2017 Imaginary Teacher of the Year (a
hypothetical article by a.n.w.)
Another year has come and gone, and thus comes the annual Imaginary Teacher of the Year. This year’s winner is Amber
Walbridge, a high school teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the past five years, Mrs. Walbridge has
worked with many charter high schools in New Mexico to develop advanced programs
in Technology Arts.
In 2012, after a 12 year career in Architecture and Design, Mrs.
Walbridge shifted gears to education. Beginning at XYZ Charter High School in
Albuquerque, she worked with the school to develop a program that provides a
more comprehensive exposure to Graphic Digital Arts, Animation, Architecture, and
Design. “Technology is our future. Lots of high schools have technical computer
classes, but we are the first school to have a whole program for the artistic
stuff” said Sally Jay, a junior at XYZ. Marvin Garcia, the principal of XYZ points
out, “our school provides an extensive variety of technical arts classes that
until now, was typically only offered at the college level. Our students have
better preparation for this modern digital age.”
Once the program at XYZ was established, Mrs. Walbridge helped
to push this model throughout many other charter schools in the Albuquerque area. Mrs. Walbridge feels that it is extremely important to provide all students access to modern technology. Her goal is to develop not only the technical basics of modern technology, but to encourage and inspire creative reasoning and independent thought. "Teachers are responsible for helping to guide our future. We need to ensure that our children develop into happy, motivated adults who have the confidence to be successful and in turn help the community with their own contributions".
Wow, technology arts is one of my favorite forms of art. I like the idea of involving students in these technical art classes. Students today pick up technology so quickly, I think this is a wonderful idea. Students are such natural artists that film and photography are exciting subjects for students. I think that this type of exposure would enable our students to advance in the technology realm. Who knows what they will come up with. Heck, maybe the next Steve Jobs will come out of your class. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that providing students with access to modern technology is ever more important in our evolving world. Not only that but using this technology to inspire creativity and artistic ability is a fabulous idea. Often times focus is taken off of the arts, and I love the idea of incorporating digital arts, animation and architecture into high school curriculum. Students are incredibly creative and should be given the opportunity to develop their artistic minds and be better prepared for college classes of this nature. When you begin implementing these programs in charter schools let me know which ones so I can send my daughter there! :)
ReplyDeleteTechnology is an integral part of our future, and to incorporate a comprehensive technology program in to our school systems is important. I agree with the idea that students are very capable and able to comprehend new methods of technology. If you are able to expose students to “Graphic Digital Arts, Architecture, and Design” at a younger age, you might inspire them with a new passion, that will lead them to a career in one of these fields. There is also so much creativity and artistic value to a lot of these programs that will help students to cultivate many aspects of learning before they even reach college.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning ;). I know nothing about the technology departments in APS, but if they do not have a program like this set up as an elective, I can see it as a real benefit for the kids. My daughter took CAD as a sophomore at a private school, but no other advanced computer courses are offered at her school. Have you presented some of your ideas to someone in authority? I would love to hear what the response is. Kids today love technology classes. One of the teachers I interviewed called today's kids "screenagers" since they were raised in front of media screens--TV, computer, smartphones, and game stations. They are very comfortable in the technology setting and every job they will have in their futures will involve technology.
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