Paula Eickman Kennedy

EDUCATION

H.S. Diploma, John Marshall High School, Rochester, MN  

 

B.S. Art Education, Winona State University, Winona, MN          

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M.A. Studio Art with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting, Minnesota State University,

Mankato, MN

        

License in Parent and Family Education, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN    

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POST-GRADUATE STUDIES IN ART:

*University of MN at Duluth, MN/Split Rock Arts Program  (Nature Photography, Traditional Chinese Painting, Papermaking, Landscape Painting)

*Idyllwild School of Music and Arts, CA (Hopi Pottery and Culture) 

*University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (Renaissance Art History)

*East Tennessee State University/Penland, NC (Clay/Wheel Throwing)

*School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA/The Ghost Ranch, NM (Photography in New Mexico) 

*Minneapolis College of Art and Design, MN (Photography) 

*University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (Artistic Traditions of the Southwest, Principles of Curriculum Development)

*College of Santa Fe, NM (Painting and Drawing in the Southwest)

*University of Washington, Seattle, WA (Northwest Pacific Coast Native Americans, Islamic Art History and Criticism)

*Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN (Native American Art of the Woodlands and Plains Indians)

*Southwest Institute, University of New Mexico (Early Contacts on the Rio Grande)

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TEACHING EXPERIENCES:

LeSueur Middle and Senior High School, LeSueur, MN

Saint Peter Middle and Senior High School, Saint Peter, MN

Mankato State University, Mankato, MN

South Elementary, Saint Peter, MN

Saint Peter Public School's Early Childhood Program, Saint Peter, MN

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BEHIND MY PERSONAL GOALS IN TEACHING...

I am excited to be working with high school students, again!  I taught in the

St. Peter Schools for about fifteen years, over 25 years ago!  Staying home

with my family and going back to school (in Parent and Family Education) occupied my time, until that day when I was asked to help fill a part-time vacancy in Art because of scheduling difficulties.  Those 'scheduling difficulties' put me back in the classroom and helped me re-discover my passion for art education!  I am so thankful! 

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Now, as a returning art teacher, I can see some very positive changes that have occurred over the last decade and some things that need more work.  Students seem to have a solid connection to teachers and each other.  I see tolerance through visible signs of kindness and compassion.  I also see students wanting the 'right' answer and high achievement on tests.  Wanting that one 'right' answer does have a down side, in my opinion.  Some students are pressured to find easy answers online without engaging their own thinking processes. Or they hit a wall when things do not go as planned and start backtracking to a more comfortable and familiar place, avoiding the new challenge.  I see teachers attempting to restore some balance to help students to be able to problem solve and embrace learning challenges.  

 

In observing these changes, I have a focus.  I think that it is so important for students to develop those parts of their brains that help them create, be flexible, problem solve, persevere, and want to learn more.  I am striving to create rich and meaningful lessons, including making connections to their lives, socially and historically.  I want students to have experiences with media, to practice techniques and skills that will help them build confidence in what they can do when they invest time in thinking and working.  I want students to recognize where they are in their abilities and thought processes, feeling okay where they are..for now..and knowing that they will learn and grow.  My goal is for students to see themselves as learners, interested in taking on challenges and seeing 'mistakes' as opportunities for choice and problem solving.  So, I work to keep encouraging, challenging, and supporting each student in their own artistic development, able to make those discoveries about themselves through the creative process.  

 

I am honored to teach students through Art!