MTSU Department of Art & Design Spring Open House

Saturday I was invited to participate in the MTSU Department of Art & Design Spring Open House. ( This is a university in Middle TN that I receive most of my student teachers & practicum students from.  They have a WONDERFUL art education program!!! ) They opened up their doors to the community to come in and learn about the department as well as provided hands on experiences.  IT WAS AMAZING!!!  They did such a good job of providing fun actives, valuable information, and a warm welcoming environment.  I loved seeing families, current students, art educators from the Middle TN area all exploring, learning, and participating together!  The volunteers/professors/staff seemed to be enjoying the experience as well! 

GREAT JOB MTSU DEPARTMENT OF ART & DESIGN!!!!!!

I probably talked the ear off of the professor that was running this demo!! ha ha  She was amazing & so knowledgeable.  I probably could have spent the whole day in there!!

This was vinyl press in the Graphic Design department! I was able to get a cute canvas bag made with the Art & Design Department logo!

I visited the encaustics demo & found a couple of my fellow MNPS teachers hard at work!! I had just taken encaustics at our fall conference....
& it was busy in there.....so I let others take my spot.

This was student work hanging in the hall that I just loved!

 The art world's future looks bright!!

This was a hands on sand casting session.  I had never done sand casting before...it was so much fun!  I also was able to spend time with some of my Middle TN buddies!! What do you think of my octopus?!?! I love him!! He is going to be hanging out on my desk.

Practicum Take Over!!!

'My practicum students created & taught their own lessons this week!!  It has been fun to watch them as they see success & areas that need improvement.  As a teacher of many many moons.....it is so energizing to see young educators start to discover who they are!!

2nd Grade
Ms. Wilson did a POP ART lesson focused on Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.
The kids loved creating their own wacky flavors.
(Though one is Mr. E flavored...and the paint brush has red on it?? My blood?)

1st Grade

Ms. Saunders focused her lessons on Picasso & him abstracted portraits.

The students laughed so much as they created versions of themselves with eyes, ears, and mouths going every which way!  They also enjoyed using construction paper crayons.

Ms. Alday read to the students a story about scarecrows.  The students focused on using shapes to create their works of art.  They also used construction paper crayons.  

The practicum students are doing an amazing job...and my students are really enjoying them being here at our school!!  It is really a win-win situation if you are on the fence about practicum students!! 

SO FUNNY!!!

The practicum students are required to take pictures of themselves & send them to their professor each time they come to my classroom.  Well...I thought it would be fun to brighten their professor's day!!! So we are doing silly pictures in the art room every Monday & Tuesday!! I'm glad they are such amazing sports about this!! 

Can I just keep them forever!!! 

Practicum Students

I'm fortunate to teach in an area that has several colleges that offer art education.  This allows me the opportunity for observations, practicum students, and student teachers.  I count it a blessing, privileged, and duty to welcome these educators in training into my classroom, and be a part of their art education journey.  Any one of them could potentially teach my students in the years to come.  Any one of them could potentially teach my own children.  I care about my students...and I care about my kids!! I want them to have the best possible art education....and if I can play a part in that....why wouldn't I?!?!

I encourage my practicum students to set down and work along side the kids to get to know them...and to model art skills & details in their work. 

I also have them take over parts of my lessons as soon as possible.  I want them to gain confidence in the art room...and have as many experiences as possible!!  They will teach their own lesson in a week or two....this was just getting them more prepared!!! 

They enjoyed the emotion monster lesson I was doing with 1st grade....but I'm wondering why they all did angry?!?!!? What is going on in my practicum students' lives??!??!?! ha ha ha  

Practicum Students' Poster/Display

I've long worked with the art education department at MTSU (Middle TN State University).  I've had a majority of my student teachers come from there, and who knows how many practicum students!!!  They truly have a wonderful program that well prepares their student for the world of art education.

As part of their stay with me (they send me three at a time..twice a week... for about 5 weeks),  they have to create a bulletin board/display.  I'm kind of possessive about my bulletin boards...so have them make posters for my wall.  Here are this year's offerings!!