I've Moved! High school here I come!

I've moved! Though I loved teaching elementary school I've on my way to the high school level.  Now instead of dealing with kids who might pee their pants I get to deal with angsty hormonal teens. I can't wait. Later this month I will start working at Apex High School with an amazing staff of 3 other art teachers. Apex High School's Art Department even has their own blog.  Check it out!

http://apexhsart.blogspot.com/

To all you elementary teachers: don't worry!  I have not abandoned you.  I still have some photos and projects to upload on here.  Though projects for the youngins may not come as often, they will still be there.  My plan is that next summer to host a children's art camp.  There will be more kids art, I promise.

Thank you for your support,
Make Art!

~Kim

I Love My Job

I love being a teacher.  I've only been at Hubbard Elementary 4 days, and I know I'm still in the honeymoon period but the kids are fantastic.  Not to say there haven't been some trying classes, most certainly there have, but I know they are just trying to feel me out.  They are so excited about learning and exploring new things in art.  I tried crayon rubbing landscapes with my kindergarten, being brave on the first day.  When the students saw the patterns from the texture plate appear on their pictures, excitement lit up in their eyes.  They shared their landscapes with any other student they could saying "LOOK! LOOK!"I had a blast helping them. This evening after school a parent brought by a cake to welcome me.  It was the sweetest gesture.  The photo doesn't give it justice, this cake is HUGE! It took 2 people to carry and couldn't fit into any of the fridges.

Room/Project photos to come!

The Start of Something New

I've graduated!  I have officially finished my internships and degrees at East Carolina University. Honestly, I feel the same.  Should I be excited? Should I be jumping for joy? Should I already miss college?  Maybe it is too soon, maybe a month from now I'll be excited.  I graduated from ECU with a BFA in Art Education and a BFA in Studio Arts: Ceramics.  I've enjoyed my time in college, I had a wonderful experience in both of my internships (lessons and pictures to come), and was able to find my own nitch in the art world.

Back in November I had my very first teacher interview for a position at Hubbard Elementary School in Battleboro, a week later I was offered the job! It is incredibly rare to find an art position half way through the school year.  I feel so lucky and blessed to have this wonderful opportunity before I even graduated from college.

Me as an Artist

Growing up I went camping all the time; I was drawn to the scenery, wildlife, textures, patterns, colors and shapes in my environment.   The outdoors gave me a sense of what is valuable.  It was not hard for me to see life in something like a rock or a pinecone. I found joy in the unobseverd.  The twist and turns in the bark of a tree and the metallic sheen of a june beetle’s back are samples of things that would captivate me.

I create objects and images drawing from my memory of these experiences.  As I carve and mark the tiles my narrative emerges.  These stories and illustrations show both natural and manmade objects.  As a child these objects seemed as one, an interaction between the human and natural environment.  

This blog can be used as a resource for other teachers and a connection to the families of my students as well.  My best lessons and projects will be placed on "The Art Creature."

I'm excited to share with you what my students have completed.