Teaching Experiences
Year 6 & 7 Learning Leader & Language Arts Teacher
2023 - 2024
This is my third year with Calgary Arts Academy After completing my Permanent Teaching Certificate, I was honoured to take on the role of 6/7 Learning Lead, leading my team of 5 through a year of Arts Immersion Learning. Another milestone for my professional development this year was mentoring my first University of Calgary student!
Continuing my passion of Language Arts, I am currently expanding my professional toolbox, eagerly exploring the tasks of leadership, team planning, interdisciplinary learning experiences, and love of all things art!
This learning year, I facilitated 160 students and managed a team of 5 colleagues to present and create our Sacred Elements Jubilee Piece. 6/7 learners connected their learning of Sciences, Mathematics, Social Studies and Indigenous Learning into a 10 minute performative presentation, of which focused on the over arching theme of community & arts immersion learning!
Year 6 & 7 Learning 2022 - 2023
For the 2022 - 2023 school year, I continued my passion for arts immersion learning, embarking on a second year at Calgary Arts Academy. With a new campus in the community of Rosscarrock, my colleagues & I got to experience setting up a school from scratch, building culture with our students, and making the building reflect our talented students!
With a professional goal of focusing on community relationships and artist mentorship, I lead Year 6, 7 & 8 students through an arts immersion field trip, connecting themes of our learning contract "Time Capsule", and local artist Marcia Harris' "Re Imagined Artwork". Through the interdisciplinary study of historical artworks, Imperialism, colonialism, story through symbolism and historical literature, students re created a modern take on Boch's Garden of Earthly Delights, posing for various photography shots, and being painted in a real life artwork!
With learning opportunities, came the experience to see continue collaboration & mentorship, workshopping with students to re create or imagine a work of their own. Through research, artistic expression, and partnership, I am proud to announce that one of my learners artworks were published and purchased at the Christine Klassen Gallery - Show casing Marcia Harris.
Marcia Harris
Girl with the Pearl Earbud
Sabina Alt, Year 6
Year 6 Featured Artwork that was chosen by Marcia. A modern take on "Girl with the pearl earring".
Artist Marcia Harris Making It Happen!
Modern Take
Year 7
Students showcasing their props for the photography season in St. Patricks Island. Props were influenced from Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights.
Year 7 & 8 Learning 2021 - 2022
For the 2021-2022 school year, I was lucky enough to have Grade 7 as my very first homeroom, developing and facilitating an inclusive classroom community. Through various circle meetings, team-building opportunities, as well as arts immersion workshops, my year 7 group & I were able to build a meaningful and safe learning environment, developing skills of resiliency, grit, and growth mindset. This was key in keeping with our spirit and artistry through the challenges of the Covid -19 Pandemic.
Grade 7 & 8 Language Arts were heavily focused on the expression of self, including themes of mental health, identity, music, world events, and the artistry of words. Following the novel studies of Skellig (Yr. 7) and A Monster Calls (Yr. 8), learners enhanced their critical thinking skills by continually connecting the stories' events to their personal life & aspirations.
Through community collaboration experiences, literacy artistry, multi-aged learning, and peer mentorship, Year 7 & 8 learners enhanced their sense of self and connection to others, strengthening their holistic self.
Remembrance Day Art Installation
"We See Red" expressing the gratitude students have in regards to everyday things we are fortunate enough to experience, thanks to soldiers who fought for our freedom.
The Monster Who Calls Me
An original artwork, expressing identity and the "Inner Monster" who calls this student. Created to connect to the Year 8 novel study and the strength our inner selves have on our perception if self.
If I Were A Bird
An artwork that expresses this students values, passions, triumphs, and expression, drawing creative artistry in the original creation of a new bird species. This was created in connection to the Year 7 novel study.
Book Publishing
After students listened, read, and analyzed various authors and narration styles, learners wrote, edited, and published their own "Giant" novels. Year 7 & 8 learners attended each-others Book Fair to provide feedback and appreciation on one another's work.
Calgary Arts Academy
Public Charter
Calgary Arts Academy is a progressive public charter which engages students through arts immersion learning! For the 2021 - 2022 school year, and the 2022 - 2023 school year, I have had the pleasure of leading 100 learners through an exciting and engaging academic school year.
Using the Circle of Courage to guide my practice, assessment, and classroom community, CAA students, staff, and guardians engaged in consistent and meaningful communication, enhancing authentic learning opportunities. Team teaching and collaboration were enhanced throughout the year, expanding my teaching philosophy and holistic learning skills.
Using my artistry and passion for music, I was able to expand my learning and teaching capacity, discovering new passion and solidifying the fundamentalism of arts immersion learning.