Jennifer Shaw believes strongly about how the arts can play a role in classroom learning, no matter what subject or grade level.
The University of B.C. graduate, who has bachelor degrees in fine arts and education, and the Grade 6 core teacher at Port Coquitlam's Citadel middle school has helped young people with learning difficulties as well as those classified as "gifted" manage their skills through drawing, painting and other mediums.
For her, "the arts is all about communication and process," she said. "It forces kids to have patience and to think about the steps they need to do to achieve success: getting the materials ready, creating and presenting. It can have a very positive and rewarding effect."
Still, "the arts is always so undervalued and unappreciated, and it's the first on the chopping block when it comes to funding," she said.
Shaw's frustration over how the arts is often cutback is a common complaint with many educators.
And those like Shaw, who are specially trained in the arts, are often relegated to fill other jobs in the school, leaving a creative drain for the students. "Art is so crucial in their lives," she said. "There are people who know how to teach the arts and allow students to express themselves and gain confidence, yet they aren't doing what they should be doing."
Shaw believes it's important students, their parents and the community see how talented SD43 teachers are - not only in the classroom but also during their spare time.
For the second year, she will have two or three pieces on the walls at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre as part of the Artists. Teaching. Artists. exhibit. The biannual non-juried display, which opens Saturday, includes works from about 38 active and retired SD43 teachers, staff and administrators, including a principal, a special needs instructor and a student teacher.
Organizer Mike McElgunn, the fine arts department head at Coquitlam's Gleneagle secondary - arguably the most arts-focused high school in the district - said last week he won't know what's being submitted until the 75 to 100 pieces arrive for installation.
However, as with the 2010 show, he expects there to be a considerable variety: everything ranging from ceramics and photography to mixed media and paintings (Robert Morris, a tech ed. teacher at Port Moody's Heritage Woods secondary, will offer ink/solvent transfers on wood panels).
McElgunn said such diversity will make for an interesting curating job for Astrid Heyerdahl, Evergreen's visual arts manager.
"Our goal," he said, "is to create connections between people whose paths may not normally cross, to encourage and to celebrate the creative process and the creative endeavors of educators.
"We want to recognize the importance the arts play in many people's lives outside their daily work routines, and to share our creative sides with our students and members of the public," he said. "This is not necessarily for teachers who teach art, but for teachers who create art personally - regardless of their specific jobs or training."
Artists. Teaching. Artists. runs Oct. 27 to Nov. 24 at Evergreen Cultural Centre. The opening reception is Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
