Teaching Experiences

SUBSTITUTE TEACHING

For the past three years, I've served as a substitute teacher across multiple school districts, primarily focusing on art sub jobs while occasionally stepping into regular classroom roles. With a diverse range of assignments spanning from Pre-K to high school, I've had the privilege of experiencing various grade levels and subjects, offering me invaluable insights into the educational landscape.

During my substitute teaching tenure, I took on significant long-term substitute positions at Little Elementary and James Coble Middle School. At Little Elementary, I provided instruction and guidance in an art classroom, fostering an environment conducive to creativity and learning. At James Coble Middle School, I was entrusted with full responsibility for the classroom, presenting rewarding yet challenging experiences for both myself and the students.

At James Coble Middle School, I led several engaging projects that left a lasting impact on both students and myself. The first project focused on an introduction to composition, where students explored the principles of composition by creating cohesive artworks using traced items and colored pencils. This exercise encouraged students to consider both composition and craftsmanship in their artistic endeavors.In addition to the composition project, I facilitated a poster design project where students expressed their creativity through various themes and concepts. To add an element of fun and spontaneity, students were tasked with promoting their posters as if they were salespeople, leading to hilarious improvisation and lively presentations. Furthermore, students had the opportunity to showcase their creativity through a unique shoe project, where some advanced students crafted sculpture shoes—an unexpected yet fantastic result of the project.

During one of my regular substitute assignments, I introduced an impromptu lesson inspired by the renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Drawing from Basquiat's expressive style and vibrant colors, students immersed themselves in creating Basquiat-inspired self-portraits, tapping into their own creativity and artistic voices in the process. As I continue my journey as a substitute teacher, I remain committed to providing engaging and inspiring learning experiences for students across diverse grade levels and subjects. I look forward to exploring new opportunities for creativity and innovation in the classroom, building upon the foundation of my past experiences to enrich the educational journey of every student I encounter.

STUDENT TEACHING

During my time at the University of Arlington, I had three student teaching placements. In my first placement, I worked in an elementary school classroom within the Arlington Independent School District. I taught art to students ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade. The experience exposed me to various art lessons and activities, and I learned from an experienced teacher who had a strong classroom management plan. My second placement was with seventh-grade art students. Although it lasted only a month due to unforeseen circumstances, it was a valuable experience. The classroom environment was chaotic, but I built rapport with the students and embraced the opportunity to connect with them.

For my final placement, I worked with high school art students from November to December. I collaborated with an exceptional art teacher who emphasized the importance of art in students' lives. This experience strengthened my belief that art is more than just creating pretty pictures. It's about building essential life skills like work ethic, critical thinking, and problem-solving.As part of my student teaching requirements, I developed a teacher work sample focused on teaching fifth-grade students about value and space in art. This involved creating engaging activities and lessons to help students understand these concepts, which culminated in the creation of value collages.

VOLUNTEER: LINDSAY'S ART CART

I had the privilege of volunteering at Lindsay's Art Cart, a week-long day camp for students in grades K-4. Each day, students engaged in various art projects, experiencing the creative process in a day camp setting. These immersive sessions provided ample time for artistic exploration and expression, striking a balance between meaningful engagement and the convenience of a day camp format.At the conclusion of the camp, we celebrated the students' achievements with an art show, where they showcased their artwork and participated in a memorable puppet catwalk. My time at Lindsay's Art Cart was not only enjoyable but also enlightening, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of art education in a day camp environment.