CORE Arts

November 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Katherine Stubbs

IMG_3131.JPG

We are so excited to introduce you to our November 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Ms. Katherine Stubbs. Katherine is an amazing music teacher at Atlanta Primary School in Atlanta, Texas.  

She is beloved by students, colleagues and community members.  She provides engaging music and art instruction by allowing student voice, creating fun games and helping students express their feelings through music, art and dance. 

 Katherine was nominated by her school’s after school program director, Jennifer Whatley.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that she is doing in her role as art teacher! 

Congratulations, Ms. Stubbs!  Thank you for your vital contributions to arts education. 

 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

Katherine has been in Music and Arts Education for many years. She is an excellent music teacher. She teaches music and arts at Atlanta Primary School and in the ACE afterschool program. Katherine is a member of an adult English Hand Bell Ensemble at First United Methodist Church, where she teaches a Children's Choir and Hand Chime Ensemble.

 

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

 Katherine Stubbs goes above and beyond to make sure students experience music and arts education in multiple ways. She teaches children to express themselves through music and art and provides creative activities for children to participate in. She has led many musical programs and events for school and churches. Additionally, she has written several grants for our school’s music department to receive supplies, equipment and materials that enrich students’ artistic experiences. 

How would students describe this arts educator?

The students would describe Mrs. Stubbs as fun. She is always smiling and laughing with students. She provides a positive learning experience for many students to express themselves through music and art. 

 

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

 She has many innovative and creative ways to teach the arts to our primary age students. She has created activities for students to learn how to use musical instruments such as hand bells, drums, tambourines, rhythm sticks, and many others. She has designed musical programs and had students participate in creating costumes for the program. She teaches students to express their feelings through dance and movement. She has taught students how to paint on canvas with acrylic paints. She has created many games to play with music which is engaging for the kids.

 c

What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

 Katherine's commitment, passion and dedication to her students is what makes her an exceptional music and arts education teacher. The fact that she goes above and beyond her daily role to provide music and art experiences to students in public schools, churches, and community members is truly remarkable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Avram Walters

We are so thrilled to introduce you to our October 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Mr. Avram Walters. Avram is a fantastic high school art teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C.  

image.png

He is a well-loved teacher and colleague.  He routinely goes above and beyond to support his students and the staff.  His art is brilliant, relevant and meaningful.  

Avram was nominated by a school counselor at his school, Ramona Robertson.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that he is doing in his role as art teacher! 

Congratulations, Mr. Walters!  Thank you for your vital contributions to arts education. 

 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

image-2.png

 Mr. Walters is always willing to go the extra mile with his students. He is always there to greet his student with a positive attitude and encouraging word.

 

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

 When I had a senior student that was self-sabotaging and jeopardizing his graduation, with a deficit of .50 in Art, Mr. Walters personally stepped in to support and mentor that student through one of the most difficult times in his life.

 

How would students describe this arts educator?

 Students would describe Mr. Walters as fun, caring, considerate, collaborative and inspiring.

image-3.png

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

He uses various medias, cultures and tools to work with his student.  He has used his students to help create beautiful murals on our campus.  In addition, he offered a professional development for the entire staff that helped us become more mindful using the arts. He had the staff draw faces, put on relaxing music and showed us firsthand how the arts can help us all relax and focus.

 

What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

 He's not afraid to meet the kids where they are and take they where they need to go. You can put the most challenging student in his class and he always welcomes them with a warmth that is touching.  He truly cares about the students and uses the arts to help engage and connect with them.

 

April 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Noel Spring

image1.jpeg
IMG_2789.JPG

We are so excited to introduce you to our April 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Ms. Noel Spring.  Noel is an exceptional art teacher at Rusheon Middle School in Bossier City, Louisiana.  She works each and every day to ensure that her students are introduced to and actively working on a variety of arts projects.  Additionally, she uses her art class in strategic ways that allows for math, science, reading and social emotional learning integration.  Simply put, she is fantastic! 

IMG_0692.JPG

Noel was nominated by Jacqui Impson, the school counselor at her school.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that she is doing in her role as art teacher! 


Congratulations, Ms. Spring!  Thank you for your important contributions to arts education. 

 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

IMG_2360.JPG

 She is a dedicated, brilliant, talented, amazing woman and teacher! 

 

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

Ms. Spring goes above and beyond the normal duties of an art teacher. She supports the students through mentoring with our PBIS Tier II Climb Program and provides extracurricular support with her Ram Pride Spirit Team. 

 

How would students describe this arts educator?

Many students say they love Ms. Spring because she believes in them even when they don’t believe in themselves. I’ve also been told they know when a teacher loves them like they are their own child and that Ms. Spring is one of those teachers. One of her students who needs behavioral support said, “Even when I don’t make the best decisions she is there to show me that she cares, even if it’s tough love.”

IMG_2867.JPG

 

image4.jpeg

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

She incorporates Math, Science and ELA into her lessons on a regular basis. The projects the students create are wonderful! They have made architectural pieces from popsicle sticks to represent key places in the world (Eiffel Tower, Stadiums, Twin Towers, etc.) The students do historical research on their locations as they prepare their design drafts prior to building. They have made some incredible tribal pieces this year that the students were extremely proud to show in the art gallery at our school. Another great project that she has done is an “emotions in abstract” assignment. The students are able to express themselves through their art and they have used it as therapy as they work through issues with sexuality, racism, domestic violence, self-harm, suicidal ideation, etc. Many of the pieces turned out amazing! 

 

IMG_1703.JPG

What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

In the Bossier Parish Schools  i3 Art Expo  this year, Ms. Spring represented Rusheon with a display of our students’ art work and she won 1st place in the Parish!! She is a vital part of Rusheon and is dedicated to improving the school and the students. We are blessed to have her on our staff and in our Ram Family! 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyday Artist Spotlight: Laura Monsreal

hidden pixie - Laura Monsreal.jpg

We are pleased to introduce you to a talented, young, Latina artist, Laurel Monsreal.  Laura was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and has been raised in the Chicago suburbs. She uses many art mediums, including painting, photography and film.  Laura’s commitment to pursing her passions: art, storytelling, women’s empowerment, wellness and spirituality is inspiring.  Continue reading to learn more about what inspires Laura’s art, what projects she is currently working on and how arts education has impacted her life!

 

 

Growing, Laura Monsreal

Growing, Laura Monsreal

Why is your art important to you?

Art to me is important because it helps me express myself, helps my mental health and helps me connect with community. 

 

What do you want your art to say?

I want my art to express the story that I am trying to express at that moment of my life.

 

What project are you working on now?

My current projects have been about connecting to the divine feminine energy, nature, and spirituality. 

 

The Blind Trick, Laura Monsreal

The Blind Trick, Laura Monsreal

What is your favorite artwork and/or artist?

Some of my favorite artists that have inspired me since 2017-2018 have been Vanja Vukelic, Pinot W. Ichwandardi, Abigail Halpin, Bella Kotak and Helen Dardik 

 

How has arts education impacted your life?

Art education has impacted my life in many ways. It has helped me express who I am as an individual, made me think about the world and how it works, and helped me learn new knowledge such as principles of design and elements of art. 

Follow Laura on Instagram and on Facebook.

Revealing Relief, Laura Monsreal

Revealing Relief, Laura Monsreal

Elephant Strength, Laura Monsreal

Elephant Strength, Laura Monsreal

_________________

Biography: 

My name is Laura Monsreal. I am a Chicago-based Latina artist. Born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and raised in the Chicago suburbs. The relationship I have with art stems from the love of storytelling. I am a versatile artist, who enjoys working with painting, photography, and writing. Aside from art, holistic health and wellness are my other passions. Just like art, engaging in movement, mindful eating, and meditation has helped and nurtured my growth emotionally, spiritually and physically. I believe that we must treat our bodies as our own temples. One thing I believe helps in connecting the self to its higher truth is self-love. Incorporating self-love in to our lives is important because we must learn to love, and take care of ourselves first before we can love others. Living in society can feel like such a rush that we often lose ourselves. Through my art, I strive to spread awareness of the importance of self-love. Other themes I focus on are nature, women's empowerment, equality, identity, and spirituality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow-Up: Amidon-Bowen Elementary School Black History Month Art Project

We previously shared an awesome art project that Amidon-Bowen Elementary School (Washington, D.C.) was working on in honor of Black History Month.  Read full story here. We were thrilled to get follow-up pictures of their exhibition "Taking Back the Island" and wanted to share with you as well!  Bravo, Ms. Perry, Mr. Dicke and Amidon-Bowen students! 

ABESVal2019 9302 (2).jpg
ABESVal2019 9282 (2).jpg
ABESVal2019 9278 (2).jpg
ABESVal2019 9272 (2).jpg
ABESVal2019 9271 (2).jpg