February 1 - 7, 2021 Walker Art Center

Working with Museum Educator Simona Zappas

Meeting 1 hour

Today I met with Simona to go over the resources that I was given, address any questions I had, and discuss how those resources connect to working with teen art programs. 

Constructive feedback is providing useful comments and suggestions that contribute to a positive outcome, a better process or improved behaviors. It provides encouragement, support, corrective measures and direction to the person receiving it. Encouragement-- I see you, I hear you, I’m listening to you.

Why did I decide to become an artist? Why did I decide to learn how to teach art? Why is art important to me?

What is next?

- Setting up Shadowing timeline (Aiming toward middle to beginning of April) 

- Interview 1 teacher who is influential to you "Teaching philosophy" conversation

- 1 Art Lesson to be taught 

- Update Website banner photo

What is their teaching philosophy? -- look to past and present teachers (highschool teachers, middle school, clubs/programs)


January 25 - 31, 2021 Walker Art Center // Museum Educator Simona Zappas

Reading time 2 hours, Meeting with Aki Shibata 30 min.

Last week, Simona emailed me some resources in order to get more in depth information about museum education and teen art programs as well as more specific information about the Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council. Although I was instructed to just skim through the resources, I feel that I should eventually spend more time dissecting the Churchill Fellowship Report and navigating through the other specific teen art programs that are mentioned. 


1/25/21

Today was the first week of classes and for my first class, I met with other Teaching Artist: Practicum students for our first Hub learning day. It was good to hear about what other students were doing for their residency as well as tell them what my plan was for the rest of the semester. Everyone was at very different stages in their practicum journey, which I feel is reassuring that we will all have an individualized experience while also being able to look to our peers for input and support. 


1/28/21

Today was my first bi-weekly 1-1 meeting with Aki. It was a brief meeting to discuss my progress so far and address any questions or concerns that I had about my practicum experience. My main concern so far has been the weekly journals so I was able to ask more about how to possibly format my writing and what type of information is important to include. I’m not sure why but I feel that any type of journaling for me is almost intimidating. I understand the importance of keeping journals, especially for this course, but I often find myself not very good at keeping them myself.  


January 22, 2021 Walker Art Center // Museum Educator Simona Zappas

Meeting 1.5 hours

Today, I met with Simona Zappas from the Walker Art Center and my instructor, Aki Shibata. This was the first time I was able to meet with Simona and I was happy to be able to put a face to her name. In our meeting we talked about

  • Some of my goals for this practicum and semester

  • My art process and art background as well as Simona’s background and professional practice

  • What the term “museum education” means

  • A brief history of how the museum has changed their way of programming 

  • Some background information on how the WACTAC started


The meeting was between the three of us (Simona, Aki, and I), but the conversation was mostly between me and Simona. Aki explained that they were there to help facilitate the conversation and introduce us to each other but I also felt it was helpful being supported in this new experience. It was great to learn more about what I was getting myself into. Although we were only able to meet for about an hour, I feel that I was able to receive so much new information. After our meeting, Simona sent me some resources to learn about teen art programs and more specific information about the Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council. 

When I think back to last semester in the Teaching Artist: Theory and Methods course, I am reminded of why I decided to continue with the practicum the following semester. I had my first experience teaching and writing lesson plans last semester but it was also the first time where I really thought about what education looks like and how art can be used as a tool when collaborating with other educators and students. I also learned about how the terms (educator, student, artist) intersect and how we can be all of those when we are in a learning environment. It is important that we are learning as we teach!


For next week, Simona suggested that I skim through the information she sent me and write down any questions or comments that I have. 


Resources: