Annual Faculty & Staff Snow People

Every year I provide an opportunity for the faculty/staff to create a snow person, snow globe, or snowball to put on display.  It is a wildly popular tradition that comes with a bit of lore.  The year I began this...we had a snowstorm, and were out of school for ten days.  The teachers believed the snow people brought the snow. So every year we continue on the traditions in hope that we get our max snow days! ha ha This year had AMAZING participation. We also had several teachers working together to make their snow people.  I loved the grade level that did Encanto!  SO. MUCH. FUN! 

For those wanting to do this project at your school in January...GO FOR IT!  I pre-make the snow people forms, and place them next to our faculty/staff mailboxes.  By doing this...it helps remove some intimidation for those who don't consider themselves creative & lets me control the size of the display (for the most part!?!?).   

 

Staff Fall Paint Night

It has been 2 years since we had a faculty/staff paint night at my school.  I had cellulitis, we had a tornado, a global pandemic...lots of things kind of got in the way!  One thing I knew...we had to bring paint night back!!! It is such a wonderful time for faculty/staff to enjoy one another's company, decompress, laugh, and a whole lot more!!  I have my teacher donate a couple dollars and I furnish all all the paint and canvases.  I create stencils (this year with the help of my practicum students) that allow those a little less confident with their drawing skills to feel successful.  I encourage everyone to do their own thing, and I float around the room and help them if they run into trouble.  We have hair drier stations set up so that they can do a quick dry to get to their next layer.  If you aren't doing paint nights at your school...think about giving it a try!  It really allows others to see you as an art educator...in a new light! 

Ms. King was so proud of her beautiful painting!! She has always come to the paint nights but struggled to finish her work and get it to a place that she really loved.  This was her paint night though...she finished her work and it was wonderful!!! 

 

Faculty/Staff Project

Over break I worked on preparing this year's winter faculty/staff project. I try to do this every year(usually before Christmas Break).  It all started years ago...when I first decided to do this type of a thing at my school.  Well, that year we ended up having several snow days(something that doesn't always happen in Middle TN).  The teachers/staff linked the winter project with the snow days. SO NOW...they want to do it every year!! ha ha   I'm not sure the power they have over the weather, but it sure is fun seeing everyone create & the students also LOVE guessing who made which one! I do try to switch it up a little bit every year....because I had several teachers try to give me their old project the following year! ha ha 

If you aren't doing this with your faculty/staff...maybe consider something like it for spring (rain drops or flowers)? 

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ONES FROM YEARS PAST

I'll post pictures after the teachers/staff have completed their snowpeople!

Hand Made Gift for Our Retiring Principal

In the fall I led a PD session on writing in the art room....and had a clay making component.  My principal even participated.  Little did she know she was helping make her retirement present!! I had all the teachers make a coil for the vase using a copied circle(so they were the same size).  They also made two leaves each with words that described our school.  After the session was done I assembled the coils & added a vine wrapping around with many of the leaves dealing with her on it.  SHE CRIED.  We will miss her so much...she has been here for 13 years, and has been so good for our school & community!  

Faculty Bonding

We have a new assistant principal this year....and at her old school many participated in the Mayor's 5K Challenge.  So she challenged us to join in! ( It is a free 5K to encourage activity, health, and involvement in our city!)  We had probably close to 20 adults (admin, teachers, assistants, and subs) from our school participate!!!  I designed the shirts(big surprise?!?).  

It was a run/walk...bring your babies...bring your pets kind of 5K.  SO MUCH FUN!

I recommend something like this for you and your faculty!! It was so nice to get together on a beautiful day...and just enjoy being together doing an activity!!!  No real school talk or anything.  It is something that bonds a group...and most schools need more of that!!

I did start!!

Ms. Sanford...my student teacher from the beginning of the year joined in too!  She took the PRAXIS at 8 in the morning....went to church...and then came and did the 5K!!! She's pretty awesome.  

I did finish!!!

SOME OF THE AMAZING VIEWS FROM THE 5K!

More Faculty Snowmen!

This Sheldon snowman was made my principal.  She LOVES The Big Bang Theory!!  She doesn't feel she's an artist, but she always does great work!!!!  BAZINGA!!!!!!

This snowman has a lot of heart!!  This teacher overcame breast cancer last year, and has a fun short cropped hair now.  She stayed positive, kept working out, and kept working throughout her treatment.  She is a true fighter and inspiration to all!!!!!!!  

The faceless snowman is awesome...but I have no idea who made it?!?!?!?! ha ha  

The V snowman is Vandy for you non-TN people.  

The Alabama snowman is my assistant principal...who totally did NOT make his own snowman.  He had one of our secretaries do it.  She did a great job, but I totally called him on it! ha ha  The snowman in the black dress is a Teach For America teacher that is new to our school. She's AWESOME!  She has very long hair...and always wears it in a messy bun...kind of a fun hipster person.

This was created by a teacher that is a MAJOR germaphobe!!!!!!!  I laughed so hard when she gave this to me....cause I've actually seen her with rubber gloves and Lysol before cleaning her classroom!!!