Having done a few residencies now, you hear all kinds of things from the kids. You hear about their favorite colors, you hear about what their mom does for work, you hear about who was mean at recess, but you also get to hear how you are making a difference. That's the amazing part and after our last residency at First Ward Creative Arts Academy in Charlotte, NC my teaching partner, Julianne, and I have a chance to carry it with us. Our class has written us letters describing our week together and sharing their favorite parts. We see they clearly remember the show and the points that are made in the script. They discuss our vocabulary words in detail and pull from our artistic lessons in a way that make it clear to me that what we are doing is working. These letters are also a testament to the teachers at First Ward and most teachers I have come across on our tour and residencies. These teachers have a tough job; not only teaching a hefty curriculum, but dealing with these children from varying backgrounds and levels of learning. When we come into the classroom we can only hope for the kind of teachers that we found at First Ward. In addition to seeing what these kids have learned with us, we get to see them use their imaginations. Proven in several letters, we see children be inspired to allow themselves to have a dream and hopefully inspired to chase it.
"Dear Ms. Julianne and Mr. Chesley,
I had the best time with you! I thank you for teaching us about landforms and bodies of water. Also some music. Here are some words we learned about: volcano, mountain, valley, presto, andante, largo, piano, forte, island, canyon, and cave. Also when we played the games magic sword and when we learned eachothers names. Thank you."
All I can say is thank you!
