Even though teachers often spend more waking hours with their students than the child's actual parents or guardians do, parents or guardians still play an influential role in the child's life. It is important to involve parents or guardians into the child's school life. Teachers and parents, working as a collaborative team, can truly further a child's success. 

I also developed a thorough behavior contract as a KTIP requirement. You can view the contract here.


Here are just a few ideas I have for involving parents with the art classroom:

• "Capture Their Child Creating," by snapping a photo of their child working successfully in the art room. Write a short compliment on the printed photograph and send it home to the parents, describing their child's progress in the subject. 

• At the beginning of the school year, send a note home introducing yourself and welcoming the parents to the new school year. Also provide contact information and emphasize that parents should not hesitate to contact you in case of any concerns or questions.

• Host an annual student art show, allowing parents and guardians to view student work, see their progress in the curriculum and talk one-on-one with teachers. I actually just held an Art Show and Carnival on April 25, 2014 at Paris Independent Schools. We had a wonderful turn-out and were to expose all students at the school (even those not enrolled in arts courses) to the arts via the carnival concept. For more information, please ask me. I would love to discuss this exciting event!

It is my personal goal to see all of my students - regardless of the needed accommodations - succeed in art. Whether the student is gifted, on the Autism spectrum, or blind, the art room offers them extensive learning opportunities. The arts increase a child’s capacity to learn in other academic areas, particularly in reading, writing and verbal communication. 

Working With ESL Students

There are plenty of ways to use art as a vehicle to teach English within the classroom. The visual arts allow for ample exercises that enrich student vocabulary and literacy without seemingly tedious repetition and paperwork. Artistic assignments allow for students to learn by what they see and associate. Additionally, these projects let students work amongst their peers with less language inhibitors. 

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SEL (Social Emotional Learning) & Therapy

My Master's is in school counseling and I am passionate about helping students feel positive and cope with the stresses of school and life. Throughout my career I have worked with after school programs as a counselor and mentor with youth in a variety of areas: suicide prevention, eating disorders, body and self image, bullying/harassment, LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma, and academic stressors.

I believe it is integral that we ensure students have good mental health and easy access to help when they need it. Only then can they truly focus on learning and growing within the school. In the past year I have done a lot of work with students through SEL and art therapy and believe that implementing more of these procedures and activities could greatly benefit schools.