About Me
“Education is not a vessel to be filled, but rather a commitment to a lifelong journey of learning.”
I want to cultivate and be part of a community that fosters growth, critical thinking, and creativity.
My Teaching Philosophy
Education is not a vessel to be filled, but rather a commitment to a lifelong journey of learning.
As a teacher, it is my job to instruct students' growth by giving them the tools necessary to continue their journey. As an Art Teacher, it is my responsibility to guide the whole child by engaging students holistically and authentically in projects which lead to a better understanding of art, personal identity, and the world in which they live.
I want to cultivate and be a part of a community that fosters growth, critical thinking, and creativity a community where students, teachers, staff, and families work together to create a culture of learning that is safe and allows students to flourish. Part of developing the whole student means preparing them to be part of a global community. I find that a combination of classical media and modern technology has allowed my teaching, and students' learning, to become more transparent. And thus providing the students more opportunities to engage with 'mirrors' and windows.
[Photo from Pop-Up Art Show]
Blog posts + publications
-
Found Object Art -- From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Blog post from Aspen Academy on Mrs. Betz’s found object art project.
-
Supporting Your Students in Coming Back to School
Blog post helping answer the question, “What can parents can do to support students coming back in the coming school year?” Read some advice from Mrs. Betz.
-
8th Graders Create Self-Portraits and Explore Their Story
At Aspen Academy, in each grade, students are asked to do some form of a self-portrait. This is beneficial for developing the skill of drawing but more importantly it re-enforces the importance of encountering ourselves. Eighth graders were asked to encounter themselves by finding a part of their body they are proud of, examining the story behind that part of themselves, creating a final image which includes the Double Exposure Technique using Pixlr or Photoshop Software, and writing an artist statement to capture their thoughts and explorations.
-
Everything You Need to Know about Creativity in the Classroom with Adobe Creative Cloud
Educators discuss using Adobe products for projects in the classroom.