Timnath Middle High School 7th - 12th Grade

For my secondary placement, I was a mentee under Alisa Webb. Ms. Webb has been with Poudre School District for four years and has over a decade of experience in education. During this time, I observed how she managed her classroom and fostered an inclusive environment where students felt safe creating art. Her classroom was a space where students felt comfortable approaching their teacher and were encouraged to explore their identities through their work. I also had the opportunity to interact with parents during parent teacher conferences, an IEP meeting, and a 504 meeting. During the 504 meeting, I contributed my observations by sharing which art mediums I had seen the student succeed in.

My goal during this placement was to make the most of my time with Ms. Webb by observing how she sets up and teaches her classes, as well as how she supports students who need additional assistance. When setting up a class, she would begin with a brief introductory slideshow, typically no longer than five minutes, which gave students insight into her background, artwork, and teaching style. During instruction, she used slideshows strategically to guide the structure of each class period. For example, while a presentation might contain 30 slides, she would only cover a few each day in order to maximize student work time. One of the most valuable aspects I observed was how she supported struggling students. She provided gentle guidance, offering simple strategies to help students approach their work without taking over the creative process. This one on one support encouraged problem solving and independence.

One of the most important takeaways from this experience was understanding how essential it is for art classrooms to function as safe spaces. Timnath Middle High School places strong value on its art program, and the art teachers work intentionally to create an environment that is diverse, inclusive, equitable, and nonjudgmental. This environment allows students from marginalized backgrounds to feel a sense of belonging and provides a space for students experiencing trauma to express themselves and heal. Creating this kind of environment is something I will strive to achieve in my own classroom.

During my time at Timnath Middle High School, I also engaged in multiple parent interactions. I began by observing parent teacher conferences, which helped me understand how to communicate effectively with families. I participated in an IEP meeting, where I learned how accommodations are developed and reviewed over time. I also contributed to a 504 meeting by recommending accommodations to support a student’s success. Additionally, I interacted with a parent whose child thrived socially at school but struggled with artmaking. Learning how to navigate that conversation and support both the student and the parent was an invaluable experience.

Student Works with Me