art education testimonials
Alumni
"The art education program at Montserrat, for me, was a challenging exploration among peers, mediated by a group of talented and experienced leaders. We covered important issues in contemporary educational theory, and backed up all of our reading and research with a strong focus on writing, all while maintaining the importance of continuing our own pursuits in the arts. I felt very prepared to enter into graduate school after meeting, and hopefully surpassing, Montserrat’s high expectations, and producing such high quality work while I was there. And because of the close family-like atmosphere, I knew I could always count on my professors for recommendations and advice, long after I graduated."
Emma Johnson Stokes
Montserrat Alumna, Illustration and Art Education, 2005
Graduate Student, Suny New Plaz, NY
"Montserrat College of Art prepared me well for the job I have today as an art educator. The dedicated staff and work among peers helped me to get through one of the most demanding programs at the college. The professors are experienced and professional individuals who have had their own classrooms in public or private school settings or are still teaching in their own classrooms. The course load of the Art Education Program at Montserrat is challenging, yet thought-provoking for the student who wants to pursue a career in teaching the arts to children and young adults. Not only are you focusing on contemporary issues in art education research and theory, you are also focusing on your own work as a professional artist. I believe that this balance has made me a better educator today."
Christina Papanikolaou
Montserrat Alumna, Fine Arts and Art Education, 2004
Art Teacher, Reading, MA
Art Educators
"As a Fine Arts Department Chair for a large urban high school who regularly interviews and hires candidates to teach visual arts, I have been extremely impressed with quality of the preparation of Montserrat Art Education program candidates. They "stand out from the crowd" for both their artistic and pedagogical training and are unquestionably well-prepared for the challenges of teaching art in 21st century!"
Elizabeth Santagati, Fine Arts Chair
Lowell High School, Lowell, MA
"Sarah Meyers, a Montserrat student teacher, arrived at the Rockport Elementary School Art Program thoroughly prepared. She had a comprehensive understanding of the developmental needs of each age group. Sarah came ready to engage our students with sophisticated and dynamic lessons. It was a pleasure to work in with the Art Education Department at the Montserrat College of Art."
Simon Paddock
Rockport Elementary School, Rockport, MA
As a professional artist and art educator, I have been affiliated with the art education program at Montserrat College of Art on several levels over the past four years. I have served as Supervising Practitioner, working with Montserrat students during their practicum training and I have taught the 12 credit Practicum Seminar. The Montserrat program is uniquely grounded in the artist-teacher model, where graduating teachers are equally trained in their own real world practice. Carrying the concept of this model into their classrooms, Montserrat student teachers convey a depth and breadth of experience in their teaching that provides a valuable distinction over general education programs. In the field, Montserrat student teachers readily adapt to their art classrooms due to the rigorous yet practical standards of their academic requirements. With their required studies in education theory and classroom practice, Montserrat-trained teachers are well-prepared to begin their careers with the strongest of experience, empathy and energy."
Karen Ristuben, Art Educator and Artist
Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, MA
"Students graduate from Montserrat College of Art with a depth of studio experience that is invaluable in the classroom. Montserrat’s combination of art education course work with a studio major really prepares students to step into teaching art. I have hired four different Montserrat students over the years and they have all been terrific! I find that other candidates often lack the studio expertise or the education framework that is needed to teach art in a primary school."
Ruth Bauer, Art Teacher and Artist
Shore Country Day School, Beverly, MA
"I have had the pleasure and great learning opportunity of mentoring two student teachers from Montserrat College or Art. Both were outstanding in terms of organization, creativity, openness to ideas, and bridging the
gap of student and teacher. My student teachers were very different from one another, yet together, brought much to my side of the table as a twenty- plus year art teacher. As an educator, I feel it is necessary to continually get fired up. I continually try to take courses and workshops to refresh my ideas, my
lessons and projects. Teaching for many years gives you insight and confidence but mentoring a new teacher gives you those fresh eyes and revitalizes the excitement of this fabulous job."
Debra Graczyk, Visual Arts Educator and Artist
Beverly High School, Beverly, MA
"As a visual arts teacher for 31 years, I am aware of the significant position our new art educators will hold in the future and the challenges that await them in the classroom. Working with several art education students from the Montserrat Art Education Department I have witnessed these young teachers-in-training arrive to the classroom with comprehensive knowledge of content and curriculum as well as personal confidence. These students integrate well within the school community, both with faculty and students as demonstrated through interdisciplinary projects and participation in school activities. I have found the Montserrat art education students to be very receptive to constructive criticism and to improving their teaching skills through pedagogy and methodology. The Montserrat students provide me with a new perspective and lens from which I can view my own teaching and bring a fresh approach to the art curriculum, which benefits everyone."
Gail C. Lake, Visual Arts Educator and Artist
Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, MA
"Montserrat Art Education students are living proof of the benefits of having artist/ educators in our school. Their respect for and knowledge about children and their creative development is inspiring. They approach every project modeling the sophisticated creative thinking and problem solving of artists."
Jean Bailey, Elementary Art Teacher
Hamilton Wenham Regional Schools, MA
"I have been impressed with the quality of training received by Montserrat College of Art student teachers. The planning requirements placed on these students get them ready and prepared to teach. In addition to the academic requirements it has been my experience that these student teachers are qualified to teach art. The students I have worked with have proven to be very knowledgeable in studio art. The importance of a good foundation in drawing, painting techniques, sculpture and art history is key to teaching the visual arts, starting with kindergarten up to the high school grades."
Grace Argenziano,
Danvers Public Schools Lead Art Teacher
"In my 26 years as a K-12 Massachusetts public schools art teacher I have had the opportunity to mentor many student teachers from different colleges and various art education programs. It has been my experience that these art student teachers come to the field with a wide range of abilities, knowledge and skills depending upon the school and the art education program in which they are enrolled. Without a doubt, the best prepared art student teachers have come to me from the Montserrat College of Art.
We have all heard the saying that “those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach.” Teaching art is not a career that people choose lightly because it’s easy or well paid or even well respected. They choose teaching because they have a passion for art that they need to pass on. Art educators are artists who choose to teach and who choose to share their knowledge, expertise and excitement about art with children of all ages.
The cornerstone of the Montserrat Art Education program is that each Montserrat student is an artist first. They spend years at the college working on their personal development as artists before building on that foundation through their course work and field experience in the art education program. All of the art student teachers that I have worked with from Montserrat College of Art have been very well prepared for the classroom with the skills essential for designing, implementing and assessing art lessons as well as the necessary skills for managing and promoting a creative and productive art room environment. As working artists, Montserrat Art Education graduates develop confidence and experience with their own creative process which results in more creative and authentic art experiences for their students."
Dorothy M. Arthur
2009 Massachusetts Art Educator of the Year
BFA, M.Ed
