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switching/ do you have art in your public schools?

updated sat 1 sep 07

 

Sally Guger on thu 30 aug 07


I teach art in a somewhat small school system near Madison, Wi. We have around 200 students per grade level- I'm fortunate that the community supports the arts for the most part- we don't have a fine arts requirement but we're heading that way. We teach art with a higher purpose in mind than just making stuff. Self-expression, reflecting on society, understanding art movements in the past, being more human, thinking differently, seeing things differently, increasing self-worth, appreciating diversity- just to name a few reasons!!

We have around a dozen electric wheels in the high school, and 6 in the middle school. Also, 2 Peter Puggers, 2 slab rollers, 2 kickwheels, and various kilns- We're mixing our own cone 6 glazes this year.

We also offer a number of courses in other art areas, including AP studio art. We have a professional gallery, we have had the Cone Box Show on exhibit, and Don Hunt has done several workshops with our students.

All of this has been art teacher driven. No matter how much money, or technology, or other resources a school district has, it seems to me that it takes dedicated human beings to find ways to offer a quality program whether it's in the visual arts or any other discipline.

http://www.saukpr.k12.wi.us/~gugersa/ Here's the link to our website- please let me know if it doesn't take you there!

I consider myself a professional potter- but teaching rewards me in ways too numerous to ever count. (This is definitely an end of August- not an end of May train of thought!!)

The Goodsons wrote:
Fred parker wrote:

"In my amateur's mind I can't help believing it has something to do with

the

> >educational process -- or lack of one. Art should be in the public
>
schools.

> >Design should be also. "
I am happy to say that where I live (North Carolina) there is actually
more art education in public schools now. When I went to grade school,
in the 70's, we only had art teachers in the high schools. But now,
all of our schools have art teachers. Some schools even have pottery
wheels and kilns. Both of my boys were able to fit 3 to 4 semesters of
high school Art into a college bound schedule. What is it like in your
areas? Do others not have art in the public schools? I live in a
small town - the largest town is Charlotte, NC - about 1 hour away. I
do think that people in my town appreciate the arts. I would love to
know what it is like in other areas.

Thanks,
Linda Goodson
Lincolnton, NC

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Live, Give, Love
Beyond All Expectation.
Sally Guger
Lakespur Blue Pottery & Sculpture
Lodi, Wisconsin, USA


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Larry and Joanna on thu 30 aug 07


Austin, Tx.
Art is thriving in our public schools. Art is taught
by certified Art Specialists, and every school has a
kiln. Mostly Skutt, mostly w/computerized controls.
All teachers must take kiln maintenance and repair
training.
This year the school board has reinstated mostly
single class size (22 kids/ 1 teacher, ex. gr. 5 which
can have 28) groups for classes in elementary music,
art and P.E., after a 3 year stint of saving money by
putting extra students in those subject area classes.

The state of Texas mandates a certain number of
hours per year, that works out to 45 minutes of Art
every three days, K-5, and although only one Fine Arts
high school credit is needed to graduate, students can
take more.
Joanna Vaughn

The Goodsons on thu 30 aug 07


Fred parker wrote:

"In my amateur's mind I can't help believing it has something to do with

the

> >educational process -- or lack of one. Art should be in the public
>
schools.

> >Design should be also. "
I am happy to say that where I live (North Carolina) there is actually
more art education in public schools now. When I went to grade school,
in the 70's, we only had art teachers in the high schools. But now,
all of our schools have art teachers. Some schools even have pottery
wheels and kilns. Both of my boys were able to fit 3 to 4 semesters of
high school Art into a college bound schedule. What is it like in your
areas? Do others not have art in the public schools? I live in a
small town - the largest town is Charlotte, NC - about 1 hour away. I
do think that people in my town appreciate the arts. I would love to
know what it is like in other areas.

Thanks,
Linda Goodson
Lincolnton, NC

James and Sherron Bowen on fri 31 aug 07


When my friend mark left our somewhat small local school (200 students total
in K-12) the school got rid of nearly all the pottery making equipment
keeping only one wheel and the electric kiln. The school he moved to is
somewhat smaller yet (100 students in K-12).
JB

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sally Guger"
To:
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 9:28 PM
Subject: Re: switching/ Do you have art in your public schools?


>I teach art in a somewhat small school system near Madison, Wi. We have
>around 200 students per grade level- I'm fortunate that the community
>supports the arts for the most part- we don't have a fine arts requirement
>but we're heading that way. We teach art with a higher purpose in mind than
>just making stuff. Self-expression, reflecting on society, understanding
>art movements in the past, being more human, thinking differently, seeing
>things differently, increasing self-worth, appreciating diversity- just to
>name a few reasons!!
>
> We have around a dozen electric wheels in the high school, and 6 in the
> middle school. Also, 2 Peter Puggers, 2 slab rollers, 2 kickwheels, and
> various kilns- We're mixing our own cone 6 glazes this year.
>
> We also offer a number of courses in other art areas, including AP studio
> art. We have a professional gallery, we have had the Cone Box Show on
> exhibit, and Don Hunt has done several workshops with our students.
>
> All of this has been art teacher driven. No matter how much money, or
> technology, or other resources a school district has, it seems to me that
> it takes dedicated human beings to find ways to offer a quality program
> whether it's in the visual arts or any other discipline.
>
> http://www.saukpr.k12.wi.us/~gugersa/ Here's the link to our
> website- please let me know if it doesn't take you there!
>
> I consider myself a professional potter- but teaching rewards me in ways
> too numerous to ever count. (This is definitely an end of August- not an
> end of May train of thought!!)
>
> The Goodsons wrote:
> Fred parker wrote:
>
> "In my amateur's mind I can't help believing it has something to do with
>
> the
>
>> >educational process -- or lack of one. Art should be in the public
>>
> schools.
>
>> >Design should be also. "
> I am happy to say that where I live (North Carolina) there is actually
> more art education in public schools now. When I went to grade school,
> in the 70's, we only had art teachers in the high schools. But now,
> all of our schools have art teachers. Some schools even have pottery
> wheels and kilns. Both of my boys were able to fit 3 to 4 semesters of
> high school Art into a college bound schedule. What is it like in your
> areas? Do others not have art in the public schools? I live in a
> small town - the largest town is Charlotte, NC - about 1 hour away. I
> do think that people in my town appreciate the arts. I would love to
> know what it is like in other areas.
>
> Thanks,
> Linda Goodson
> Lincolnton, NC
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
> Live, Give, Love
> Beyond All Expectation.
> Sally Guger
> Lakespur Blue Pottery & Sculpture
> Lodi, Wisconsin, USA
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who
> knows.
> Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
>
>