Filiz Soyak

About Filiz Soyak

I am passionate about making positive impact and change through art, education, and design. I\'m an artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur. In the past I\'ve provided education strategy, curriculum content, and program-development services with a mission on making a positive social impact. I have also run a mixed use creative-retail-studio space, and now work as an artist and designer creating mixed media art (fiber, painting, installation) for collectors, interior designers and hotels. My most important role to date, which informs all of the above, is being a mother to two awesome kids! My diverse 13+ years in education span from the classroom to the boardroom. I\'ve taught in pre-K-12 classrooms and at the university level, in the US, Middle East and Caribbean; developed curriculum for all age groups and subjects; worked with special needs students of all ages. Prior to founding Paper Crane Education, I spent 4.5 years at CarrotNewYork building award-winning education programs and products on behalf of government organizations, non profits, and corporations. I\'ve seen the various shapes effective education can take and truly believe in the power of education to make a difference. I get excited about creating memorable education experiences around important social causes for global brands, non profits, and government organizations on financial literacy, digital citizenship, oral health, nutrition, and environmental activism, that reach and empower millions of kids and communities. At my core I\'m a creative entrepreneur. My work has been exhibited and collected internationally. Art and design are global languages that can capture, communicate, and connect stories, histories, communities, and cultures. In my spare time you\'ll find me working in my studio, collaborating with other creatives, planning my next trip to a far off destination, recreationally building IKEA furniture (doesn\'t everyone!), and day-dreaming of living in a tree house.

Experience

1. Founder, Education Strategy Consultant

   Paper Crane Education

   Oct 2015 — Present

   Offer independent education consulting services including: education project management, strategic planning, creative content + program development (cross media learning, curriculum, activities, events), behavior change, practical pedagogy, impact assessment, expert team building (educators, subject matter experts, writers, editors, creatives), LMS content, education marketing + outreach, and new business development.

Education

• Lesley University

  M.Ed., Visual Art Education

  2006 — 2008

• University of Vermont

  B.A., Studio Art (minors: Business, Japanese)

  1997 — 2001