I have been a part of the tuckahoe teaching family for fourteen years now. I have been able to teach alongside great teachers and administration for years. I really enjoy our hometown school feel and really take pride in learn about all our students as they grow into young adults. I am one of the luckiest teachers at Tuckahoe school as I get to learn alongside our student for as much as ten years. We often begin to meet each other in pre-K were the school feel so large and at time a it scary then we make our way to eight grade when the school starts to feel so small and we reminisce on how little they once were. Some of my proudest teacher moments come clear when I get to watch the eight-grade cross that stage at graduation knowing they have already begun a great journey of growth.
In the early years of art education at tuckahoe the students will learn by experimenting with art materials. In grades 1-2 we will shift to projects that allow us to learn the elements of art through our studies of artists and their culturally diverse backgrounds. Then in 3rd through to 5th grade we shift to a STEAM based program where we look at how the design process of artists mirrors the scientific method. Finally in grades 6-8 are unique, after a in depth look at the elements of art and the principals of design the students create portfolios based on themes or topics, the student have greater room for choice over their materials, techniques and approach to these pieces.
I have a lifelong learner philosophy in both my art and professional teaching. I try to stay on top of the current educational studies and shifts with in instructional delivery. Recently I received my arts integration certification which in turn helped me to bring a STEAM program based in arts integration to tuckahoe. Through this program of study, I was able to understand how to align the national art education standard with the core subject of math and science. The Tuckahoe STEAM has a strong foundation in visual art and technology and is strengthen by a collaboration of all subject areas involved. Our STEAM program aligns all the learning standards of the involved subjects so that the students have multiple access points to the learnable knowledge. Within our STEAM program space is created to welcome students to fail or make mistakes in order to learn from them. When mistakes are celebrated this is where the most authentic learning takes place. The STEAM program is uniquely individualized for each student and their achievement level yet continuously rises the expectation bar.
In the past year it has been hard to no be able to give a sure answer to student when they look towards their teachers for answers. With a year full of unsure and uneasy situations I found the students needed our support more than ever. Most often in the past year I found that student needed to be heard and help figuring their way through stress. I was so driven to learn how to better help my students deal with the unknow, the mounting stress and finding ways to calm themselves down. I have learned that many adults nevertheless children, are not really aware how to regulate their emotions in times of stress or trauma. I therefore got my certification as a yoga instructor and a Social emotional learning facilitator. These programs have given me the tools to better equip our students and fellow teachers with way to manage their stress and emotions. I will bring to my classroom some breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, mindful movement and emotional journaling.
Awards:
NYSATA- Art teacher of the year -Region 10 (Suffolk County) SCOPE-District Teacher
Associations & Memberships:
NYSATA- New York Art Teacher Association / Conference Presenter NAEA- National Art Teacher Association / Conference Presenter NCECA- National Council On Education For The Ceramic Arts / Conference Presenter Longhouse Reserve Educational Committee Peconic Teacher Center District Reprehensive
Contact:
Phone: (631) 283-3550 X100 Email: [email protected] Remind: Text this number 81010 with below code; All Art Classes: abd6f9g ( https://www.remind.com/join/abd6f9g ) Portfolio Project: F8kfg3 ( https://www.remind.com/join/f8kfg3 )