Welcome to the Fine Arts Dep. at Santa Fe Middle School.  After teaching for twelve years I have come to the conclusion that the students at Santa Fe are some of the best kids anywhere.  The arts program begins with the heart. A Students' ability to take what is in their head and transfer it down on paper is crucial.  But so many lack the skills. In fact many come to art class visually deficient.  They are unable to communicate visually.   This can be discouraging.  By taking them through a step by step process we build confidence and risk taking.  The "Art Spirit" at Santa Fe is about having the skills at your disposal so you can convey your dreams to others.  Whether it is an invention, an idea, or a plan the visual arts strengthen the mind. 

     I stress strategies that focus on the manipulation of compositions, while retaining a students love for discovery.  I start of with realism and the rendering of it, and then move on to the world of abstraction.  I always include the Visual Arts Content Standards, as well as, using history, science, language arts,  and Math/Business concepts to show how all subjects are interconnected and feed into each other.  I also stress the use of technology in art.  The School has currently purchased visual software for editing images.  The students use the software along with their other projects to create amazing pieces of art.