We have reached the end of the Semester! After twelve hours of exhibition time, I am noticing a theme: there is always more to learn. Whether it is content, a communication skill, a getting-it-done attitude, or a way to ask a better question, we are continuing to look for ways to improve. The best exhibitions have a good balance between teaching us about the content of the project work and explaining what the road looked like getting there. Often it was bumpy. But bumpy rides make good stories and good learning. Making sure you have a robust support team along for the ride is also important. Bumpy roads can be scary when you're alone. Thanks to all the parents that came to see their student’s work this exhibition season. I hope you got to see all the work and the efforts they made in a new light. We ask students to do these presentations for many reasons, but one major one is giving them the opportunity to share what they have gained with the people that have helped them gain it. Independent is not alone. It never fails: the people that have leaned into their support systems, maybe even found new ones, and have been honest about asking for help when they needed it found the most success. Below you’ll see a snapshot of the successes we’ve had this semester. These quotes are either pulled from the student’s narrative or something that they said during their exhibition. Enjoy! Cole became less afraid of failure and realized the value in making a mistake, and yes, then learning from it and trying again: “The only way I could learn my limits was if I was set loose to fail.” Nathaniel found a way to look for ways to improve rather than harshly criticize his progress: "At the beginning I had a “man my art stinks’’ attitude, but that attitude has all but vanished, replaced with a “my art can improve, and so it shall’’ attitude. I think that has gotten me very far."
Si reached new levels of inquiry and accountability: “You are the only reason things do or do not happen.” And, “It’s really about curiosity”. Ashlynn found more self reliance: “If I do it, it gets done”. This of course has many applications! Bruce might be the most quoted person in Pilot this year. This one might need more explanation, I encourage you to talk to him about what was happening when he said: “I am really a reverse McCarthy, if you will.” Vivi is looking for and ways to focus in on certain elements of her project: “How do I want to grow?” Ana increased her fluency in French a lot on her own, but then talked with a new mentor and: “... realized how much more productive I could be with someone who could critique me.” After all, we are all works in progress. Madison conducted many interviews and found that: “Often these conversations result in more questions.” More questions, she will ask! Calen is looking forward to a systems improvement: “This next semester is something that I am very excited for, especially because I feel that I did not show my full potential last semester while I was trying to learn how to have a productive system. I think that you are going to see a lot of improvement from me in the second half of this year, and see me change as a person as well while I try to bring a fun attitude to a serious work environment.” Jake found it helpful to look more closely that the individuals that contributed to great movements in art history: “Specifically I have learned that focusing on individuals in history helps put events in a human context. For example, I have learned that while considered a great artist in his own time, Michelangelo was commonly thought of as a mean person. I have also learned about the influence of the monk Girolamo Savonarola in Florence in the 1490s. Savonarola convinced a large group of people to burn their possessions of secular art and leisure.” Iona continues to persevere and make great use of her mentor, who she has been working with now for a year and a half: “Writing has always been a passion of mine but this is the first time I’ve continued to pursue a story even when faced with obstacles. In the past my ego has always gotten in the way and I’ve given up as soon as something begins to feel difficult so as not to “fail.” Realizing that that in itself is a form of failure has taken a lot of practice. With the help of Sayward I’m learning how to work through obstacles instead of just overcoming them, and for that I am truly grateful” Next up! The Personalized Learning Summit! On Tuesday, the 28th, we will head to UVM to participate in a student-led conference with about 165 other students that are doing Pilot-like work across the state. About half of our Pilot crew will have some sort of leadership role at this event. From making the program, to being the MC, to working the registration table, to hosting a workshop, we’ve got it going on!
Thanks to Izzy, Si, Ana, Madison, and Iona for stepping up! It’s going to be a great event -- with the aim of connecting students that are working on similar things with each other. Also, the Learning Summit offers a great opportunity for students to share their work. Sam Pite, a new Piloteer starting with us in the second semester will be joining us for this event and scoping out what is possible! Welcome Sam! We look forward to seeing more of your amazing artwork evolve in the next few months. To all: let's continue to ride out the bumps together. There are moments of smooth sailing ahead in 2020! Be well, amyK
1 Comment
Caroline Earle
1/19/2020 07:05:45 am
Learning is as much about self-reflection as it is about objective growth. Congrats to a Pilot class that seems to be doing both!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Categories |