South High:
- Benjamin Adwetewa-Badu – My mentor teacher for my practicum was by my side every day of the year. He provided guidance, support, advice, and wisdom throughout my teaching. He helped me to refine my lesson plans and teach to different students.
- Mary Abbott – The other art teacher at South High was a wonderful resource throughout the year. She offered advice on ways to improve my lesson plans and acted as a sounding board for my ideas.
- Leanne Ledoux – She was an AP English Literature teacher who organized the weekly on-site seminars at South High. All the student teachers, our supervisors, and Leanne met once a week to reflect on our experiences. Several times other teachers and staff in the school would visit our seminar to offer their perspectives on teaching and interacting with the students.
- All of the other faculty and staff – Several teachers opened their classrooms to allow me to observe. The automotive teachers were kind enough to assist me with one of my projects, cutting up large sheets of plywood into smaller squares for my students. They also assisted the art department (myself, Courtney Johnson – the other art M.A.T. candidate, Benjamin Adwetewa-Badu, and Mary Abbott) in creating the St. Patrick’s day Grand Marshal float for Principal Maureen Binienda.
The back of Mrs. Binienda’s float, which the art department painted.
An alternative view of the float which shows some of the signage, Mrs. Binienda’s chair, the Food Pantry shelf, and Mr. Badu hanging up clothes from Andy’s Attic.
An alternative view of the float which shows some of the signage, Mrs. Binienda’s chair, the Food Pantry shelf, clothes from Andy’s Attic, and two of the automotive teachers.
Clark University:
- Letina Jeranyama – My university mentor supervised my teaching practice throughout the year. She was present during the on-site seminars, three-way meetings with my mentor teacher, as well as various observation times while I taught. She provided feedback on my questions and reflections.
- Timmary Leary – The Worcester Public Schools Visual Arts Liaison acted as an unofficial mentor to myself and the other art M.A.T. candidate, Courtney Johnson. She helped us to develop lesson plans, coordinate professional development sessions with other WPS art teachers, take us to observe other WPS art classrooms, and provide insight to teaching art in an urban setting.
- M.A.T. candidates – All of the other M.A.T.s were part of a strong community that encouraged each other. They helped me to persevere through the difficult times and offered support throughout the year.
Worcester Community:
- The Hanover Theater – They collaborated with South High to provide an educational outlet about the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The art department was tasked with creating the advertisement poster for the fall show. All the students in art classes assisted with the poster as well. The theater also provided free tickets to all students at South High to watch the Grinch show.
The art department with the finished Grinch poster.
A view of the finished Grinch poster.
A detail view of the Grinch poster – each square was designed by a different student.
- The Home Depot – The Gold Star Boulevard branch graciously donated new supplies to South High for my students. Several sheets of plywood and a few boxes of nails were donated so my students could create their first 3D project.
A student from my period 4 class and his finished project using the donated materials from Home Depot.
A student from my period 2 class and his finished project using the donated materials from Home Depot.
Students from my period 7 class and their finished projects using the donated materials from Home Depot.
Students from my period 7 class working on their projects using the donated materials from Home Depot.
- Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, College of the Holy Cross – Roger Hankins and Paula Rosenblum, directors of the Cantor Gallery, allowed art students from South High to visit the second part (“The Rebirth of Art”) of their fall exhibition entitled “Katrina Then and Now: Artists as Witness.” Students were given a full gallery tour of the exhibition, followed by a printmaking workshop. During the workshop, students were taught how to create Styrofoam prints.
My period 4 class and Mr. Badu at the Cantor Gallery.
Students engaged in a discussion about one of the gallery pieces.
Students engaged in a discussion about one of the gallery pieces.
Students engaged in a discussion about one of the gallery pieces.
Students inking their Styrofoam plates during the printmaking workshop.
A student working on her Styrofoam plate during the printmaking workshop.
Student work examples from the printmaking workshop.