Love Of Art Leads To Career Choice

RITA GREENE MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Holly Huber holding appreciation letter from a former student.
RITA GREENE MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Holly Huber holding appreciation letter from a former student.

Du to her love of children and art, Holly Huber pursued a career as an art teacher. Huber has been teaching art for 10 years, with five of those at the White Rock Elementary School.

"I was very inspired and blessed with wonderful art teachers in McDonald County when I was a student," Huber said.

Upon entering Huber's art classroom, it is evident that creativity is blossoming and growing. There is a vast amount of two and three dimensional student artworks throughout the classroom, along a wide variety of art media which the students have been exploring. The numerous visuals and books demonstrate art history is being incorporated into the instruction. The students are very focused, exited about and completely engaged in working on the first steps of a winter scene.

While the students are completing their works of art, Huber moves throughout the classroom assuring they have the paint and supplies they need, answering their questions and at the same time keeping an eye on the clock since there must be enough cleanup time, time to store their completed works somewhere in the classroom, and time in assuring the students get to their next destination. Then, she starts all over again with the next next class. It requires Huber utilizing her class and time management skills, assuring the students are receiving quality art education within the time allotted for each class period, while squeezing all the classes into a day.

It is hard work which requires artistic talent and ability, professional teaching skills, and class/time management skills in order to assist students in developing their creativity. But Huber said teaching art is very rewarding. She said it is heartfelt when she hears from past students who thank her for their art experiences in her classroom.

"Our art classes collaborate with other subjects being taught," Huber said.

An example of this is the project, "History of McDonald County." The art class created collages of photos, maps, illustrations, and incorporated historical facts onto 24 by 36 inch panels which are exhibited on a wall at the school. Upon viewing these panels, students learn about the history of McDonald County.

"Rather than having an exhibit of the students' artwork at specific times, student art is exhibited continually throughout the school," Huber said.

"I stress to students that it isn't always necessary to spend money on supplies to produce art," Huber said. "We create as much as possible using recycling methods rather than purchasing all the supplies and materials we need. We also go outside and incorporate nature into our art."

Since Huber teaches kindergarten through eighth grade, she utilizes her knowledge of the art and cognitive skill capabilities of each age group. No two classes are the same and the assignments change every year.

Huber said her goals for her students is, "for them to understand the concepts and importance of art in their lives. Art is a foundation for many different fields. I want the students to understand that art is all around us; it is not just here in the classroom."

Huber's art classroom provides the foundation in fostering and assisting students in developing and furthering their creativity and vision beyond the classroom.

Sports on 12/11/2014