I believe that it is an exciting time to be a part of the world of education. There is a buzz as we see the Common Core Curriculum and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) emerging into schools with great potential. I see these initiatives as being steps towards more holistic learning in which different subject areas, and ways of problem-solving will overlap and become connected. Isn't this a perfect time for art to play a vital role in the education reform? Art is a tool to connect different ways of thinking, it is a means of exploration and discovery, and a way to ask big questions. This is the time for art to have a voice and be recognized as essential component of education for children!   Being freshly out of school (graduate school to clarify) myself, I'm excited to be a part of  this transformation. But I also question my exact role in all of this actually is.

• In what ways should I connect with other teachers? 
  
• How should my curriculum be scaffolded for my after school program to support what kids are learning during the school day? 
  
• How much influence should my students directly have on structuring the curriculum? 
  
• What are my main objectives for learning? 
  
• What are the schools main objectives?
  
• What are Baltimore's main objectives? 
  

With this in mind I have been brainstorming, mapping, and writing out my ideas for this coming year. Barclay Elementary Middle School is a community school.  Being a community school means there are many partnerships with neighboring non-profit community organizations, there is significant parent involvement and many additional volunteers who run programs during the day and after school. Whatever emerges from this year should embrace all of these layers of the Barclay community. 

In four days I begin my placement at Barclay Community Charter School and I feel a lot of anticipation as the time approaches. I'm excited for this new experience, to meet many many children, parents, and community members, and to make art together.  Through this excitement I am realizing the expectations that I have for myself this year as well. 

Within the year, I will explore the ways that art, art education, and fine art can all influence the quality of education for students within a public school.  I think that it is important, also, that students have a hand in their own education, by taking on leadership roles in the classroom, determining what is significant and relevant in their own lives and articulating what is needed in order to succeed.

This is a time of significant potential growth in education, with the CORE curriculum emerging into selected subject areas, and the STEM program being integrated into after school programming. How can students be a part of this development?