Accessible Art Virtually

I have been spending quite a bit of time lately thinking about how students can access enriching art education without all the materials we have in the classroom. The search lead me to art games, digital drawing, and many other things. I wanted to share a new video I recently made to share a fun program I found with my students. The simplicity of the program along with the almost guaranteed fun outcome really sold it for me. The drawing program was posted on the website Rectangle World. They host all sorts of code tutorials and experiments. Feel free to take a look at their other projects as well.

Virtual Teaching

Every educator has been through an upheaval over the past year. Through every new phase of the pandemic, hybrid, virtual, and in-person, we have been trying our best to reach our students. There are some days we are more successful at this than others. One of my proudest lessons of the past year would have to be based on one of my favorite books, A Poem as BIG as New York City, edited by the Teachers & Writers Collaborative, Illustrated by Masha D'Yans.

My school has been open through the pandemic to serve our students in a congregate care setting. As the cases are rising once again, I wanted to remind myself of the good work that has come out of this year. Please take a look at my favorite lesson of the pandemic!

Diverse Children's Books

Since starting my journey as an educator, I have developed a deep love of Children’s Books. The more thoughtful, unique, and beautifully illustrated the better. I love teaching from them and creating unique units based on their joyful expression. I have been even known to gift some of these books to my husband over the years. Recently, I have begun to collect book lists, and compile my own, to create a diverse list of books for young children. It is essential that children see themselves represented in the books they read. It is also crucial for them to see people that are different from them to begin to understand and build compassion for those around them. These books represent diversity in regards to race, country of origin, family structures, gender identity, language, ability, LGBTQAI+, and many more. Take a look below at a few books I am excited about!

Artists Support Artists

Like many people this holiday season, especially this year, I want gifts I give to do good. I have been thinking about this a lot since the beginning of the pandemic and the latest spark of the Black Lives Matter movement.

I wanted to put my money where my mouth is and spend money on small businesses, and black-owned businesses. This plan has lead me to find lots of lovely artists, books stores, and restaurants. Today I found a nonprofit that fits so many things I am passionate about! BEADS! Supporting women! Art! Mokeybiz has been around for 20 years, and if you are stumped for ideas, I suggest you take a look!

Boston Higashi School

My dream job! Years before moving to Massachusetts, I learned about this amazing program for students with Autism. I looked at their website, and thought well I will never live in Boston so I am never going to work there. Much to my surprise, I ended up moving with my partner to Mass! And I was even more surprised to see that they had an art teacher position open. I knew that this was my dream, combining art and special education. And even more specifically working with students on the spectrum. I feel so lucky to be working with amazing students everyday, and so lucky that I get to work at an amazing school.