Mrs. Carrie Hooper

Art Teacher - Oakley Elementary & Fairview Elementary

I have been teaching art at Oakley Elementary and Fairview Elementary since Fall of 2022 but I have been teaching art since 2014. I got my degree in art education from UNCA , I got started in my art career through digital art, my bachelors degree is in Multimedia Arts and Sciences with an emphasis on 3D animation. One cool thing I have been able to do was teach in a different country! In 2011 I was invited to travel to Saudi Arabia for the summer to teach web design to teenagers at an international summer workshop. I enjoyed the opportunity to experience a different culture that summer and I love to give my students a taste of different cultures in the art that we create together.

In my classroom I like to create an environment where students are encouraged to explore, tap into their intuitive creativity, and grow in their skills and knowledge. I want my students to learn that they can use art to communicate their thoughts and ideas in a visual way.

I like to start every class on the right foot by greeting my students with smiles and welcomes at the door as they come in. Then we begin class by repeating the same positive phrases at the start of each class, which I think is important for their social/emotional health. Even though I teach hundreds of students each year my goal is always to make each one feel that they are important and that I care about them. I believe it is important to set very clear and consistent behavior management systems and classroom routines so that students always know what to expect when they come to class.

One thing I especially love about being an art educator is that I get to teach about every one of the core subjects alongside art skills and techniques. As an art teacher I like to show students how all the subjects are interconnected. We make math connections when we draw geometric shapes, fold paper using fractions, and measure with rulers. We make social studies connections when we create art inspired by different times and countries. We make literacy connections when we create art inspired by literature and when we write reflections with artist statements. We use science when we mix colors, learn about how rainbows work, and build with clay. In art my students also get a chance to explore their emotions and identities through their artwork. Art class is a great place to express yourself!