My students attend a rural high poverty school district. Visual art students are often the outliers and are not concerned with following the crowd. My students are no exception. They are who they are and they are great with that.
My students are the artists and the dreamers; the students who like to create and communicate with their hands and their hearts.
In teaching visual art, I emphasize the importance of communicating ideas through visual means. My students are encouraged to think and develop strong design skills that translate well into many professions.
The reality of learning in a rural environment is that too many students have limited access to technology and cultural opportunities. Resources are limited and as a result, the arts are often viewed as a frill instead of providing experiences that are critical 21st-century skills.
Given opportunities, many of my students go on to utilize what they have learned in my classes in their careers and lives as designers, artists, filmmakers, photographers, architects, costume designers, tradespeople, educators, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
My Project
My students have been learning to use a Cricut Maker that we received through a previous Donors Choose grant. One of our goals is to learn to design and create original vinyl images for heat transfer designs. As part of that process, we need a heat press to transfer our vinyl designs to shirts, hats, banners, etc.
My art students are excited to explore the endless possibilities that our Cricut offers us for designing, making, and displaying clothing and more when combined with the practical functionality of a heat press.
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Lemmo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
