I failed to discuss in my previous post about how I feel graduate school was assisting me in my current teaching practices. I feel that this past summer, my studies in contemporary art has opened many outlets that I am eager to show my students. I feel that it is imperative to expose them to a wide array of movements and artists outside of the “traditional” realm of art. Recently, I showed some performance art by Yoko Ono and also some of  installations by Jean Claude and Christo ( students especially liked the umbrellas and wrapped islands)! These works opened up big conversations and discussions for us and students were eager to share their opinions. It seems “inquiry based learning ” is the wave of the future, I would like to know how to encourage more discourse through inquiry in the classroom. When teaching, I try to integrate always, a component of art history and/ or a movement or artist. I have also began conversations with classes about the vast professional opportunities the arts provide, such as digital design and communications, musical endeavors, museum studies, graphic design, tattoo artistry, etc…

I have taught at an alternative high school for five years now. The population is diverse, challenging and attendance is a growing issue. I try to form relationships with students and am always on the lookout for “teachable” moments, which are never lacking! For example, I think as teachers we wear many hats. Daily, I wear the hat as a mother, friend, nurse, administrator etc.  I would like to learn more about choice based learning and gain interesting ways to integrate “choice” into my teaching without the classroom environment becoming unmanageable. With this population, I must modify lessons and allow for individuality and opportunity to flourish.

Technology is lacking in my department, however I took a google applications class before I entered the program and have found it most helpful in organizing and planning in the classroom. In our current studio class, I am finding it very enjoyable to maintain my own practice and be able to document it digitally. I am very intrigued by “blogging’ in itself and think it is a great segway to sharing experiences and artworks with a class. Last year during a professional development session, the topic of tweeting came about. Apparently, it has become widespread within my district and all staff is being encouraged to “tweet” daily. This is something I look forward to setting up and sharing with the kids (although I am still working on setting up my school website)! I would also like to learn more about the community based art movement as we touched upon these ideas in Jessica Posers class, it seems like the up and coming trend?? I am really hoping that this coming semester we can explore our own practice more and investigate STEAM integration within lesson planning also. In the past, I  have always found Olivia Gude’s ideas about the 21st century classroom enjoyable to read and Elliot Eisner very helpful. Rolling, I struggle to decipher…….