EDSE 7200I: Masters Project
Hi, I am Kimberly Cruz and I am a 28 year old artist who also teaches art to the youth. I was born and raised in the Bronx and within a very cultural Puerto Rican family. I have been teaching art for about three years but have always been passionate about art my entire life. My favorite type of art is traditional – there is something special about using the physical tools and engaging within building skills through practice in order to facilitate your own artistic style. For my thesis, I have been focusing on and emphasizing the importance of art teachers and their mental health. This research was interesting to me because I have noticed major differences that art teachers endure that other common core/STEM teachers do not. It is important to note that all individuals’ mental health is vital; the drive behind my research and opinions correlate to the importance of the youth and being there for them – which starts with teachers and ensuring that they are being well taken care of as well, no matter the content they teach. I wanted to highlight these issues as I felt this is a part of the reason why art programs are not normally taken seriously compared to other STEM related classes/subjects. It is important to me to discuss this and develop further theories to question and influence others to ponder on as art programs and art teachers are just as important as other classes that are often prioritized. For my thesis, I have spoken to various art teachers and STEM teachers to gather their opinions and thoughts and have also observed their classes. I am hoping this will cause administration and other teachers to consider having art programs in their schools with appropriate funding if the school does not have any art related classes or cause them to view their own art program in a different light. One link I am highlighting is: https://www.uft.org/get-involved/union-committees/academic/new-york-city-art-teachers-association in which I feel is important for NYC art educators. This is under the UFT and a reminder that we are a community as a whole. Another link I am attaching is: https://www.dreamyard.com/ in which I was luckily able to know about since my professor this semester is a part of this organization for the youth.
