Everyday Artist Spotlight: Maggie Wise

We are so thrilled to introduce you to a budding young artist, Maggie Wise.  Maggie is a 13-year-old, 7th grade student who is extremely talented and creative. We’re happy that we were able to talk with her about what inspires her art and the ways she has been impacted by arts education. Keep reading to find out more about this young lady whose future is so bright that we need shades!  

 What is your art medium?

Acrylic Paint and Graphite

Why is your art important to you?

It is a way to be creative and it’s fun to show to people. I also love the way it feels when a painting comes out perfectly.

What do you want your art to say?

That you can do art no matter what age.

What project are you working on now?

It might sound funny, but I'm painting Gucci Peppa Pig, normal Peppa Pig, and Captain Underpants, all to be sold. For myself, I'm making a flower painting in pink and I'm sculpting the sandworm from Beetlejuice.

Who is your favorite artist?

Frida Khalo is my favorite artist because she made art to help her get through dark times and her sickness.  I also respect her personal style. 

How has arts education impacted your life?

I have introduced myself to new styles and creative ways to take my artwork to the next level. I have an amazing art teacher named Mrs. Sitton that is a very nice person that has influenced me to work harder on my art as well as to be a nicer person.

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Biography: 

Maggie Wise is a 7th grader at Caddo Middle Magnet in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she is currently enrolled in Intermediate Art. Maggie’s other favorite hobby is acting. She has performed in numerous productions with Shreveport Little Theater and was most recently in Miracle on 34th Street.  She loves music and her favorite concert was Panic! at the Disco.  She is pet parent to Willie, a one year old Shi Tzu and Chubbs, a 6 year-old cat.  

November 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Katherine Stubbs

We are so excited to introduce you to our November 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Ms. Katherine Stubbs. Katherine is an amazing music teacher at Atlanta Primary School in Atlanta, Texas.  

She is beloved by students, colleagues and community members.  She provides engaging music and art instruction by allowing student voice, creating fun games and helping students express their feelings through music, art and dance. 

 Katherine was nominated by her school’s after school program director, Jennifer Whatley.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that she is doing in her role as art teacher! 

Congratulations, Ms. Stubbs!  Thank you for your vital contributions to arts education. 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

Katherine has been in Music and Arts Education for many years. She is an excellent music teacher. She teaches music and arts at Atlanta Primary School and in the ACE afterschool program. Katherine is a member of an adult English Hand Bell Ensemble at First United Methodist Church, where she teaches a Children's Choir and Hand Chime Ensemble.

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

 Katherine Stubbs goes above and beyond to make sure students experience music and arts education in multiple ways. She teaches children to express themselves through music and art and provides creative activities for children to participate in. She has led many musical programs and events for school and churches. Additionally, she has written several grants for our school’s music department to receive supplies, equipment and materials that enrich students’ artistic experiences. 

How would students describe this arts educator?

The students would describe Mrs. Stubbs as fun. She is always smiling and laughing with students. She provides a positive learning experience for many students to express themselves through music and art. 

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

 She has many innovative and creative ways to teach the arts to our primary age students. She has created activities for students to learn how to use musical instruments such as hand bells, drums, tambourines, rhythm sticks, and many others. She has designed musical programs and had students participate in creating costumes for the program. She teaches students to express their feelings through dance and movement. She has taught students how to paint on canvas with acrylic paints. She has created many games to play with music which is engaging for the kids.

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What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

 Katherine's commitment, passion and dedication to her students is what makes her an exceptional music and arts education teacher. The fact that she goes above and beyond her daily role to provide music and art experiences to students in public schools, churches, and community members is truly remarkable.

October 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Avram Walters

We are so thrilled to introduce you to our October 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Mr. Avram Walters. Avram is a fantastic high school art teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C.  

He is a well-loved teacher and colleague.  He routinely goes above and beyond to support his students and the staff.  His art is brilliant, relevant and meaningful.  

Avram was nominated by a school counselor at his school, Ramona Robertson.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that he is doing in his role as art teacher! 

Congratulations, Mr. Walters!  Thank you for your vital contributions to arts education. 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

 Mr. Walters is always willing to go the extra mile with his students. He is always there to greet his student with a positive attitude and encouraging word.

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

 When I had a senior student that was self-sabotaging and jeopardizing his graduation, with a deficit of .50 in Art, Mr. Walters personally stepped in to support and mentor that student through one of the most difficult times in his life.

How would students describe this arts educator?

 Students would describe Mr. Walters as fun, caring, considerate, collaborative and inspiring.

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

He uses various medias, cultures and tools to work with his student.  He has used his students to help create beautiful murals on our campus.  In addition, he offered a professional development for the entire staff that helped us become more mindful using the arts. He had the staff draw faces, put on relaxing music and showed us firsthand how the arts can help us all relax and focus.

What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

 He's not afraid to meet the kids where they are and take they where they need to go. You can put the most challenging student in his class and he always welcomes them with a warmth that is touching.  He truly cares about the students and uses the arts to help engage and connect with them.

May 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Allison Smith

We are so thrilled to introduce you to our May 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Ms. Allison Smith. Allison is a spectacular K-4 art teacher at Galapagos Rockford Charter School  in Rockford, Illinois.  She is beloved at her school and because of her strong instructional and planning skills, serves as a model to her colleagues school-wide.  She is dedicated to her scholars and regularly finds innovative and creative ways to encourage the pursuit of the arts not just at school but at home and in the community.  

 Allison was nominated by her supervisor, Stephanie Boeddeker.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that she is doing in her role as art teacher! 

Congratulations, Ms. Smith!  Thank you for your vital contributions to arts education. 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

 Allison is dedicated to the achievement of her scholars in art and all subject areas. She serves as a model for our instructors within her content and through her planning and organization in her classroom. 

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

 Allison encourages scholars to create and become an artist outside of the walls of her classroom. She ALWAYS has new and fresh displays of scholar artwork in the halls and takes the time to articulate what scholars are learning via their projects. She has taken initiative to create an art show for parents and makes art an important part of the curriculum in our school. 

How would students describe this arts educator?

 Scholars say Mrs. Smith is patient, caring, fun, and a great artist! 

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

 One of my favorite things that Allison does is a display she creates in the hall outside her classroom called the "Art Challenge Board". She encourages scholars to make art at home and bring it to her to display proudly. She tries to find ways to connect her content with scholars in their everyday life and encourage them to continue their journey as artists.

What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

 Allison really knows and understands scholars' academic levels outside of the art classroom. She takes time to understand what they are learning in other classes and supports them in other academic areas. She knows how to make her content important, while also investing herself in the school as a whole.

April 2019 Arts Educator of the Month: Noel Spring

We are so excited to introduce you to our April 2019 Arts Educator of the Month, Ms. Noel Spring.  Noel is an exceptional art teacher at Rusheon Middle School in Bossier City, Louisiana.  She works each and every day to ensure that her students are introduced to and actively working on a variety of arts projects.  Additionally, she uses her art class in strategic ways that allows for math, science, reading and social emotional learning integration.  Simply put, she is fantastic! 

Noel was nominated by Jacqui Impson, the school counselor at her school.  Read her nomination below to learn more about the incredible work that she is doing in her role as art teacher! 

Congratulations, Ms. Spring!  Thank you for your important contributions to arts education. 

Why do you think this arts educator deserves to be nominated?

 She is a dedicated, brilliant, talented, amazing woman and teacher! 

Tell us how this arts educator has gone above and beyond to help students.

Ms. Spring goes above and beyond the normal duties of an art teacher. She supports the students through mentoring with our PBIS Tier II Climb Program and provides extracurricular support with her Ram Pride Spirit Team. 

How would students describe this arts educator?

Many students say they love Ms. Spring because she believes in them even when they don’t believe in themselves. I’ve also been told they know when a teacher loves them like they are their own child and that Ms. Spring is one of those teachers. One of her students who needs behavioral support said, “Even when I don’t make the best decisions she is there to show me that she cares, even if it’s tough love.”

Please share the innovative and creative ways that this educator is teaching the arts.

She incorporates Math, Science and ELA into her lessons on a regular basis. The projects the students create are wonderful! They have made architectural pieces from popsicle sticks to represent key places in the world (Eiffel Tower, Stadiums, Twin Towers, etc.) The students do historical research on their locations as they prepare their design drafts prior to building. They have made some incredible tribal pieces this year that the students were extremely proud to show in the art gallery at our school. Another great project that she has done is an “emotions in abstract” assignment. The students are able to express themselves through their art and they have used it as therapy as they work through issues with sexuality, racism, domestic violence, self-harm, suicidal ideation, etc. Many of the pieces turned out amazing! 

What distinguishes this arts educator from their peers?

In the Bossier Parish Schools  i3 Art Expo  this year, Ms. Spring represented Rusheon with a display of our students’ art work and she won 1st place in the Parish!! She is a vital part of Rusheon and is dedicated to improving the school and the students. We are blessed to have her on our staff and in our Ram Family!