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My mission as a visual art educator is to help my students become critical thinkers, problem solvers and leaders through creating art. By combining art history, art criticism, aesthetics and studio productivity into my lessons, students are able to learn artistic behavior, improve their appreciation of art and make real world connections to their personal lives. My vision is to help students foster a love for learning by implementing lessons in which each child establishes a positive identity as a successful learner and develops mental processes such as fluency, flexibility and originality.
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I began my adventure with public schools during my student teaching internship in 2006-2007. I can't speak highly enough of my cooperating teachers in the Kansas City, Kansas School District. Many of my experiences there have continued to shape the teacher I am today.
In 2007 I moved to Chicago, IL where I traveled between two south-side campuses. My philosophy of classroom management was developed during the two years I was there. I may still be at these schools today if I would have been able to handle the long Chicago winters. I moved to Austin in 2009, and began teaching at a wonderful elementary school in Georgetown, TX. I now share my time with another elementary campus in the same district and enjoy the leadership roles I am presented with at both schools. As my husband and I plan our move back to the Kansas City area this upcoming summer, the departure from my Georgetown schools will be truly bitter sweet. |
In 2005 I was luckily enough to get my foot in the door of the Lawrence Arts Center (LAC) in Lawrence, KS. It was such an amazing opportunity to become apart of a community that shared a deep love for the arts. I taught children's art classes after school and during summers that I still remember today, such as facilitating the creation of a studio mural, and running HogwARTS youth camps.
My knowledge of museum education was enhanced by working at the Spencer Museum of Art in 2006 and 2007. There I learned how to write and deliver tour scripts on special exhibits and permanent collections. I would then develop art lessons for children who participated in these special tours. Much of what I know about teaching art criticism to students I learned during my time working at this museum. I was very happy to finally get the chance of teaching in a community art setting again this past summer in 2013 at the Georgetown Art Center. I've even been able to serve on the education committee here to develop and plan classes, workshops, lectures and family events. I truly believe that nothing connects people together better than through the arts. |