Energy & Influence

 We are on the brink of an unprecedented school year. Never before have we had so much uncertainty and unknowns. Collectively we must step up and support our educators and school communities, leave judgement at the door and keep an open heart. Practice patience daily. We must also cheer for our students as they navigate this digital migration. 

Our students will mirror our attitudes, so put on a confident face and reassure them they can do this. I once heard someone ask, "How much of my influence on you is a result of your influence on me?"  Consider this as we start the school year. Energy is contagious, let's keep it positive. Let the teachers and students in your life know you support them! 

Work Crew

Today was the first day since March 13th that I have seen my colleagues in person! We definitely looked a little different with our face masks, but what a wonderful sight!  Our regional Scholastic Art show was featured in a gallery at the local community college in February. We were lucky enough to have the reception and awards night before the world was put on pause. Our community shut down here on March 13th, leaving the exhibition up until now. We were finally given clearance to take down the show this week, so today we met and happily masked uninstalled the show. I can honestly say, I was thrilled when my alarm sounded off this morning! I miss my fellow art teachers. 

Let me Introduce You...(ongoing series)

Let me introduce you to the newest member of the Chantilly Knights art department, Ms. Choi! She

is a Disney girl at heart which would explain why she majored in Animation.

She was delighted to start her school year by teaching her students stop motion as their first lesson! And let me tell you, that classroom was abuzz with ideas. The digital art and design class is stacked, that means it is levels 1-4 in the same class at the same time.

So, she has scaffolded the inquiry to keep it accessible to all the students. Students had the choice of creating their happy place, a clever “how to” video or  a statement about a school wide social issue while exploring the challenges of making a stop motion artwork.

The students also had choices about which materials to use...air dry clay, construction paper, wire, stuffed animals...many options to ignite the imagination.

I hope to visit her again soon and see the finished works!