3 years teaching High School ceramics, Advanced drawing, photo1, 3D Design and Art Fundamentals. 9 years teaching Elementary School Art in DE. Undergrad- Kutztown University BS in Art Education Masters- Moore College of Art and Design MEd Art Education Professional artist website - www.crishess.com
In 2018 I wrote a thesis on Discipline based and choice based learning. Through action research, I strove to discover which teaching approach supported all of my student’s needs, increased their intrinsic motivations for making artwork, and allowed students to take true ownership over their own learning by producing artwork. I found that students need a blend of BOTH styles. I incorporate Discipline Based and Choice Based/ Project-based learning 50/50 in my classroom. The younger students receive more Direct Instruction (DB) to learn skills and art history. By the time my students get into the 3rd and 4th grade I incorporate choice based learning which promotes students learning and the development of artistic behaviors. Artist inspired creative habits and artistic behaviors are: Find an idea Select materials to express the idea Arrange those materials plus tools in a workspace Pace themselves Create the image or structure Overcome obstacles Return materials and tools to their proper location Discuss artwork and reflect on progress (journal) These artist inspired habits stem from the 8 Studio Habits of the Mind (Hetland, Winner, Veenema, Sheridan, 2013) which are: Develop craft Engage and persist Envision Express Observe Reflect Stretch and explore Understand the art world I am a strong believer in students' self-assessing to really understand what they are learning and to be honest about the quality of work they are producing.
Masters Thesis CHOOSING TO CHANGE: DISCIPLINE BASED ART EDUCATION TO CHOICE BASED ART EDUCATION Moore College of Art and Design In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MA in Art Education with an Emphasis in Special Populations
I graduated from Kutztown University with a BS in Art Education 12' and received my Master's degree in Art Education from Moore College of Art and Design 18'
Check out my artist website and Instagram: www.crishess.com Artist Instagram @crishessart
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschool, Staff