Hello!
I'm Michelle. I am very excited to share my thoughts, experiences, and reflections in the field of art education. I was born and raised in a Mid-western suburb of St. Louis. After discovering my passion for art and a desire to teach, I went to the University of Missouri – Columbia for my undergraduate degree in Art Education. I focused on learning as many art processes as possible with an emphasis in Ceramics and Printmaking. I earned my Master’s degree in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum with an emphasis in Art from the University of Missouri and then went on to pursue a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Western Governor's University. I hope to continue soon on my Ph.D., researching student learning in visual art. In the meantime, I continue to learn by keeping up on reading, collaborating with my colleagues, and taking an active role in my professional organizations like NAEA and MAEA. I have been an artist/educator for more than nineteen years. Currently I am a district Fine Arts Curriculum Content Leader for grades K-12. I work with music, theatre, and visual art teachers facilitating curriculum composition, assessment writing, and professional development. I have been working in curriculum for ten+ years, fostering and feeding my insane fascination for the what and how we teach art. Incidentally, I work as a coach and a support system for my teachers in their daily work. I am also a National Board Certified Teacher, which was one of the best personal professional development journeys I've taken. Before stumbling into the supervision/administration side of education, I was both a middle school and high school art teacher, where I loved creating with my students. Each age group brought about unique challenges and celebrations. Most recently, I have started teaching our Summer School Summer Art Academy where I am lucky to work with middle school and elementary age students who are enthusiastic about exploring their creative potential. |
• SchoolArts Collection: Early Childhood
Davis Publications, 2020 • "Thinking Like an Architect" SchoolArts magazine December 2019 • "Science and Clay Snails" SchoolArts magazine March 2018 • NAEA Monthly Mentor December 2016 • Curriculum Guides - Douglass Square and Jolly Flatboatmen in Port Missouri Art Education Association April 2016 • What is Sculpture? Teacher's Guide St. Louis Art Museum web resource |
• 2015 Missouri Supervision/Administration
Art Educator of the Year • 2016 National Western Division Supervision/Administration Art Educator of the Year • 2021 MAAE Administrator of the Year |
• National Visual Arts Standards
• Backward Design in Fine Art Curriculum Writing • Inquiry-based Art Instruction • Authentic Performance Task Assessments in Visual Art |