I have taught for 16 years and two months, of which 15 months were/are in a pandemic, four Title I schools while sharing my creative talents with over 10,000 students, seven principals, hundreds of co-workers, and it is time to transition to the next phase of my education journey! (That was one long sentence.) As I have dug through my physical and digital files, it has been a great walk down memory lane.  Growing up, I worked in summer camps and taught children to swim as a lifeguard. Kids always seemed to like me and the water. In the infancy of my teaching career, my beliefs confirmed ..read more

I need your help. I know I often ask for your support of my students and classroom, but a dear friend inspired this fundraiser. Today is the first anniversary of losing my dear friend, Jamie Howell, to cancer. I met Jamie at the University of West Georgia (UWG) when I was 18 trying to find a seat in my first art education course. Our friendship grew through coursework, bloomed in our professional careers, and was cemented in our love for art. I recently created a portrait of Jamie. After submission to the annual Alumni Show at UWG, my art was accepted. I love honoring a former graduate and fri ..read more

We can all agree that teaching in a pandemic has presented challenges, pushed our creative boundaries, and reframed how we connect with students. As my District returned to face to face instruction in January, I started brainstorming how I can support the emotional, creative, and learning needs of my students while maintaining a safe and clean art room.   In addition to working in a global pandemic this year, I made the choice to transition to a new school. Let’s compound the elements, shall wel. Having worked with my previous school for three years, I knew the students and the crea ..read more

In the spirit of giving, let's support Atlanta Public School art teachers with their DonorChoose projects. We did this during back to school and nearly EVERY project was funded! Take advantage of the matching donation offers to maximize this day of giving! Here are a list of teachers and links to their projects: ​Carol Washburn (Usher ES)  ​Liz Sullivan (Mary Lin ES) FUNDED Sarah Erickson (Peyton Forest ES) FUNDED Martta Sareva (Hope Hill ES and Barack and Michelle Obama Academy) FUNDED Nostacia Adams (Carver Early College) Brina Hargro (Grady High School) FUNDED ..read more

Students have been accessing learning via Google Classroom and Zoom sessions. Check out our work so far in the semester.  ..read more

With my 16th year of teaching being altered by the pandemic, I am still just as eager and excited to see my students. This year is unique. One for the history books. From bitmoji classroom boom to the Brady Bunch style instruction of Zoom. We are charting new terrain.  Whether your school has opted to return or maintain virtual instruction, our classrooms still look very different. Students are expected to have their own equipment and supplies to reduce transmission rates.  Teachers are feverishly purchasing items from the dollar sections of major department stores to assist in pack ..read more

It has been a magical three years as the art teacher of Garden Hills, but it is time for me to move on the Forest. I hope the community, students, parents, and teachers of the Hills understand the difficulty in my choice to leave. An opportunity to work with Principal Cynthia Gunner presented itself in late April and I couldn't resist.  While scrolling my twitter feed back in 2018, I was introduced to Peyton Forest with an article in the New York Times magazine. Click here to read the article. After reading the article, I was inspired by Gunner's dedication to building a positive learnin ..read more

As school districts across the nation make proactive decisions to close schools to limit the spread of CORVID-19, teachers are planning, organizing, and beginning to take learning on to a digital platform. It can feel stressful and overwhelming to take curriculum, especially ART classrooms, online. There are so many resources and don't feel like you are alone. Reach out on social media, direct message a new friend, and use Google Meet to schedule face time with fellow teachers!  ​ As a middle grade teacher several years ago, my former district was super proactive and forward-thinking with ..read more

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