Alissa Peterson: Blog II

I believe I have gotten better at lesson planning and incorporating art into the classroom. I have always been able to lesson plan but the more practice you have of course the better you will get so it is very nice to have this extra experience. I think I have also grown to know what children like to do best and what really keeps their attention, more of visual art and not music and movement.

I have really made strong connections with a lot of the children. When I have been in there in the past, I was being graded as a part of my classes so I had to be the teacher and not just observe and teach art, a lot of what I had to do was more structured but now with bring all art activities in, the children really open up and see to enjoy them. I have gotten to know a lot of the children on a more personal level and not just as a teacher which has been nice. It has also been nice to see how the children have grown since I had them last semester for my class.

A lot of the children remembered me from before so that always is nice. Another thing that has really made me happy is how excited the children are when I bring out the art project for the week. They do a lot of other art throughout the week, but my art does not usually relate to their theme, so it is more of a free time art than anything else. Some of the children really enjoy the art projects that I bring in and they open up and have very different conversations about what they are doing.

I would like to create a few harder lesson plans for the end of the semester. It is kind of hard to find something that will be a challenge but not too hard since all the children are at different places, but I am interested to see. I think it will be interesting to see how much they improve in just a semester so I am excited to see that as well by bringing in something challenging.

Sierra Thomfohrda: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

Throughout this internship my lesson planning and adapting skills have grown. I have learned how to plan an engaging lesson, as well as learned how to adapt that lesson in many ways. From engaging students who are not interested in the media, to students who have different abilities. It has been challenging getting students interested and thinking about the context of projects and I think that is one area that I have grown most. Even if they are using markers and plain paper rather than the media being taught, I talk the student through questions to get them thinking about the content. I have found that most often students become engaged once they are able to connect the context to their own life.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I am beginning to understand that in my role as an art educator I am responsible to teach about the elements and principles of design, art history, ect, but I am also responsible for connecting with each student. Taking the time to sit next to a student and help them with their art, but also ask about their day, or weekend. Some of the strongest connections I have made with students this semester have been when I sit next to them to help with their art, but also just listen to what they have to say. Connecting with the students is building a better classroom rapport, and helping me be more in tune with how to address classroom management and knowing why students might be misbehaving or what that students needs to get back on track.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

So far in the internship, I feel the most satisfied when I make a connection with a student or feel that I the students were engaged and absorbing the information. After leaving for the night, and reflecting on how that session went, I feel proud if I was able to manage a behavior situation or talk through a problem with a student. When we made bubble paper, the room was a disaster, but the students were well behaved, experimenting with materials, sharing ideas, and having so much fun. That was one of the most rewarding days, to see the students so engaged in their creations.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would definitely like to improve my classroom management skills. During the class students have a hard time interacting with each other in a positive way. I am currently and would like to continue to develop my classroom management skills in building a class community where students interact positively and support each other. I am not sure what to say in situations or how to redirect students into positive interaction. Another thing I want to develop more is knowing what will help students when the need time to regroup.

Eva Peak: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

First, I have learned more about classroom management and guidance for a class that is less structured than the internships before. There is still this management, but in a different way than teaching a new lesson every week. In addition, I have learned that demonstrations are still important even if the children are familiar with what they are doing. It is always good to remind them how much space should be between tiles, what colors go well together, etc.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

Having a class that is more free flowing taught me how to give important guidance, as well as taking a step back and letting the students learn through experience. For example, having them help pick what color a flower should be if the colors around it are more cool colors, and things of that nature.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

What made me the happiest about teaching this quarter was not only see the mural come to life, but also seeing how excited the children got seeing it grown, or even just finishing one flower.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would like to improve my classroom management by the end of the semester. This experience is giving me a different way of organization that I can apply to a more structured class as well, so I would really like to practice my skills in that area.

Leah Corso: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I feel I have grown so much as a teacher. I have learned how hard lesson planning can go and the process of making needed materials. I have also learned that for older children classroom management can be more difficult. However, my experience has given me more confidence that I am in the right major. I really enjoy coming up with new ideas for lessons and seeing the children’s reactions to what they do. I also enjoy interacting with the kids each day.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I have learned that some children will take more time to get through to and it pays to be persistent. I also am learning how important classroom management can be. Many kids who come to our class in the Boys and Girls Club have been at school and want to go home, so they are not always thrilled to be there. This means that I have to put in extra effort for them to enjoy our lessons. I also learned that some students enjoy messing around and trying to get a rise out of myself and Leona, which again emphasize classroom management.  We are in charge of this placement and we need to have confidence in ourselves. We both understand that we will not always be the teacher every child loves.

For the CFSC I understand that my role is not a lead teacher but an assistant teacher. It gives me great opportunities to see how I want to run my classroom. I can step back and be both an observer and assistant.  I also enjoy interacting with the younger children. They are always happy to see me and always ask me to read to them and play with them. They are learning something with everything they do. I am a role model to them and I feel important to them. I also have become very aware of how the classroom works and the flow of the day.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

I am the happiest when students tell me that they are happy to see me or they had fun with our lesson. I feel like I’m doing my job and I’m making an impact in their lives. I understand that won’t always happen, but my goal is to make kids smile and learn without realizing it.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would like to work on going out of the box with some of my lessons. I want the students to explore different aspects of the internship descriptions that they may not have explored.

Leona Sonnentag: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I have grown because I think that I have gotten a little better at classroom management.  I now understand the importance of setting boundaries in the beginning of the class so the students understand what we expect behavior wise.  I have also gotten better at understanding that if someone is misbehaving it is probably for a reason other than just the class. Simply talking to them one on one and showing that you care can really make a difference in students attitudes.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I have a better understanding about how important setting boundaries in the beginning is so you can start building relationships instead of worrying about behavior every day.  I also learned that you can’t just be worried about being everyone’s friend because you won’t get anything accomplished and that’s not important anyways. What is important, though, is teaching and making sure the children understand what you are saying.

 What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

What makes me happy about teaching is when the children get enthusiastic about what we have planned.  I think it helps the day go a lot smoother and when they are excited about what we are doing they willingly participate which is great!  It also makes me happy how well me and Leah work together, we are both super flexible with each other and the plans.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would like to keep improving my classroom management skills.  I still struggle with that a lot. I would also like to improve my lesson planning and becoming more creative with ideas for the course.

Marissa Pilney: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?
The most important thing I have learned so far is that your lesson plans can play a large role in behavior management within the classroom. In other words, if your students are truly engaged and interested in your lesson, there will be less behavior issues within the classroom because they are truly interested in what they are doing. Along with that, when the students are interested in what they are doing and care about it, they will learn more from that lesson. This is a concept I have always known, however it has become more apparent to me when teaching this group of children. When we find something that the kids are really fascinated about and think is really cool, they will spend more time on that and less time with behavior problems.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?
Through my classes I am taking to become a teacher, I have heard that the role of a teacher can be different, depending on what that teacher’s philosophy is and how they think they can best teach their students. I had not developed my own teaching philosophy yet, but I think this internship experience is helping me develop one. As a teacher, I would like to find ways to include whatever my students are interested in as a part of our lesson. This would get the students more involved in their learning, and I think it is the role of the teacher to make sure their students are as engaged as possible.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

The kids are truly what has made me happy about teaching this semester. I have been able to get to know each and every student, and they are all so special and unique in their own way. Some of the students had more challenging behavior at the beginning of the semester, and I have seen them improve greatly already, which has been really exciting for me to watch. They are great kids and make me want to come back to work every day.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

By the end of the semester, I hope that I have found new and exciting lesson plans for the kids that really get them all engaged. Many of them are really hands-on learners and don’t care for the classic painting or drawing art lessons, so I want to challenge myself to find new and different art lessons. By the end of the semester, I hope to show my students that art can go way beyond just drawing or painting.

Nicole Siedler: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

As a teacher, I have grown from this internship experience because it has given me a better understanding of how mosaics work and what the process is when you get closer to the end of a mosaic mural. We are hoping to get the mural done by the end of April, so seeing the final steps is really neat to see because this material is still very new to me.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

The new understandings that I have about children in the classroom of a mosaic mural is that it can be a little difficult because it is very easy to lose the children’s interest because they are so young. One of the things that I learned from this internship is that it is difficult to use mosaics with young children because they have a tendency to lose interest. I have learned that my role as the teacher in this specific classroom is to make sure the children are still learning, but also keeping the children on track so they don’t get distracted.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

One thing that has made me happy about teaching this semester is the fact that this mural is almost complete and it will be installed in the UW-Stout Library for years to come. Another thing that makes me happy is the excitement that the kids have when they get to come and make art out of an unusual material.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

One thing that I would like to work on improving by the end of the semester is getting the children to continue working on the mural without wanting a break or two during the work time.

Sara Sampson: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I think my skills and understanding of teaching has expanded throughout this course so far because I am pushing myself to explore new lessons and techniques. Since I have taught this course before, I have been able to expand the lessons and better plan out time management. The students are responding more positively to these lessons because of the choices available for them. I have been able to use different forms of demonstrations which keeps the class interesting and not too repetitious. Overall, the growth I have found as an educator has excelled student learning.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

Throughout this semester (along with last), I have found how different each class is. Every class I have taught through the jail has brought new individuals, new skill sets, new and different backgrounds/experiences, etc. Therefore, I have  created an understanding on how well I need to know my students in order to have them succeed. Since I have students ranging in age, ethnic background, and experience, lessons are be difficult to plan in order to involve every student. Therefore, my professional experience is has grown because I have learned that education does not only take place in a school or classroom.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

So far, I have been very excited to go to my P.A.I.N.T. location each week. The thing that makes me the most happy throughout this experience has been getting to know the individual. I am fortunate to go into this class blindsided by only knowing these individuals from their current state instead of their past. Even though they are currently serving time in a jail, doesn’t mean these individuals have nothing to offer for themselves, their loved ones, and the community. Therefore, helping them set goals and ambitions to succeed in and watching the students surpass them has been extremely rewarding.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

One thing I would like to work on throughout the semester would be working on a collaborative piece. I want the students to work as a team and get to know each other while working with a medium they are not completely familiar with. Because so many projects are individual and work with self-growth, I would like to improve relationships between one another. Throughout this course, we rotate throughout 3-4 groups. I am hoping the last week of each group we will come together and work on a large scale canvas to work as a team.

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)

I have gone out of my comfort zone in this course as an educator. I took on an internship at the jail for art therapy which is something I have never taught before. I am very interested in the topic and how art can help cope, create relationships, reflection, and personal growth. Because of my lack of experience in art therapy, my teaching experience has grown through new lessons and techniques. Art therapy is something that allows students to come in contact with what they are feeling. This experience has given me many different lesson plan ideas for my future in the world of art education.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I have a new understanding of how to teach individuals of different ages. Most importantly, I have a new understanding of how to incorporate emotion, creativity, and reflection into lessons. This experience at the jail has helped me realize how important art is to an individual and how much art communicates about a person. Every day, these students are creating visual communication with anyone who is willing to look into the conversation wanting to be had. Each student is experience different life obstacles from each other which makes my role as an educator extremely important. I am there in hopes of guiding the students toward reaching goals.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

I enjoy coming in every day and seeing the students want to be in class. Being that this course is taught in the morning, many students are tired and want to be back in bed. For this class, they are ready when they walk through the door. The students love exploring new projects and have done an excellent job working throughout class and really following the project to the best of their abilities. Foremost, I am delighted to how skilled and talented these individuals are. Throughout my time teaching at the Dunn County Jail, I have seen amazingly talented drawings made from as little resources possible. These individuals are innovative, thoughtful, smart, reflective, and not to mention CREATIVE.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

This is the first section this semester that I have co-taught. I really want to be able to work better with my partner in teaching lessons together rather than rotating. I think we would looked at more as authoritative or the leaders if we consistently approached the class as one instead of separate. It doesn’t play a role in the discipline or content that the students are receiving, but developing a lesson with an individual is difficult and it is something I need to work on. Again, I hope I am able to work more on my classroom management skills. It seems like the inmates are so well behaved that classroom management is not as needed as it would be in a classroom. It seems like when there is an issue in the classroom I do not always handle it in the correct way.

Vanessa Lee: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I have really grown as a teacher this semester considering how much I have gained in skills and understanding. I know so much more now about how a classroom operates efficiently. I feel like I have gained experience in classroom management just by having consistent experiences with the same groups of kids. I have really grown in my lesson planning skills as I have the chance to learn about the sort of things the children like doing. I love being able to tailor my lesson plans to their interests!

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

So far in my internship, I feel like I have a very valuable role in the classroom. The students look forward to me coming in and ask me: "What art project are you doing with us today Miss Vanessa?". I have seen how beneficial it is for these children to have time to create something and express themselves creatively. I think art is a great opportunity for the children to make connections to their world. Plus they really enjoy it!

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

It makes me happy seeing that the art projects I come in and do with the children make them happy. I love that the children get to express themselves through art. I also am happy about the great teachers I get to work with. I am happy to have the opportunity to learn from them and their experiences. Overall, I love being considered a valuable part of a great child care center!

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I feel like I have improved on a lot of things since I started my internship last semester. If I could choose something to improve on by the end of the semester, it would be my demonstrations. I want to be able to give the students demonstrations without them feeling like they need to make their art look exactly like mine. I try to choose activities that are very open- ended so the students can use their creativity as much as possible. I am lucky to have great students that listen attentively when I do give demonstrations, though. I find that they are always eager to learn new things!

Alyssa Boyer: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

This internship has helped me grow as a teacher in many ways. I believe one of the biggest things it has done for me is helped me become more confident as a teacher and in my lessons. I have grown in both teaching lessons and addressing behaviors. Before I was nervous to take action when it came to addressing unwanted behaviors, however, I am now gaining the confidence to do this and take action.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

Through my internship I have been working with another pre-ECE teacher to plan and teach lessons. I have learned the importance of teamwork with teaching. Before I believed that teaching was something that you had to plan by yourself. Now through the internship I am understanding that communication with other teachers can be just as important as the work that you do directly with the children.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

The thing that makes me the happiest about teaching is seeing that the children get excited about the lessons I have planned for them. I love watching their faces light up when they are experiencing a lesson they enjoy doing. In the infant room I can even see that the infants get excited with new experiences that I provide for them.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would like to work on trying to find more of a variety of art lessons. I enjoy doing crafts with the children but have really only managed to do painting lessons. I have also only done a couple music and movement lessons, so adding some more of those types of lessons to step out of my comfort zone would be a goal of mine.

Hana Buttles: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

In the beginning of this internship I was worried about classroom management and working with a new type of people. I feel that through this internship I have become much more confident and comfortable working with a more intimidating group of individuals. I have been able to adapt my way of teaching to work with inmates in a way that encourages their growth while respecting them as adults. I have learned when to put my foot down for classroom management and when to let some things slide, picking your battles is very important.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

Every day in this internship I am reminded that my job is not to assign projects and keep control, it is to guide in creativity. A lot of the times I get caught up in what I am teaching as far as skills but in this format of class there is such a wide range of skill level that I need to think more of the overall lesson as far as emotional growth in the project. I can then take time to work with small groups or individuals to build fundamental skills of art where it is needed. I am much less a teacher of skills but a facilitator of growth.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

Honestly I could have never expected this level of respect that I get from inmates. I came into this internship intimidated and found something that I am so passionate about. I want to look into this as a possible career in the future. This experience rekindled my excitement for teaching and gave me a wider view of possible futures.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I would like to work on improving some of the participation in my class. There are some students who come in and simply refuse to do anything and I want this program to be available to people who actually want to grow. I want to create a way to monitor progress and to also give more of a significant recognition for completing the program.

Elizabeth Rosendahl: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I have learned so much about working with children from different ages and how they interpret various instruction in different ways. I like how each Sunday the children come to class and are excited to see how the mosaic has progressed. I also like how I am able to show them different tiling methods. I have become more experienced with children who have a shorter attention span. This is evident in the multiple techniques I use to engage them in the activity. I also have grown in my knowledge and understanding of mosaics and because of that I am able to instruct the children more effectively. I love being able to see how much they have grown (skill-wise) over the semester.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

I have learned better ways to interact with children who are younger and have a more difficult time staying focused. I discovered that the students respond really well to encouragement and positive reinforcements, it helps them remain motivated to continue working on the project. I found that breaks can also help them by allowing them time to release their energy and when they come back from their short break, they are more focused.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

I like the fact that the children are excited to see me when they come to class, it makes me happy to know that I’m bringing them joy. Seeing the processes in which they work and create art is so much fun. I love seeing them be creative and coming up with unique ideas. I like hearing what they have to say about certain things as well, it’s interesting to see the world from a child’s perspective.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

I want to be able to learn even more strategies related to classroom management, especially because the class we are teaching is so unstructured. Sometimes it is challenging to keep the children under control and have them stay in a specific area as opposed to running around the library and making loud noises. I think having those tools will help me improve my abilities to teach challenging classes in the future.

Autumn Stiller: Blog II

How have you grown as a teacher from this experience so far (skills, understanding, or knowledge gained) (lesson planning, classroom management, demonstrations, etc…)?

I have gained a new understanding when it comes to individual student situations, how it can affect their behavior and ways to deal with those situations. I also have learned the limits of my students’ skills as artists. Choosing more challenging projects in moderation can help push students just enough but, challenging them too often can cause discouragement. I have become more attentive to the fact that project introductions and demonstrations need to be kept short enough for students to have time to work on and finish their projects in the time allowed. It has been challenging to come up with one day lessons. Two day lessons aren’t recommended because you may or may not have to same group of students the next day. I think I have grown and been able to have enough practice with one day lesson that I feel more confident that the majority of students will have just the right amount of time to complete them.

What new understandings do you have about children/education/your role in the classroom?

A new understanding that I have about the classroom is how much control I have and need to assert. Until this experience I have only worked with students from well off family backgrounds and have little struggle in their lives. This opened my eyes up to the many different family backgrounds and situations students are in and how that can affect their behavior. Based on their background, each student may need to be treated/educated in different ways in order to get through to them.

What has made you happy about teaching this quarter?

One thing that has been rewarding through this experience is that as students have been working on crafts I have received work from some unexpected students with messages that say, “You’re awesome! Best art teacher!” These messages from students encourage me because, it’s validation that I might be getting through to them the passion that I have for teaching art. I have enjoyed encouraging and challenging students with new projects that they initially feel are impossible but, by the end of our time together, have executed well and learned something new. I love to see students who are proud of their work.

What is something that you would like to work on improving by the end of the semester?

By the end of the semester I would like to work on improving how to confront negative behavior in the classroom. I would also like to improve my authority in the classroom as well. It has been challenging at times to get the attention of some students. I know these are the areas in which I lack extensive experience. I hope to find the strategy that works best for me.

Vanessa Lee: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

I had a P.A.I.N.T internship last year at the Child and Family Study Center, in the Why Room. This semester, I am back at the CFSC in the Why room and also the Wonder Room! Before P.A.I.N.T, I have had experience in schools in the Dominican Republic and England. I have also worked at a childcare center in Eau Claire and have had practicum/ lab experiences for my ECE classes.

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I am looking forward to being back in the Why Room to help the children build on the skills they learned last semester and also getting experience with a new age group in the Wonder Room! From what I can tell so far, the children are very creative, and I am looking forward to doing some fun projects with them this semester.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I hope to learn more about the developmental differences between 3 and 4 year olds through my lesson planning and being able to adapt those lessons accordingly. I think I will learn a lot about myself and my teaching style this semester and I am very excited about that!

Sara Sampson: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

At this point in my college career, I have had quite a bit of teaching experience. I have done two practicums in different schools working one on one with teachers in order to teach elementary and high school students. At one of these districts, I completed a smaller practicum experience working with the special education department. I have also done a study abroad trip where I worked with a diverse group of students in primary and secondary schools. Last year, I worked in a P.A.I.N.T. internship at the jail teaching adults watercolor.

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

Since I taught this course last semester, I know what to expect as far as diverse teaching and accommodations for students. This semester, I am looking forward to creating new and different lesson from the last. I want to improve the quality of education I am providing the students/ inmates. I want to make lessons a little bit more structured for students so that they are learning different ways to utilize the medium (watercolor). Throughout these lessons, I am hoping to excel student/ inmate learning by encouraging student choice. I am most of all looking forward to getting to know the students/ inmates for who they are now and not what they have done in the past

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I have never taught an art therapy class before. It is something that I have always been interested in and have even considered to pursue it as a graduate degree. Therefore, I am looking forward to exploring new and interesting lessons for the students to participate in. Most of all, I am looking forward to helping the students /inmates prosper and grow as they experience different forms of self-reflection, meditation, relaxation, expression, etc. I am also looking forward to getting to know each student/ inmate.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I hope to learn a different form of classroom management by teaching adults with a wide range of skills. My goals are to learn how to accommodate everyone in the class and keep each individual interested throughout the entire class. I hope to grow as an educator and a professional throughout this experience by learning more about my students and by developing compelling lessons that feed off of student choice. Overall, I hope to gain a better understanding for watercolor by finding new and creative ways to use it.

Alissa Peterson: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

So far, my teaching experience has just been more of observation in the classroom. This was my first week in the class, so I did not plan a lesson because I wanted to see how the classrooms were run before I brought something in. I have previously worked in the Why room (3-year-old) and I am excited to be back in the classroom.

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I am excited to bring art into their classroom more and plan some fun activities that will incorporate art. I am excited to be in these classrooms because it is the age group I would like to work with at some point, so it is great to get my feet into the water. I am also excited that I can bring music and movement into the classroom and not just visual art. I think both are very important.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I hope to gain more knowledge about bringing art into the classroom and the difference between 3 and 4-year old’s when it comes to art. I am also interested in seeing their abilities and fine motor skills that are different between the two classrooms. It will be interesting to see the differences in just a one year span.

Hana Buttles: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

Today I had my first day of teaching at the jail and it went better than I expected. Sara was very relaxed and flexible with her work style which makes me feel more comfortable coming in later in the semester and also seems to make the inmates more comfortable to express themselves rather than trying to do a project “right”. I got to take part in the inmates creating a group project on canvas and watch the flow of the class. I loved the conversations that were had and the general feel in the classroom. It felt like an open environment and a safe space.

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I look forward to creating new and exciting art projects to help the inmates to express themselves. I want to give these people an outlet to express themselves with what gives them a sort of purpose and helps them see that they can be productive members of society. From talking with the inmates that were in this class I could really tell how the art helped them see their past, present, and future.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I would like to learn more about how to work with unconventional classrooms. This will give me an experience to become comfortable working with people that I have little familiarity with and learn how to talk with people from a wider range of backgrounds. I mostly would like to learn more about how I can help others and figure out if working in a jail rehabilitation environment would be a good setting for me in the future.

Autumn Stiller: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

Prior to this P.A.I.N.T. Internship I have had minimal experience formally teaching art. However, I have been volunteering and working with kids at Sunday school for the past eight years. The only formal art teaching that I have done is one lesson at Children’s Art Club and a second lesson in Kim Robert’s classroom at Oaklawn Elementary. Now I am able to get more teaching experience through this internship and I couldn’t be more excited!

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I am looking forward to getting to know the students and discovering their artistic abilities. The class I am teaching is Arts and Crafts for students who are third through fifth graders. This age range of students, and younger, are what I am most familiar working with. They all have their own unique personalities that show through their work.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I hope to become more familiar with the structure of a lesson plan and implementing it in a classroom setting. I have written a number of lesson plans but, have only had the opportunity to teach students twice. I hope to learn more about activities that work and ways that they can be altered to work better. Classroom management and dealing with student behavior is another important factor that I hope I will gain more insight on during this experience. I have so much to learn and so much I believe I can take away from this experience.

Alyssa Boyer: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

I have not started teaching yet. I have only been in the two year old room for a couple hours and I have been assisting with the lead teacher’s lesson and have been playing with the children during free time. Last semester I did the same internship and I taught two lessons. I taught an art lesson and a dramatic play lesson. I taught both lessons to the one year olds and two year olds. Other than that I have not had any teaching experience.

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I am looking forward to gaining some new experiences with working with a new set of children. Working with infants is going to be a challenge this semester but I will have to be creative in my ways of planning and adjusting lessons. Another thing that I am looking forward to is being able to co-teach lessons with another PAINT intern. I think this way the lessons we teach the two year olds will be much stronger.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

I hope I learn how to be more creative in my lessons. Last semester I feel like I was not very creative in my lesson planning so hopefully gaining even more experience will help with my creativity. I also hope that I will be able to gain better communication skills by planning lessons with the other PAINT intern and working with the lead teachers. Being able to gain some classroom management skills would also be a great thing to gain during this experience.

Elizabeth Rosendahl: Blog I

What is your teaching experience so far?

So far, I have had a few of teaching experiences with the A.I.M. program. In spring of 2017, I taught the Jumpstart program and this past fall I participated with a group teaching the mosaic mural project at the library. I have also been given the opportunity to go to the children’s school on campus and create artistic projects with them.

What are you looking forward to about the class you will be teaching?

I look forward to being able to create a mosaic mural that will be a permanent piece in the library. I worked on it last semester and it’s so amazing to see how everyone’s piece that they worked on come together. I am excited to teach others about how to create mosaic artwork as well. The process of creating the mural is so transformative and everyone has a unique perspective when working on it.

What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?

    I hope to be able to learn how to create better color coordinating designs within a large piece of artwork. I also anticipate that I will be able to learn more about creative problem solving. We are trying to decide what color to apply to the background to make it look cohesive, but not have the flower stems blend in. I also want to learn more about the mosaic creation process, specifically about the application of it to the wall. This is a relatively new medium to me and I hope that throughout this semester I can learn more about the process so that I can potentially do something like it in the future on my own.