Teacher seeing students’ self-esteem grow through art

THREE RIVERS AREA — When Marian Colburn left her teaching job in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, she eventually brought her vast knowledge of the art world to Sidney Deener Elementary School in Searcy.

Colburn’s approach to teaching art is to incorporate learning into every lesson. Her kindergarten through fourth-grade students learn geography by studying different countries and doing an art project related to that country and its culture. Colburn also ties in history and literature using art vocabulary.

“It’s a big world out there,” Colburn said. “I’m hoping I can help them in more ways than just art.”

This year, Colburn brought back something from her teaching days in New Orleans: Artist of the Month. She showcases the art of the most outstanding artist among her 450 students.

Five-year-old Corbin Green was selected as November’s Artist of the Month.

“Corbin’s work shows attention to detail and a lot of creativity,” Colburn said. “The project was called crazy birds, and students would tear wallpaper to piece together a bird of their own. Some of them had trouble with the idea of a body and where to put the head or wings, but Corbin did not have any problems with thisproject, and he added the baby bird on his own.”

After teaching middle school and high school, teaching elementary students was a challenge.

“Kindergartners need to learn basic skills like cutting and dipping a Q-tip in glue and putting it on the paper,” Colburn said. “Some of these kids don’t get to use crayons and markers at the house.

“Last year, I taught Rebecca Beeckman first-grade art. She was chosen as the October student Artist of the Month. I realized last year that Rebecca had remarkable talent for a first-grader, and I can see her improve this year in second grade. She can have a drawing in front of her and copy it well. She also showed creativity in her projects. Her attention span andconcentration level with art was higher than average.”

The Artist of the Month not only build confidence in the artist, but Colburn said it is a motivation to them as well.

“The kids really get excited about it,” Colburn said. “It’s a great motivation, and I think it’s a really good thing to display a student’s artwork in the hallway.”

Colburn also encourages parents to frame their children’s artwork. Even hanging it on the refrigerator is a confidence booster. She said sometimes putting a mat around the piece and framing it gives it such importance.

Colburn’s classes are 40 minutes long once a week, and the students may only get 30 minutes of instructional time. She said sometimes she sees a talent in a child that she didn’t instill. But she also believes art can be developed with practice, training and knowledge.

“I do see some kids that have a natural ability, but I see some kids who don’t have a natural ability who work on it, and I can see a big difference from last year,” Colburn said. “If hey have an enjoyment and put forth an effort in art, music or drama, I believe it is a real self-esteem builder.”

Colburn holds a degree in fine arts and went back 12 years ago to get her teaching certification. After getting married, she moved to Searcy from Louisiana and began teaching at Sidney Deener two years ago.

- jbrosius@ arkansasonline.com

Three Rivers, Pages 123 on 11/15/2009

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