Photography 1: Seen through your eyes

Winooski High School is a unique school in a very diverse area of Vermont. Our school population is a melting pot of cultural backgrounds, ages (we have many adult learners having the same opportunities to get an education as well) and talents from many disciplines. In such a small school ("Winooski is the smallest geographic school district in Vermont," taken from our home site at http://www.winooski.k12.vt.us), there lies great opportunities to touch students' educations on a more personal level, enriching their learning experiences and making student feel as though they are in the driver's seat for their own goals and futures.

In proposing this photography class as an art elective, I hope to show students who might not ordinarily think they are artistic or creative that it simple isn't so. Everyone has a story to tell, and there are endless possibilities in thinking about our students from various cultures and backgrounds.

More so as a full class experience, I would have students use their creative views points to tell their stories of personal views, struggles, open each others' eyes to issues in other parts of the world ... and also right here in our very own community. Some specific projects would be in creating a sense of cohesion of cultures and differences that Winooski really prides itself in doing through various events, clubs, and so forth. The entire town has embraced many changes and challenges through the years, and there are many stories and things to be documented there as well.

Finally, I would end the class with a look at how to capture memories of today for future generations. Without images of our pasts, how can we learn what to do with our lives for the present and the future? As an art teacher, I feel the greatest responsibility in teaching students how to formulate their own thoughts and appreciations of their worlds around them in creative ways. Photography would open up their spectrum's of possibilities in doing just that.