies with the quote by Winston Churchill, "Never, never never give up." |
Lisa TaulmanLisa is the Putnam City Fine Arts Department's Secondary Visual Art Chair. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Lisa has thirteen years of teaching experience with five being in Putnam City. Lisa has taught a variety visual art courses including Ceramics and Advanced Placement.
Lisa's favorite art media to work in art clay, watercolor, and acrylics. She is also active in the Oklahoma Art Education Association including holding positions as Youth Art Month and Membership chair. Lisa loves working for Putnam City because the district supports and encourages the Arts. Lisa finds a quote by Thomas Merton applies to student art education, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." |
Daniel SmithDaniel is the Putnam City Fine Arts Department's Theatre and Dance Chair. Daniel holds both a Bachelor and Master of Art from Oklahoma City University, along with post-graduate studies at the SITI Company's Graduate Theatre Conservatory, and is an alumnus of the Teaching Artist Development Lab at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He has been working in education for twelve years.
Daniel is an Associate Member of the Society of State Directors and Choreographers, is a candidate for membership in Actors Equity Association, and is a member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab. Daniel's involvements and accomplishments are many, including collaborations with many Oklahoma theaters. He was also the 2014 recipient of the New York City Pride Award for philanthropy and civil rights work. |
Kimberly Scott
Kimberly is the Putnam City Fine Art's Department Elementary Visual Art Department Chair. Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and has taught at Ralph Downs for 12 years, kindergarten through 5th grade. In 2013,
Kimberly was the Teacher of the Year for Ralph Downs Elementary and in the top 5 for the Putnam City District. In 2014, she was the Oklahoma City Rotary Teacher of the Month. Kimberly's enjoys acrylic painting and photography while running her own business, Artsy Rose Academy, that focuses on visual arts enrichment for youth and adults. Kimberly enjoys sharing her love for art with her students and exciting them about using their imaginations to create their own work. She loves that all young children think they are amazing artist and have creativity and enthusiasm. Kimberly says, "Be positive, like the bump on a battery!" |
Brandy SittsBrandy is the Putnam City Fine Arts, AP, and Gifted Education Curriculum Coordinator. Brandy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and will soon complete a Master of Secondary Education with Gifted and Talented Endorsement. Brandy has worked in Education for 13 years with most of her career teach 3D Visual Art. Brandy has served as sponsor of the National Art Honor Society, as Youth Art Month, Membership, and currently Leadership Chair for the Oklahoma Art Education Association and is a member of the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education. In 2012, Brandy was the recipient of the Karen Kirkpatrick Youth Art Month Award and is the 2017 Secondary Art Educator of the Year and has also been featured through the Oklahoma State Department of Education as an Innovative Teacher.
Brandy's art media of choice are ceramics, metals, and oils. Brandy is involved in education and arts advocacy and is currently working on research she hopes will impact teaching of the whole child from a brain-based and arts inclusive perspective. "People feel really most alive when they are able to express who they are and how they feel." Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi |
Levi DobrinskiLevi is the Putnam City Fine Arts Department Orchestra Department Chair and Director of Silver Strings. Levi holds a Bachelor of Music Education, and is working to complete a Master of Administration/Educational Leadership. Levi is a member of the National Association for Music Education, American Music Association, and the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education. Levi has taught in Putnam City for four years at both the middle school and high school levels and says he values Putnam City's community support and open collaboration of the arts from our educators and amazing administration. Levi received the 2017-2018 OkMEA Young Music Educator Award and was the 2016 PC Rising Star Teacher.
Levi is not only an orchestra conductor, but an accomplished musician. He says, "An individual who wants to lead in life must follow the example of a conductor in the orchestra; they must turn their backs to the crown of popular opinion and the status-quo and lead with confidence, passion, and understanding to all who fall under their baton, inspiring them each day to give, do, and prepare at their highness level." |