Student Teaching

Elementary Placement

Olander Elementary School for Project Based Learning

Address: 3401 Auntie Stone St. Fort Collins, CO 80526

Dates: October 7th- December 11th

The Olander mission is “Empowering children to reach their full potential and fostering the love of learning through a collaborative, creative, purposeful education.” Teachers have a growth mindset so students embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn.

Students at Olander are encouraged to always show the Osprey Way by supporting Olander's culture of mutual respect, personal responsibility, safety, and "doing your best”. The minority enrollment at Olander is 30% and 41% of students are economically disadvantaged. Genders of students is a 50 50 split.

At Olander Elementary I taught art to over 300 students in the K-5 grades. The art program at Olander teaches the elements and principles of art. Each week, all grades will interact with the element or principal with an age appropriate project. Students are encouraged to add their own creative touches to the projects that we work on to explore their art style and creativity. Each day, students meet me on the carpet and we go over what they are working on and how our project relates to the elements and principals that we are working on. As students learn more of the elements we scaffold our learning. For example, we were working on the art element of space and drawing in one point perspective in 5th grade. The week before, we talked about texture. In their one point perspective drawings I encouraged students to show texture in their work as well. Most of the time in art is spent with the actual making. Students work on their projects and I circle around the room making sure to check in with every student at least once each class. This is a time where I give verbal feedback on work, help as needed, and build relationships with students. Getting to know the elementary students had been such amazing experience. They are so kind and talented and I enjoy seeing their creativity and art skills grow every week.

Secondary Placement

Timnath Middle-High School

Address: 4700 E Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Dates: August 8th- October 4th

Timnath Middle-High Schools motto is "You Belong Here" and teachers have a goal to teach every student everyday. They also have an academic policy where teachers have high expectations and believe that students can learn at high levels. Their curriculum includes includes English, mathematics, science, history, art, world language, music, physical education, technology, and leadership. The minority enrollment at Timnath is 22% and 28% of students qualify for free or reduced lunches.

At Timnath Middle High-School I taught around 160 students from 9th-12th grade. I had the opportunity to teach and co-teach classes like pottery and advanced pottery, art appreciation, commercial photography, drawing, and design foundations. In high school, I made a very valuable connection with my art teacher and she helped me while I was struggling as a student. Being a teenage student can be a very difficult time and I want to be a teacher that can help students who are struggling and see their value as an individual. I made such amazing connections with the high schoolers and started to build many relationships. Seeing the students express themselves through their work and become artists was a magical experience. The students at Timnath were so welcoming to me as a student teacher and made my time there such a joy. I started every class by talking about the project they were working on and then circled the room while they worked. Students often asked me for advise about their projects. I taught them many things that I have learned through my art education and I was able to learn from many of the talented young artists there.