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 learning community, her realistic approach to school planning, and her love for her students. It was never on my radar to leave the Hills, but I had a chance of working with Peyton Forest through my art leadership role with Dr. Womack, the coordinator of Fine Arts for Atlanta Public Schools. Through mentoring and classroom observations, I found myself sitting across from Principal Gunner. We chatted and discussed the importance of art education and how it can empower students and just over her shoulder was the reproduction of Henry O. Tanner's "The Banjo Lesson". The article from the New York Times had been intriguing and now her choice of office art planted a seed of wonder. You haven't seen the painting I just mentioned? Click the link to see a video about the work. But leaving would mean stepping away from the loving creative community of Garden Hills. Garden Hill's is a historic community with the legacy stretching back to 1938. The architecture screams history and I was proud to be a part of the history! Three years ago, I had an opportunity to sit before an interview panel leading to a sample lesson with a team of 2nd graders (now 5th grade students) and I walked away with the job! Garden Hills is a highly competitive position and it was like striking gold. Also, I had personal connections with friends having worked at the school in the past, both of which have moved into leadership roles within Atlanta and international. I was choosing to step away from a remarkable place, an art oasis, a community hyper-focused on student support....what was I supposed to do?!? I truly believe teaching is a calling. My calling to art education was cemented firmly when I explored how art changes communities in an introductory sculpture class which ended with my art being thrown in a dumpster. A story for another day! That class, that art project, and that dumpster affirmed my belief: art speaks volumes and I need to be a part of that world! (Little Mermaid reference *click here for the song.) Fifteen years ago, I left the University of West Georgia with the naive plan to stay at one school for my entire teaching career. On average teachers stay for less than five years and I was determined to stay thirty in one place! I wish that was the case! Staying at one school would have saved me muscle aches from packing and toting boxes and would have saved me tears rolling down my cheeks. Leaving a school for me is NEVER easy! Half way through my career and I am leaving for my fifth school. My track record has been: Liberty Point, Alcova, Five Forks, Garden Hills, and now Peyton Forest. My forever home is education and sometimes you get a calling like in "The Banjo Lesson" to share your knowledge with someone else, a different generation, or in my case a different school. Thank you to the community of Garden Hills for allowing me three amazing years with your children and hello to Peyton Forest, I am excited to share my love for art with you! Check out some of my favorite pictures from digital learning and from my three years at the Hills.
0 Comments
|
Art Room BlogContact Me Twitter
@erickson_sarah_ Archives
September 2021
|