Vernon Hills teacher shares the gift of art
Mary Benton considers art to be her gift in life, and she's found her purpose in sharing that gift with others.
For nearly four decades Benton has shared that gift as an art instructor to middle school students in Vernon Hills-based Hawthorn Elementary School District 73.
"In the middle school years, students search for ways to fit in and be the same," she says. "I want them to see how they can be different and stand out."
Benton, who has a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University and a master's from St. Xavier College, won the prestigious Golden Apple Award in 2014, recognizing her as one of the state's top teachers.
When not in the classroom, she spends time creating art of her own, reading, practicing meditation and yoga and spending time with family. She's also started "trying to cook."
Q. As an art educator, what are you hoping your students take from their experiences in your classroom?
A. I believe that art is the link to all forces and functions of life. Art provides an opportunity for vast emotional, intellectual and social experiences. The arts offer an opportunity to educate the "whole child," as well as accommodate individualized learning style.
It is a learning resource and can be incorporated into all other subjects in the school curriculum for a necessary, well-rounded education. All subjects in learning are linked, and as a teacher it is my job to help students find these connectors in their daily lives.
This what defines creativity = taking what is already known and combining it to that which is newly learned (innovation).
Q. How does art education fit within the overall curriculum of your school, and with the educators' goals for your students? Do the lessons in your classroom interrelate with what students are learning in their other subjects, and vice-versa?
A. The art room at Hawthorn is what I like to call, "the place to be." It is not just a classroom, but a true artist studio for the students who enter. Art is meant to be public and is exhibited throughout the school building and surrounds Hawthorn students everyday.
It is important to stress to them how it affects and impacts their daily lives. We are fortunate to have avid support for the arts at all levels in our district - students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators are all vocal supporters of the extensive Fine Arts Programs at Hawthorn.
Q. With many school districts having decreased the amount of time students spend in subjects like art and music, how do you get across the lessons you hope to impart with less opportunity to work with student?
A. A stations approach is used in art class with the Bernstein model of Artful Learning method. This model involves encouraging student exploration of a master artist with individual creation of artworks in a variety of opportunities using different tools and materials, with a reflection on the final product and process.
It is my hope that students leave my classroom with a positive passion for the arts, and I hope to instill in them a love of art, a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
My goal is to mat/frame as many student works as possible and to display their amazing artworks for others to see. This lets students know that their work is important and has value.
Q. What can parents do to encourage and foster their children's creativity and artistic talents?
A. There are many ways to stimulate imagination and foster creativity. Turning off technology is a great start. Provide, instead, hands-on exposure to the arts in your home by setting up time to create in a designated "art area."
Designate an area for art supplies in a cabinet, drawer, plastic tote or toolbox that can be easily "gotten to" when your child feels artistic. Buying quality supplies does make a difference in the resulting artwork, for they become less frustrated when creating.
Enroll children in art classes at cultural centers, museums or park districts. Research confirms that the arts can be taught, and the more instruction children acquire, the more creative they become. Mat and frame children's artwork, showing them that time spent on their projects was worthwhile. All students should have a quality sketch book for sketching, journaling ideas and thoughts.
Talk about arts whenever you can. Children should be aware of how beauty of art impacts their lives and makes it richer. Probably the best influence you have in motivating artistic expression is to work on an art project yourself. Start an art project and watch how soon a child comes over to see what you are up to. Interest and enthusiasm develop and they will want to get involved.