Jeff Tollefson
Quito
Summary
Passionate participant in transformative, global education with over 25 years of international experience in the creative arts.
As an advocate for student centered learning and high achievement through the formative process of creation, I strategically partner with those passionate about innovative education, providing relevant and engaging curricular solutions and leadership. I also believe it is important to keep it funky.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and CEO
Creative Arts and Innovation, LLC.
09.2024 - Current
- Founded and currently lead an educational consulting and resource startup focused on partnering with educational institutions to design and support transformative learning experiences embracing the mindset that all students are creative artists and innovators of their own educational journey.
- Highly experienced in maneuvering and providing high quality solutions within complex educational environments and curricular frameworks
- Responsible for the continued development of bilingual curricular resources, and creation of the INSPIRE teaching and learning methodology
- Responsible for leading transformative professional development sessions to empower faculty at all age levels with teaching strategies centered around the mindset of creativity and innovation for today’s learners in tomorrow’s world
Fine Arts Director
Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito
08.2020 - 07.2024
- As part of the Senior Leadership Team, provided oversight, vision, and advocacy for the shared needs of Playgroup - Grade 12 Visual Art, Music, Dance, and Drama, including curricular and extra curricular development and innovation, budgetary needs, Fine Arts performances and event planning, and direct supervision and development of over 30 faculty members and its 1,800 students.
- Served as liaison and school lead for the Nord Anglia collaboration with The Juilliard School, as well as a supportive role in partnerships with IMG academy,MIT MIT, UNICEF, and the Global Campus international learning platform.
- From Aug. 2020 to Aug. 2023, the position also included the role of Athletic Director and the leadership, oversight, and development of our competitive sports program, and its over 400 students in grades 6-12.
- Communicated and documented performance targets, financial and revenue reporting,
- Prototyped and implemented innovative learning experiences, including design of physical and digital creative spaces.
Adjunct Professor - Music Department
University of San Francisco de Quito
08.2018 - 07.2020
- Established and delivered undergraduate coursework in music education
- Directed music ensembles, private instruction in trumpet, and jazz history coursework as a satellite school and partnership with The Berklee College of Music
Music Department Chair/Director of Bands
Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito
08.2007 - 06.2020
- Provided oversight, vision, and advocacy for shared needs of the Playgroup - Grade 12 Music program including curricular and extra curricular development and innovation, budgetary needs, performances and event planning and faculty evaluation.
- Research, initiate, and prototype innovative student learning experiences that are highly relevant to an ever changing, technology driven world.
- Communicate and document regularly to stakeholders goals, student learning, and forward planning as related to the school's purpose, direction, and values.
Director of Bands
Academia Cotopaxi, American International School
08.2000 - 06.2004
- Department Chair
- Direction of schools band program from grades 5-12,
- Instrumental and vocal ensembles performed over 15 concerts yearly, participating in community outreach concerts at local area public schools, malls and restaurants, as well as performing in the International Schools Music Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and La Paz, Bolivia
- Enrollment of band students comprised over 25% of the student population from grades 5-12
- Direction and engineering of all recording and audio equipment used to record and produce CD's of all concerts
Education
Master of Arts - Music Education
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas07.2013
No Degree - Educational Leadership
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona07.2007
Bachelor of Music Education K-12 -
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO06.1997
Skills
- Cognia International review team member (2024)
- Strategic Development, Teacher Training, and Evaluation in the Creative Arts
- Curricular Innovation, Technology, and Leadership
- Experience cultivating global curricular partnerships including collaborations with The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, UNICEF, MIT, and IMG sports academy (2020-present)
- As an educator, led nationally and internationally recognized and multi award winning music ensembles
- Developed the country's (Ecuador) first school based, academic curricular program in Music Technology, songwriting, and contemporary music performance (2008)
- Implementation and onboarding of the songwriting, music technology, choral program, drama, and dance programs within the Fine Arts curricular and extra curricular framework, including the operation and management of a best in class Performing Arts facility, and four Advanced Placement programs in music and visual arts (Colegio Menor 2008-2024),
- Visual Arts programs score consistently above the world AP average, (2020-2024)
- Adept at working with stakeholders to deliver high performing programs while proposing and maintaining healthy financial structures
- Extensive experience in the preparation, organization, and leadership of high level international student travel experiences throughout the Americas region, Europe and Africa, resulting in the most awarded and highly recognized performance ensembles in the country (Ecuador 2007-2024)
Languages
Spanish
Proficient
C2
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Founder and CEO
Creative Arts and Innovation, LLC.
09.2024 - Current
Fine Arts Director
Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito
08.2020 - 07.2024
Adjunct Professor - Music Department
University of San Francisco de Quito
08.2018 - 07.2020
Music Department Chair/Director of Bands
Colegio Menor San Francisco de Quito
08.2007 - 06.2020
Director of Bands
Academia Cotopaxi, American International School
08.2000 - 06.2004
Master of Arts - Music Education
Sam Houston State University
No Degree - Educational Leadership
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Music Education K-12 -
University of Northern Colorado
Outside of work interests
I enjoy travel and engaging in cultural discussion, hiking and summiting mountains (and volcanoes!), the occasional trail race and marathon, including an 80k North Face run I completed in 2012. I enjoy creating digital musical content and the occasional, professional live gig (trumpet/keyboard), as well as spending time and being present with my family, my wife Maria Ines, my son Mateo, and our dog Ellie.
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