Art teacher goes above and beyond for remote learning

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Reed Warner, Staff

Mr. Wagner has assembled remote kits for his students to use at home. This gives students the opportunity to continue to work on their art projects at home. Kits were assembled for his ceramics, sculpture, and art classes.

“Students were provided with 12 pounds of clay, a plastic bag to wrap their work, a board to store their work on, a container of clay powder to mix slip, and a plastic knife. They are being encouraged to get creative with tools around the house they can use for building. Sculpture students received a kit as well, and they are currently working with 2 blocks carving foam, but they have several other supplies to be able to finish out the semester making. Art 2 was also supplied with kits and are currently working on a collaborative drawing lesson with FHS alumnus, Trenton McBeth, who is a children’s book illustrator,” says Mr. Wagner.

“Students had the ability to come in and pick up their kits, but I did deliver several of them to students who could not make it in. Last Friday I drove out to Rawson to drop one off. I also mailed out a couple of kits,” says Mr. Wagner.

Mr Wagner’s passion for his students and ceramics has given students hands on learning even at home. Without the hands-on learning, students may feel very disconnected from school and lose interest. This helps students stay encouraged during these times.

“My main influence was my students. Putting myself in their shoes, I asked myself what would I rather be doing…making something, or doing busy work? Personally, I’d rather be making something, to break up the monotony of the remote day,” says Mr. Wagner when asked about why he feels he needs to do this.

When teachers go out of the way to make sure students are receiving proper education during online school, students notice and appreciate it.