OHS – Site Observation

4 art teachers at Oakton – each teacher has their own account/budget

OHS has a relaxed environment and supports the arts

Learning Environment: 

1.) Very large studio space

• Equipment
• Kiln – did not see other machines such as an extruder
• Lots of donated items – paints etc.

Classes are fun, but productive

Teachers aim to create classes attractive to prospective students and keep students engaged.

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Notes from teachers

• “I don’t know” is common within the classroom
• If a student wants to know about something the teacher is unsure about, research it – be proactive
• The budget is handled different at different schools
• Student fees
• Donations
• Certain schools have corporate sponsorship (ex) South County -Lockheed Martin
• Financial Responsibility for the year

• consumable = used/gone within the semester
• instructional = last a long time – equipment, cameras etc
• $1350/per student in the school – up to principal to allocate it

• It is important to have a good relationship with the Principal
• They are in charge – can make things a lot easier
• Be nice to cleaning people

• VA requires 1 Fine Arts/Performing Arts class
• Fairfax county requires 2 consecutive Fine Arts classes

Notes from all teachers – After the observation was done

• “I don’t know” is common within the classroom
• If a student wants to know about something the teacher is unsure about, research it – be proactive

Notes from Class – expectations

Surprised By

• Capstone projects – sophisticated, deep, impressive – engaged topics
• Students are very aware about what’s going on in the world
• Students are activists, engaged – (ex) reaction to Florida

How do art teachers create a culture where students can engage in deep social issues?

Takes a lot of time and experience for a school to get on that level – experienced faculty

• All 4 teachers were on the same page about journals/sketchbooks
• How do teachers exhibit artwork?
• Pyramid art shows – pyramid is like a school district – certain elementary schools go to certain middle schools and end up at a certain high school
• Should it be inclusive to everyone or selective like a sports team
• 1/2 year vs. full year art class
• Difficult for most students to take a full year elective – sometimes not able to until junior year
• Traditional art rooms – high budget, high maintenance to up keep
• Clear that students and the community value art

What’s art education going to look like in 5-10 years?

• Innovative technology

Interesting to see how more experienced teachers teach vs. newer teachers

• They all had different stances on cell phone use
• Approach cell phone usage different
  • social media as a tool, music
  • learning tool vs. distraction

Education is a reflection of society

• Certain things remain the same – teaching, high school students
• Certain things change with the time
• Have to be critical about our own biases
• unpack our biases
• we always compare new things to things we knew before
• how do you process new things – are you open to them?