AP Studio Art

Ahh, it feels good to be home. I just spent the last week at Goucher College in Baltimore learning about AP Studio Art. Before I started working at Peninsula Catholic High School, I didn’t even know that existed. No, I don’t live under a rock, but I swear no one ever told me about it before, even when I was learning the teaching ropes at ODU.

In any case, even though it was a long, super busy week and I got little sleep due to the insane amount of work I had to do and the really awful mattresses at the dorm, I learned so much and met some amazingly talented people. Goucher College is a really beautiful place and other than the crappy dorm mattresses, the facilities (and food) are wonderful. I had a really great teacher, Joann Winkler, who has been teaching AP Studio Art for many years, is a reader (one of the people who rates the portfolios submitted) and an instructor for those of us learning about the AP Studio Art process. She gave us so much good information and ideas. I was really doing a lot of complaining about having to spend a week of my summer away from my husband and son and it cutting into my vacation time, but it really was worth it.

4th of July!

For the past few years we have vacationed at my family’s cottage on the Rappahannock River in Dunnsville, VA for our Independence Day weekend.  We were there again this July with all of my family (Mom, Dad, sister & her family, & brother & his family) and our good friends, the Powers. This year, now that my son can swim and I don’t have to hover over him 24/7, I took full advantage of the extra large raft with pillow and cup holder that I recently bought at good ole Walmart. Very relaxing!!!

Every year there is a local parade on the 4th (it’s really just a neighborhood parade involving the people who live on Grandview Rd, but it has become a fun tradition). Last year my dad and brother made, yes, I said MADE a covered wagon that could be pulled behind a lawnmower. We decorate it and fill it with the grandkids and that’s our contribution to the parade. Fun times!!! Here are some photos from this year:

Here's my brother driving the wagon.

The grandkids (along with my sister and sister-in-law) in the wagon.

One of my nieces (my brother's oldest daughter) ready to celebrate.

And this is the photo  that I’m sending to  I Heart Faces (www.iheartfaces.com). The theme this week is Red, White, & Blue. This is my first time sending them a photo, so I hope I do it right!

Getting ready for the parade.

It’s been awhile…

That reminds me of a Codeine song. Now I’ll be singing it all night. Anyway, it has been awhile since I last posted anything. I kind of forgot about this blog once school was over. I’ve decided to turn it into my “art and stuff” blog where I can post whatever I want about my life, my family, my thoughts, my art, my teaching experiences, etc. In the next few days (or maybe it will take me a week…who knows) I will be updating different parts of this blog. Now that I have a teaching job, I need to update the About Me section and my resume. I also have some photographs to post!

 

Last Day

Today is my last day of student teaching, and it is hard to believe it is over. I really enjoyed my time at both New Castle Elementary and Churchland High, and I feel like I learned so much from Ms. Fowler and Mrs. Graham. I feel so fortunate to have been placed with both of these excellent art educators. They both love what they do and were passionate about mentoring me. Thank you ladies! You are the best!

Moving Forward

My last day of student teaching at New Castle Elementary School was on Friday. I had a really great experience there. Anmarie Fowler was a great mentor and I feel that I learned much from her.

On Monday I began my new placement at Churchland High School in Portsmouth, VA. This is my 4th day there and so far it has been great. It is a big change from elementary school, however. I only have 3 classes compared to the 25 I was teaching at New Castle. The high school uses a block schedule with which not having set foot in a high school since 1989, when I graduated, I was unfamiliar. Instead of seven 45 minute classes, like I had in high school, the students have four blocks, each being 1 1/2 hours. They take 4 classes in the fall and 4 different classes in the spring.

My mentor for this placement is Melanie Graham. In the fall she teaches Art 1 and photography. In the spring she teaches  photography  and  photojournalism. We get along great and I feel very comfortable learning from her. She has already given me many helpful tips. I really have no experience working with high school students, having always worked with elementary age children, so her advice has been much-needed. So far, I love working with high school students. As of now I am observing and getting to know the students. Next week I will interact even more and then begin teaching Mrs. Graham’s lessons. I’m very excited to be here. I especially love being in a school in my own neighborhood!

First Day of Student Teaching

My first day of student teaching was GREAT! I LOVED it! This is exactly what I want to do!

My Favorite Place to Sit

Spiritual, Inspirational, Beautiful. I want to be suspended in its depth and listen to it speak to me.