This summer I learned I would be teaching 2nd grade AND art next fall. My son said, "THAT'S A LOT". He expressed what I had not even thought about. It most certainly is, however an extremely exciting challenge for me. I am really looking forward to it.
Almost the same time I found out about my new assignment(s), I was contacted to create a commissioned landscape. I love landscapes and the colors in this particular landscape were amazing. I rose to the challenge and started warping my loom. I am currently weaving the remaining 24" of a approx 60 in warp. The final size stretched will be 26x 36".
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On May 8th, I graduated from UW-Stout with my second degree, a Bachelor's of Science in Art Education. For the past year and a half starting in January 2019, I had been finishing a degree in Art Education I started in 2001 after I received a BFA in Fine Arts with a discipline in studio fibers. I maintained a 4.0 and continued to teach K-8 art at St Paul's. I was called to teach art at St Paul's this coming fall on May 25th, I began deliberation. In early June our 2nd Grade teacher resigned. On June 15th I was called to teach 2nd Grade and art to grades 2-8. Although I had not anticipated a full time call I accepted the call to teach on June 23rd. My husband and I painted the room that following Friday, excited to embrace this new calling. The past few weeks, I have been moving books and furniture around, and to be honest, freaking out a little bit about the curriculum, just a new horizon in the scheme of life. The vision I have for this group of kids, I know very well, is slowly coming together. I have all hopes to be of service to them and to encourage their learning the best I can. I hope that I provide them with a space that they enjoy and call their classroom. ![]() Before all of these new responsibilities and changes, I had planned to teach a weaving course to adults this summer. In the course students learn to warp a loom and weave a project. I am temporarily unable to use my art room, which is where I originally planned to teach the class. I am excited to use this new space and warm up to instruction with familiar content. The students also appreciate this space, well lit and bright, and larger (little do they know the art room would have been too crowded as I have 7 weaving students!) Seven new weavers in the universe! ![]() Last Thursday was our first weaving class. It was very busy and we accomplished a lot of progress in planning and warping. That evening I ended up in the ER, with a mysterious insect bite possibly a spider, from the previous day from working in the garden, and a swollen foot. I was ordered to elevate the foot, take antibiotics, and rest. For the past couple of days I have been planning my art curriculum for the year, reading my classroom management books, and planning all the "extras", like classroom anthem/prayer, management tools, etc. The "rest" has allowed me to focus on some vital planning. As we steam ahead to fall, I wanted to update my position as not only art teacher but classroom teacher to 2nd grade. I am excited to take on this challenge because I feel it will enhance my learning and allow me to practice linking art to classroom work, creating holistic learning environment which has been a focus of mine since 2001, when I started my education journey. As an education practitioner, I am grateful for this opportunity. June 23, 2021
Dear Members of St Paul’s, On May 25th I received the call to be the art teacher of St Paul’s Lutheran School. During my deliberation, changes in the staff of St Paul’s took place and the second grade position was vacated. Much thought was given by the Board of Education to fill this emergency call. It was voted on June 15th, to extend the second grade call to me. I have been asked to fill the classroom position and teach art to grades 2-8. As I stated in my acknowledgement letter for the art position I understand my responsibilities of fulfilling my role as a called worker at St Paul’s School. In the past year and a half I have put forth great effort to complete my licensure in education. Our family has adjusted to the schedule of my schooling, my position as art teacher at St Paul’s, my husband’s call as principal and teacher of grades 5-8th, as he continues to fill a teacher vacancy. As educators, my husband and I share a passion to offer quality christian education for all. We believe in all efforts to serve the surrounding community of Menomonie, through St Paul’s Lutheran School. Although I did not anticipate a full-time call for the school year of 2021-22, our family has been able to embrace flexibility and implement agility in the face of change. We have learned how to switch gears and step up our roles as the world changed around us. In humble gratitude I would like to acknowledge and accept this call to teach second grade and art at St Paul’s. Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I am encouraged by the support of the Board of Education and from the staff members that have reached out to me. As my responsibility doubles I am humbled by the belief that my work as an art educator has encouraged faith in my ability to serve as a classroom teacher. Thank you for giving me the confidence to see that Christ has presented me with an opportunity to serve full time in the classroom and entrusting me with the education of the minds and souls in the second grade classroom and through the visual arts. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers. ”Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 Forever faithful, it is a blessing to share my gifts and I am truly grateful to serve at St Paul’s. In His Service, Susan Buss I was placed in a 7th Grade art position for the remainder of my student teaching experience. My cooperating teacher 10 years my junior, was in her position for ten years. We became fast friends and in our planning for the remainder of this covid year we came up with a mixed media project that inspired kids. A little bit of low-tech photoshop and a little bit of low-tech meme. Basically take a picture, photograph or magazine, and make it funny.
Inspiration
Banksy is an anonymous English-based street artist, vandal, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, English graffiti artist and international prankster Banksy has managed to become one of the world's most recognized artists while remaining relatively anonymous. Staying true to the credos of Street Art, he's built a celebrated body of work, both permanent and impermanent, that utilizes satire, subversion, dark humor, and irony to create resonant social, political, and humanist messages for the masses on a populous and public level. His style is universally familiar, founded on a signature stencil aesthetic that has elevated him from mere man with a spray can to a highly creative artist in his own right. He is responsible for catapulting guerilla work into the mainstream as a viable form of art. |
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
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