Debra M Toure

New York State Certified Art Educator trained in a variety of creative disciplines including drawing, painting, illustration, sculpture, food styling, and culinary arts. Blends a foundational background in fine arts with over 15 years of experience teaching middle school, high school, and college-level / AP coursework. A passionate visual artist, instructor, and observer of the world with a focus on creating structured and integrative learning experiences.

Thoughtful and organized in developing a curriculum that is intellectually and conceptually engaging while also accommodating diverse learning styles.

Artist, Designer & Tutor at INDEPENDENT (2016 – Present)

Multidisciplinary work as an arts educator and tutor, stylist, designer, and visual artist.

• Instruction & Tutoring | Private tutor to high school students seeking art school admission. Worked with students to curate professional portfolios for college applications.
• Fine Art | Active painter and printer of giclée prints. Commissioned for multiple digital illustration projects including a middle grade book on travel. Authored and illustrated the children's book Warmth of the Sun along with a forthcoming memoir (in development).
• Interior Design | Leveraged culinary background to conceptualize residential kitchen designs and layouts.
• Food Styling | Stylist to various chefs featured on culinary segments for major television networks.
• Creative Community Building | Founded Feminist Salon as a local platform for discussing literature, culture, contemporary issues, and motherhood. Active member of the Writers Studio at the Center for Fiction.

Art Instructor at FIORELLO LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL (2013 – 2015)

• Developed the high school Visual Arts curriculum integrating AP Studio Art, Drawing Foundations, Color Theory, Introduction to Water Based Painting, Anatomy and Life Drawing, Advanced Realistic Drawing, and Illustration.
• Taught 3-5 classes daily integrating a higher education model of 50 to 90-minute periods 5X per week.
• Curated daily lessons and individual / group-based projects rooted in observation and individualized learning.
• Mentored AP-level students in building college-level portfolios with a thematic focus.

Curriculum Developer, Design & Technology at UNITY PREP (2012 – 2012)

• Created a Digital Design curriculum for newly established charter school catering to grades 6 to 12. Integrated hands-on projects and inquiry based approach to foster critical thinking and problem solving using 2D design.

Teaching Artist at NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY (2012 – 2013)

• Implemented a Visual Arts curriculum for K-12 schools throughout New York City, incorporating Social Studies, Art History, and Literacy through object based learning. Led weekly units over the course of 8-12 weeks.
• Facilitated AP-level Art History workshops with high school students.
• Structured projects around New York City history, encouraging observation, imagination, and creative thinking.

Teacher – 2D / 3D Design at NEW DESIGN HIGH SCHOOL (2012 – 2012)

• Taught 2D and 3D Design to ninth and tenth grade students, filling in full-time during mid-year staff leave.
• Introduced projects with a commercial design lens, infusing elements of contemporary and street art.
• Encouraged experimentation and play in the design process to engage students with varied backgrounds.

Student Teacher at P.S. 29 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / LEGACY HIGH SCHOOL (2011 – 2011)

• Worked with K-5 students to create a large-scale public art piece in conjunction with P.S. 29 faculty.
• Developed and taught unit lessons to high-risk teens at Legacy High School, integrating hands-on community learning with observation and technical training in Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media, and Art History.

Teaching Assistant, International Baccalaureate Program at WASHINGTON IRVING HS (2010 – 2011)

• Guided advanced art students through the curatorial process, gallery installation, and portfolio preparation.

Art Instructor, Summer Arts Intensive at SOMEA (2006 – 2006)

• Designed and taught a curriculum centered on Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture to students ages 6 to 14.

Teaching Assistant, Saturday Outreach & Summer Intensives at THE COOPER UNION

• Taught Printmaking, Drawing, and Contemporary Art during Saturday Outreach and Summer Intensive courses.
• Served as a portfolio reviewer for college-level program geared towards upper high school students.

Art Director & Food Stylist at GLOBAL BRANDS

• Styled over 400 video and photo shoots for print, television, and commercial advertising campaigns. Clients included CNN, CBS, ABC, Discovery, FOX, WPIX, Bravo, PBS, NBC, and Food Network.

Culinary Instructor / Corporate & Private Chef at INDEPENDENT

Clients: Universal Music Group, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Charles Dolan, John Johnson, Eight 8 LLC

MA in Art Education – City College

BFA – The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art

Certified Art Educator – State of New York

Certificate in Culinary Arts – Peter Kump New York Cooking School

Certificate in Anatomy, Biology – The Swedish Institute for Applied Sciences

Certificate in Children's Book Illustration – School of Visual Arts