SchoolArts - October 2007

All Levels

Another

Rockin’ Artroom

Jeannette Anthos

Ihave been teaching at J. H. House Elementary, located east of Atlanta, Georgia, for seven years, and I recently received the GAEA 2007 Elementary Art Educator of the Year award. I am also a practicing artist and have had my photographs and paintings in several juried exhibitions. I feel that in order for me to be an effective art teacher, I also need to be an artist. Recently, I took some classes on fusing glass, and now have my own kiln and glass studio at home.

By fostering my creativity, I feel
that I can foster the creativity of
my students. While reflecting upon
my teaching career, I came across
the philosophy of art education
that I wrote seven years ago while
an undergradu-
ate at Valdosta
State Univer-
sity. One part
that still strikes
a strong chord
is “Art fosters

the unconscious need to express oneself in a fast-paced, inattentive, restrained society. Art education is imperative in order to transform America’s youth into high-achiev-ing, free-thinking, open-minded,

Art fosters the unconscious
need to express oneself in
a fast-paced, inattentive,
restrained society.

creative young adults. Creativity helps to foster intelligence and, as Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

My motto, which has enabled me to do many wonderful things in my classroom and for my students, has been “It never hurts to ask. All they can say is no.” Very rarely do I receive a “no.”