In a year full adversity, I have been able to reflect on a great deal of blessings.
In January, with a great deal of leg work, forms, meetings, and quick thinking I enrolled at UW-Stout to finished the art education certification I began over a decade ago. Life happened in that decade. Four kids later, them all a bit grown up, I felt the need to share my love of the visual arts with more children than my own, officially. In March in person learning was halted. Not only did I as a student have to change my approach to my education, but as a practicing educator had to shift my approach to my art lessons. Remote learning happened in an instant. It continued throughout the school year. Children I taught were able to continue lessons. I change the approach to our annual art show by having a student artist featured throughout the last of the school year. Flexibility became my friend. This summer I enrolled in an art history course I did not need, however I was blessed to got through art history 101 again. I have a minor in art history. What I did learn by studying the ancient world again is that two decades later I have a different perspective and there are lessons to be gleaned from the study of the ancients. I was able to think about mosaics and how to introduce them, I was excited to apply facts about the pyramids, and in Assyrian sculpture mythical creatures could come alive in the minds of my students. In the Special Education course I learned a lot about adaptability and about how I approach my emotional/behavioral students. Late in August I compiled a reading in the content areas ESA. My learning was very consolidated and continued into this fall semester. In June my family farm sold. I am deeply connected to the farm, my father still lives next door, so I have been dealing with the "loss" of something dear. In the grieving process I have been aware of transitions, change, and shifts in thinking. In all the adversity this year has provided a willingness and openness to shifts in mindsets are vital. It was a time of quiet and meaningful reflection. The challenge is great this school year, fall 2020. We continue to deal with the complications of a pandemic. I continued to teach remote, in person, on a cart to K-8 students as well as take on 15 credits, and still managing a household of 6 and a dog. I currently also have a commission on my loom. In October, just days after my 44th birthday, My father fell and broke his shoulder. My mother passed away in 2013, I cared for her in her last days, he still lives alone. My brother was visiting at the time but lives in Arizona. The care of my father does rest upon me. So this year, after many years of "waiting" to return to school, a pandemic of biblical proportions, actually turned out to be a blessing. With the ability to care for my father in a crucial stage of care and recovery remotely enabled me to continue classes fairly uninterrupted. My father also was very thankful to have my help and I felt at ease making sure he had the best care possible from me and others. I was also able to make up the lessons I missed with my in person students with the flexibility with the school I teach at. Teachers I work with are very understanding. I teach once a week so I missed very few lessons in person. I worked hard at staying ahead in all of my courses and was able to keep my head above water. My husband cared for our kids, our eldest is sixteen and our youngest eight, another reason my return to school is possible, they are older an able to care for themselves. Looking back on this year life has been an adventure. It has been a challenge for many. I feel blessed to wear life like a loose garment. I look forward to completing this semester. The five courses I am completing have been valuable. I hope that even as a "non-traditional" student, my "age-ism" has been somewhat overcome, and my contributions unique. It is hard somedays to feel young and old at the same time, however I really value all the wisdom I have earned. I value my practice as a studio artist. My journey may be unconventional but rich with opportunity. Only time could have given me these experiences and purpose in life. I value the human experience and visual arts.
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AuthorI have a passion for the visual arts and love sharing it with others. I have enjoyed teaching all ages and love to incorporate art history and traditional disciplines as well as innovative ideas. Art is vital to who I am as a creator and educator. Archives
April 2021
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