#tyteachers

“I don’t just believe that the arts and humanities in education is valuable during distance learning, I believe that they are vital, to us all.  They have been categorized as the ‘side dish or desert’ to core subjects which have long been promoted as more important or substantial to The foundation of student learning.   As an artist and educator, I beg to differ. We are in the 21st Century and distance learning is forcing us to face the music (pun intended) now more than ever.   My challenge as an artist, educator, mother and grandmother is to challenge my scholars to think. Thinking and curiosity to ask good questions the basis to learning, exploring and creating.  I believe that these things, which are the core values of the arts and humanities, are even more essential to strengthen our learners in a holistic way.   I feel it is time all schools, not just the privileged, incorporate the arts and humanities as an essential and holistic approach to learning. These are truly surreal times and the arts and humanities can be used to heal. I have tried to implement my lessons to both heal, challenge and help students relate to what we are all going through. None of this is easy for any of us, but the arts and humanities can help.”

“The arts and humanities remain important because they provide students with more languages to express themselves during a time of unease, isolation, and trauma. Every student has their own preferred way to communicate, and these methods are crucial as we encourage students to cope, be resilient, and continuing learning. Students use the arts to connect to peers and to the world, so continuing to provide students with these tools is a matter of equity.”

“Arts and humanities are especially valuable during distance learning because these are uncharted territories for most of us. The arts, however, are consistent. With the arts you can explore and express your feelings and use what you have. We didn’t always have stages, instruments or tools for the arts and now we are back to the root of creating. Creating from and with almost nothing. But we do have our knowledge. We have our experiences and we have our emotions. What can we create from those things? That’s art! For me especially I’m able to delve into the integration of the arts; specifically dance. As a dance educator at an arts integration school I have dedicated my time now to connecting math and science to my lessons and make them assessable for parents and students. Though these are uncertain and frightening times, the exploration that we are able to have right now is amazing.”

  “The arts are one of the most collaborative experiences. Though working through this collaboration virtually poses new challenges like never seen before, who better to take this on than artists. We figure out how to make it rain on stage, we figure out how to fly a green witch above a theater, how to make chimney sweeps tap upside down around a proscenium but some of the real magic comes from within the arts classrooms. We tell our children: it's possible. We let them dream and those dreams open new doors in all facets of their life. A health pandemic may make that more challenging but it certainly doesn't change that. However, it is not always an easy task inside the classroom to coach creativity. Students just want to be heard, loved, and valued but sometimes they come with darkness that isn't their fault. The arts have always been able to penetrate that darkness. Unfortunately this health pandemic doubles that darkness for some of our students, so arts education is even more important. We as teaching artists are finding new resources, new means of communication and new strength to reach out to students and still allow them to unleash their creativity, still provide an outlet. It's the time for compassion and creativity. We as teaching artists are here to create that environment for our students and foster new ways of expression.”

 “Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, logical, intrapersonal and interpersonal are some of styles in which students learn. Integration of arts and humanities in the classroom allows a teacher to meet all or most of a students learning style in one lesson. Allowing students to express mastery of a skill or concept in a creative manner, is a more accurate way for teachers to collect data. Now more than ever teachers and students must think of non-traditional ways to meet academic expectations. During distance learning the use of technology, arts and humanities has helped tremendously.”

“It is through the arts and humanities that we celebrate life's joys and to grieve life's sorrows; that we ground ourselves in the experiences of each day; that we find comfort and connection; that we express and understand emotions and experiences. The arts and humanities are inseparable from our existence. Providing educational opportunities and resources helps our students and families increase their skills and repertoire for surviving and thriving during all phases of life.”

“During this time of social distancing, our scholars are missing the connection of friends and all that comes with being a social being. Arts and humanities education is still valuable during distance learning, because it enables scholars to connect with others through the art, through compassion, and allows them to express themselves and their feelings. One quote that stands out to me during this time is by Plato, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” This is just one reminder of the significance of art to our lives especially during the time we’re in today.”

“Our engagement in the arts provides a healthy escape from this new reality. In a time where we may feel limited or restricted (ie. being quarantined at home), the arts encourage us to exercise our imagination and creativity. Creativity is the tool we utilize anytime we stretch our thinking (brain) and our feelings (heart) beyond our perceived limits, and imagine and feel possibilities beyond our current circumstance. And isn't this what hope is? The Arts remind us that there is light at the end of this quarantine tunnel.”