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LEADING IN CURRICULUM,

ADVOCACY, AND TECHNOLOGY

To me, being a teacher involves so much more. It's not just about the topics and the students you teach, but also about your school district and the building a true program for the arts. Doing this creates a more well-rounded experience for students, and helps to embrace students of all types of intelligence and learning modalities. Integrating the arts into all subjects creates a pathway for creativity to exist in all areas of a students day, further supporting learning on a deeper level. 

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As a teacher in a school district, I pride myself on continuously working hard to make the program for visual art something students can enjoy and appreciate. Below, you will find some of the various things I have taken on in an effort to create a flourishing program at any school I have been employed.

POSITIVE CHANGES TAKE "HEART WORK."

Below are some examples of positive changes I worked hard to implement, beginning when I began my position at North Royalton. I think that these examples best showcase my work ethic and dedication to my professional efficacy and identity.

RIGOR IN THE DEPARTMENT:

  • The Problem: The course offerings did not include a high-level course that was more rigorous for students seeking a future in art. 

  • The Solution: As a department, we worked to design a brand new course called "Studio" that would be heavily student-led, but would foster the work environment students need when working on a portfolio for an art route at the college level, or honing in on a certain skill for a number of projects. 

  • Current Status: Studio has maintained 2 sections each year, and we have had students recognized in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition each year. Spring 2019 has been are most successful with one of our students earning a Silver Medal at the national level. 

RELEVANCE IN TECHNOLOGY:

  • ​The Problem: Many of the courses were quite traditional in style and subject matter, and the technology based course was using computers and programs that were nearing the students themselves in age. Technology is ever-changing and to me, this was unacceptable. 

  • The Solution: I worked diligently to propose a revamp of our technology course to the district, which included a move toward digital photography in an effort to receive grant funds for technology. This process took about two years to complete, but North Royalton's digital lab was updated with 26 brand new computers and 26 D-SLR Cannon Rebel cameras.

  • Current Status: Our "Digital Design" course has been changed to "Digital Photography & Design" and went from 2 sections per year to 5-6 per year. 

INCLUSIVENESS-- A COURSE FOR ANY STUDENT:

  • ​The Problem: The way that North Royalton's courses are organized in levels, the only "base course" a student could take without having any prerequisites in visual art was Art Foundations. This course is, by nature, very "freshman-heavy." The problem we as a  department began to see was that students who received their fine art graduation credit via band or choir, but then wanted to take art for enjoyment as a junior or senior, was left with one choice. From a high school student point of view, taking a course with 26 freshmen wasn't the most appealing. Que: Crafts.

  • The Solution: Crafts was a course designed for truly any student. It was not a prerequisite for any other course, but could be taken for a half credit and it was different than art foundations. Crafts was designed as a "flipped" classroom, where all projects, videos, and instructional resources were put in a Google Classroom and students would decide on projects and spend class working. The fun part was that theoretically, every single student could be working on something different and as their teacher, I am more the facilitator.

  • Current Status: Crafts has grown to a 4-5 section per year course and is still growing in popularity. 

CURRICULUM SHOULD BE CURRENT:

  • ​The Problem: Many of North Royalton's courses needed to be brought up to current educational methods and techniques.

  • The Solution: Over the last 4 years during my time at North Royalton, myself along with my department has worked tirelessly to redesign the curriculum for each and every class that we teach, bringing them "up to speed" with the way students of today learn. I feel that this experience has given me great perspective on what goes into designing a class, setting long-term learning objectives and goals for students, and creating a learning structure and agenda that is properly paced. 

  • Current Status: Many of our courses have grown in enrollment percentages. More students are taking an art class than before.  

ADVOCACY FOR THE ARTS:

  • ​The Problem: North Royalton High School did not have an art show. 

  • The Solution: I took on much of the planning, promotion, and logistics for the art show. Everything from deciding on and getting a date approved, to facilitating students in designing promotional posters and getting them out to the public, to organizing art inventory as students submitted work, to delegating and managing the show's overall look and organization. Over the past three years, I have systematized so many aspects of it, and it is a true joy to bring the arts to the eyes of the public and the community. The students, families and friends deserve it!  

  • Current Status: We have had 3 annual art shows, always in the spring. The show has grown from 150 pieces to about double that. We limit the show to juniors and seniors, and invite high-achieving sophomores to be a part of it as well. It has grown to be a staple spring event free to the public in North Royalton.    

NEW CHAPTER OF NAHS (NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY):

  • ​The Problem: North Royalton had a club called Art League, but it was mainly just a club kids could join to participate in after school art activities that were planned by the art teacher. It was basically like having another prep. It also did not provide students with an opportunities beyond high school. That's where our brand new chapter of N.A.H.S. began. 

  • The Solution: NAHS has grown over the years I have taught at North Royalton High School. Students are provided with volunteer opportunities, they are able to plan and promote creative activities for their peers to participate in, they help plan events including our annual Family Paint Night, along with the annual Junior/Senior Art Show, and also have the opportunity to take ownership and initiative in something that can benefit them in the present and also in the future.

  • Current Status: Students at North Royalton are beginning to see that art can be a professional route to pursue and several have graduated and gone to college to pursue a fine art or art related degree. 

COMMUNICATION & COMMUNITY

Advocating for a school district's art program is extremely important. By doing this, the arts are able to hold their intrinsic place in the community while often times creating opportunities for higher student achievement. 

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I have built and maintained websites as an art teacher as a way to communicate beyond the school's walls, showcase student works, and also create a reliable resource for students and parents.

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Below are links to the websites and accounts I have built and maintained as part of my position as an art teacher. 

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