Ramona Carrier: Teacher Presenter

Ramona was an awesome presenter to bring into class.  She was very knowledgeable about Special Education and was able to help answer some of my questions.  She was personable and easy to talk to.  However I felt that a lot of the conversations we had went off on really specific tangents that really didn't relate to the class in general, and were more for personal benefit from some of my classmates.

Ramona did a good job of trying to answer all questions, but sometimes it seemed to skew off too far from her planned presentation, leaving most of the class with unanswered questions or lacking in some areas of information.

She did however have some great information to give to us in handouts and website information.  I felt that I learned a lot from doing the simulation and will use much of what I learned in my own teaching and classroom to make sure I am aiding in the learning of all my students.  Many of the websites seem very up-to-date and will be useful in the atrium. I was happy to have her come in and take with us and I do feel like I was able to get some good information, even though there were times when it went off track.

Three Reasons Assessments are Important in Art Education

Assessment can be a difficult task for many teachers, especially in the Art room when many people find art to be for fun, rather than as an important building block in education.  But assessment is extremely important in all fields of education, even the Art room.

One big importance is through assessments, teachers can evaluate many learning traits and abilities of students.  A lot of the time students may be struggling in a general education class and  teachers may not know why.  Through many different types of assessments in the Art room, teachers can learn on a deeper level of what the student may be going through.  It is a way to see what a child is feeling and why they may be struggling with a certain topic.

Many of these assessments are also important for the student themselves.  It is a stepping stone for them to learn better communication skills through critiques, group discussion, and self-assessment.  Instead of just taking a test, art assessments give the student more control of their own learning and understanding.

One final reason assessment is important in the Art room is that it proves that Art is important in general.  Art is a vessel in which creating and learning blend together.  It is extremely  important for students to understand that they have a voice and can express themselves through art.  It validates the creation and process the students go through and makes them feel as if they have really accomplished something they can be proud of.  Knowing that their work is being graded and assessed, they will know to put pride in it and really strive for excellence.  I feel that if it was just a pat on the back then students wouldn't be willing to really put their hearts into their work, which is extremely important for learning and growth.

That is why I will assess my students in a variety of ways.

Jen Dahl: Teacher Presenter

I thought Jen Dahl was an amazing speaker and presenter for the class. She was relevant, fun, and very informative.  I felt that I was really comfortable asking questions and having discussion during her presentation and she was very welcoming of questions and answered very honestly.

I felt very strongly that Jen is a great teacher and I hope to be as excited about teaching and creating with my students as she seems to be.  I learned a lot about the atmosphere of the classroom as well as other tasks of the elementary teacher such as PLC, PD, and other meetings and groups involved within the education world.  I felt she was very knowledgable and helpful during her presentation.

I loved that she brought in example projects and is really interested in always changing her curriculum.  It shows she is still interested in creating new learning and engaging activities rather than getting stuck in a rut.  I hope that when I am in my own classroom I can be as inspiring as she is in her own classroom.

My Best Characteristic & How I'm Using it to Become an Art Educator

Thinking of what has brought me into the world of education, I reflect on my strengths and passions and use that knowledge to see what it is that in fact inspired me to begin.  I find that one of my greatest characteristics that has influenced my decision to teach is my passion to open doors that may not be available to all if the opportunity isn't presented.  I find that I have a deep seeded need to allow and influence change in the world and through art that change can be explored and utilized in ways that are reachable by anyone.  I want my passion for kindness, acceptance, and peace to influence my students' learning and development.

I have a strong sense of gratitude toward my teachers for giving me the opportunities to learn about so many different things, and I feel that in education, I can in turn give back to those who need it most.  I am passionate about inspiring and opening the minds of our communities' youth and hope to be a positive influence in their lives.  I want all of my students to feel powerful, to feel important, and though the creation of art, I feel they will find that strength.

Not all children will have the same experiences outside of my classroom, but in my classroom it is my goal to create the most equal, compassionate, and fun filled atmosphere my students can have.  I want my classroom to be a safe space, where expression and optimism can flourish.  And I feel that my characteristic of compassion will aid in that goal.

My mother was a teacher and seeing the way in which she has inspired so many lives is a blessing to me.  She has been an amazing role model and guide in my teaching experience so far, and I own much of my compassion and caring to her beautiful example.  It was she who first inspired my love of education and who has continued to help my love for teaching to flourish.