Kim Mason
I am an AACPS: Teacher, Windsor Farm Elementary School | 2015 AACPS Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist
“I believe summer nears its end sooner for those of us who participate in the yearly growth and process of education, as students, parents and teachers. For teachers, summer is always a time we should expect to reflect, renew and prepare to re-engage through each of our roles in the educational system.“
Reflect
I arrived at my call to teach much later in life. I came with more “world” experiences than most new teachers, and with a perspective that remains engaged through each new day. I teach young students, through the Visual Art mediums, the processes and considerations for their visual world. I have been an Elementary Art Educator for 11 years. There is one thing for certain, and that is that change is a constant in education a as it should be.
While many large educational decisions are implemented from current political opinions of the time, there is an overall societal influence in the way our new students learn. It is a far different cultural environment then for the same age group just five years ago. Our young learners are essentially digital learners long before they will walk through their first classroom door, and maybe before they have learned some of the most basic essential life skills expected in their early development. They are most often familiar with the manipulation of many technologies, as well as the visual dialog that occupies their attentions through tech devices. I have witnessed this developmental change over recent years, beginning with my own children who were born when technology was gaining a foothold in a world of readily available “public” information in our homes.
Technology is a strongly visual medium, to say the least. Today, capturing young attentions can be a challenge to many who still feel that the systems that have been in place for the past few years will remain effective in stimulating student engagement in current curriculums. They often donʼt. I have witnessed this in my “Art Lab”, a place where there is freedom of choice through materials, and where project “seeds” based on artists, art history and multicultural expressions are designed for response and problem solving through individual interpretation and personal expression. It presents a challenge for most learners who want the answer fast and not who are not always equipped with the patience or the time to investigate options and different perspectives to form their own visual solution. These are much needed critical skills for their work-bound futures.
Renew
It is at this time each year that I make my plan of action to add to existing technologies used in my instruction in new ways. In the recent past, video demos and a student showcase blog were implemented. This yearʼs goal a allow the learners to take charge of their own digital mark through self-editing and reflection of their visual work through student maintained digital portfolios. The goal a to engage learners in a visual vocabulary that emphasizes the importance of integrity of effort and craftsmanship considerations. Skills all learners should have experience with to navigate our world with success.
Re-Engage
It is time to learn from the learners. Recently my “Art Lab” has been supplied with a set of iPads won through a contest sponsored by a strong community supporter of technology advancements in early education. I am grateful for the opportunity to have access to these tools as a means to engage the hands and minds of our future. I am thankfully charged and mostly updated. Time to power on!
