HOPE IS OPTIMISTIC DISCONTENT. |
Photo by Alicia Savage
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A little about MY INTENT I consider myself a dreamer, but one that also has her feet planted firmly on the ground. I often find myself reflecting on my teaching practices and dreaming of new lessons and possibilities for students to explore. I am very excited to be sharing my thoughts and reflections in the field of art education with you. I hope that whatever I decide to share here will be helpful or inspiring to other artist educators, if not also amusing at times.
As I look around at the world of education, I see moments and practices that could benefit from some reflection. I have been told that I am a natural reflective practitioner so this comes somewhat easily to me. As I contemplate the state of education, and apply it through my lens and practice of art education, I see things (some little, some big) that give me feelings of dissatisfaction -- of discontent. But the fact that I also approach them with the mindset that things can change, that we each can grow and make a difference, meets this discontent with a hopeful optimism. I look for the helpers that help dreams take flight. Will you dream with me ? |
About
WEBSITE
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This website was created to help art teachers navigate visual art standards and using them to write curriculum. The website helps share resources and methods curated and created by Michelle Ridlen and other arts teachers implementing the 2014 National Visual Arts Standards (NVAS). These correlate with states such as Missouri that have adopted standards which utilize the four artistic processes of Create, Present, Respond, and Connect.
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MICHELLE RIDLEN
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Michelle Ridlen is an artist educator and educational consultant. She has taught visual arts for over eighteen years, to students at each level from elementary to high school. She was the 2016 National Western Division Supervision Administration Art Educator of the Year as well as the 2015 Missouri National Supervision Administration Art Educator of the Year. In addition to teaching, Michelle served as a state level Fine Arts work group leader and helped write the Missouri Fine Arts Learning Standards that were adopted in 2019. Michelle has presented locally as well as nationally and provided training to teachers on instructional methods, curriculum, and assessment. Michelle loves being able to connect with educators to provide professional development that is immediately useful in their daily practice.
More about Michelle... |
PRESENTATIONS & TRAININGS
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Michelle is available for consultations, presentations, and trainings. Please contact her using the form below or by email at optdiscontent@gmail. com
*All presentations and trainings are customized to the group and teachers that are receiving the training. Possible topics include:
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THANK YOU
I want to thank all the amazing educators I work with on a daily basis -- writing curriculum, visiting classrooms, discussing what is going on with our students and in the lives of teachers. The amount of skill and talent and passion I see in you is incredible and motivates me to do more. I am so lucky to be able to work with you and be inspired by what you are doing with kids.
I also want to thank Dan Rockwell, of Leadership Freak, where I gathered gumption and inspiration from his post here.
I dream big, and without taking steps toward the future, change can not happen. The quote above is from him and inspires me to continue to grow as a leader.
Inspiration comes from a number of sources, and I am surrounded by many. Countless teachers and artists who continue to do amazing things will no doubt continue to spark thoughts and reflections that I feel confident you will find inspiring too.
I want to thank all the amazing educators I work with on a daily basis -- writing curriculum, visiting classrooms, discussing what is going on with our students and in the lives of teachers. The amount of skill and talent and passion I see in you is incredible and motivates me to do more. I am so lucky to be able to work with you and be inspired by what you are doing with kids.
I also want to thank Dan Rockwell, of Leadership Freak, where I gathered gumption and inspiration from his post here.
I dream big, and without taking steps toward the future, change can not happen. The quote above is from him and inspires me to continue to grow as a leader.
Inspiration comes from a number of sources, and I am surrounded by many. Countless teachers and artists who continue to do amazing things will no doubt continue to spark thoughts and reflections that I feel confident you will find inspiring too.