A page about Britt Morgan.
art educator -artist- science nerd
I am an art educator of 9 years and have been dabbling in artistic endeavours since age 3.
I was not a naturally inclined artist as a child, but I loved it. In high school, I had an art teacher that taught me that art was something I could learn through practice and that wherever I found inspiration, I could make it my own. I began growing in confidence and craft; while later finding my voice and a higher purpose to it all. This is my reason for going in to education: not only to remain an artist, but because I wanted to share in the process of convincing our next generation of creators that they were capable; that all of their ideas could be reality with practice and dedication.
I am still a practicing artist and I feel that my personal learning is what allows me to communicate and share in the creative process with my students. Travel is a constant inspiration to me through a variety of people, wildlife, fabrics and details. My love and studies of science often intersects my personal art work and influences my student's work both in subject matter and approach.
When students make the realization that art is tied to everything- across all disciplines and subjects- I get goosebumps.
Teaching Experience
“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
― Albert Einstein
Teaching Highlight at 2:00 of video.
2012- Current
IB Visual Arts Teacher
HS & MS Visual Arts Teacher
K-5 Art Teacher
Specialist Team Leader
Member of the Resource WASC Team
Used iPads to facilitate and enhance learning in the art classroom
Integrated and promoted Expected Student Learning Results in the art classroom
Instituted the Annual SIS ES Art Show- where each student is represented with at least one piece of their art work
Wrote visual arts curriculum K-10 using UbD framework
Integrated art curriculum with grade level curriculum in lessons and art work
Aligned curriculum to South Carolina Performing Arts Standards
Articulated curriculum in Atlas Rubicon
Standards based grading and reporting
Created an Instagram and Twitter account to use as a learning and sharing platform from the art room
2009 - 2012
Highschool Art Teacher
- Pre AP Drawing 2 Teacher
Assistant Director of the school musical for 2 years
Member of the HSTW committee
Member of the ABC and DAP committee
Wrote and implemented UBD curriculum for Drawing 2 course
Collaborative lessons each year with Dance Department
Member of the Fine Arts Curriculum Team
Montessori Early Learning and School of the Arts
2008-2009
Art Teacher- Whole student body
Year 5 Classroom Assistant
Started an art program for students at a small Montessori school
Implemented UBD and Inquiry based curriculum in art media and art history
Education and Credentials
"The arts have the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else."
DP Category 1 Visual Arts
March 2015
Hong Kong
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education
Minor in NeuroScience
University of South Carolina
Columbia SC, USA
2009
Teaching License
Certified Teacher K-12 in Visual Arts
Board of Education in South Carolina
USA
Teaching Philosophy and
Art Education
"The greats weren't great because at birth they could paint. The greats were great because they paint a lot." - Macklemore
*Above image from 2013 SIS ES Art Show at Zai Gallery- Shenzhen, China
I strive to cultivate a love of art, craftsmanship, technique and passion through inquiry based learning in my classroom. Creative thinking and problem solving are at the forefront of what students and I confront together everyday. I completely believe that the notion of 'talent' being what makes someone an artist is insulting. Many the world's greatest creators were not born with it, but worked incredibly hard. Anyone can be an artist when guided to consistently practice proper technique; just like learning calculus or training to run a marathon. We all have innovative ideas and inspiring thoughts. Often, we just need someone to affirm us that this is true and encourage us to share.
Additionally, I want my students to have credibility in communicating in a visual language to audiences and that comes with good technique and craftsmanship. In other words, most people won't take the time to investigate the purpose or meaning to a piece of art work if they feel it's done poorly. "A bad singer is still a singer just no one wants to listen." Therefore, assuring my students of themselves and teaching them proper technique are the foundations on which I build my teaching philosophy.
Certainly, progress in these high expectations are only made possible through the implementation of a standards based curriculum encompassing everything from elements and principles of design to articulating responses to art.
However, I don't believe my class simply prepares the students that want to pursue art as a career. The structure and content of my class gives students a variety of fundamentals that will prepare them for any 21st century career. For example, problem-solving, visual aesthetics for document or display preparation, craftsmanship, color theory and scientific process, to name a few.
A redefinition in education, especially visual arts, is the use of technology. It's present in my classroom everyday through virtual modelling/sketching, 3D printing design work, and sharing our work with a broader audience through social media.
I believe in showcasing student art to an authentic audience and as research suggests, I believe it supports self esteem in students of all ages. This is why I strive to provide the highest level art show within my current financial means, for my students each year no matter their age group. The above image features K-5 student work in a professional gallery in 2013 and I am proud to say it looked like it belonged.
As I've said, I consider myself a lifelong learner, therefore I'm always open to learning the best practice and new research in the classroom.
For years, it seems that the art world has been screaming: "Creativity is as important as literacy in education and should be treated with the same status." (Ken Robinson) I am fascinated to see that it seems that most schools are finally jumping on board and that makes me prouder than ever to be an educator.
Professional Learning & Sharing
"The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it from you." - B.B. King
Presenter:
2016 Apple Distinguished Educator Global - Berlin - Relevant Audience
2015 Kinetic Art - Asia Regional Art Educators Association
Weekly Teacher Art Classes for SIS staff 2013-2015
EdCamp 2014 - Design in every classroom
SIS EAL CONFERENCE 2014 - Art Speaks
ARARTE 2014- 3D Printing as a design tool; not a novelty
CREATE 2014- Collaborative Painting
EdCamp 2013- Creating to Teach Creativity
ARARTE 2013 -Using Technology in the Art Room
Attendee:
Apple Distinguished Educator Conference August 2015
EdCamp 2014 - Shenzhen, China SIS
SIS EAL CONFERENCE 2014 - Shenzhen, China SIS
ARARTE 2014- NIST Bangkok, Thailand
CREATE 2014- Shenzhen, China SIS
EdCamp 2013- Shenzhen, China SIS
ARARTE 2013- Hong KongEARCOS Specialist Shanghai- 2013
Arts in Technology 2012- South Carolina Arts Alliance
CLIA 2011- South Carolina Arts Alliance
SCALSA 2010 - South Carolina Arts Alliance
Related Experience
"Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies let them at
least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage." C.S. Lewis
Grace Orphan Home - Assam, India
Volunteer and art teacher
November 2007- December 2007
November 2008- December 2008
NGO support and Kids Summer Camp - Niamey, Niger
Coordinator of summer art projects for children in the community
June 2007- August 2007
Far Eastern University - Manila,Philippines
English Conversation Partner and Science Tutor
June 2006- August 2006
Personal Art Work
"Children learn more from what you are than what you teach." - DuBois
Where to find Britt Morgan
@
brittm0rgan 
@
brittmorganart 
brittanyemorgan@
me.com 
Brittany Morgan
© 2014 Brittany Morgan