June 4, 2009

Congratulations Southwest Outstanding Art Teachers (OAT's) 2009

Mary C. Hessling Luebbe

“You are what you Art! You Art What you are!” Yes, the words of Dr. John Michael (Professor Emeritus, Miami University) still inspire me to carry on the tradition of quality child-centered Art Education that he instilled in me more than thirty years ago. Responsibly continuing the long-standing tradition of affectionately embracing the creative spirit of all I teach has proven to be a most satisfying and rewarding life’s ambition. I’ve always felt that it is an honor to be chosen as an art teacher and that the responsibility this job carries is most rewarding for both my students and me.

It is my conviction that every person has creativity that can be nurtured successfully into a personally satisfying means of self-expression. As Art Educators, we have the responsibility to nurture and appreciate those inner spiritual attempts towards the making of artwork from a very young age through senior years. Since we live in a time of readily available information, it is also our responsibility to teach a love and deep appreciation for culture, History, and Art. We live in a time when we should embrace travel, theater, music, and dance.

I have been teaching Art full time for 27 years. I have experience in teaching High, Middle and elementary school. I presently teach at Marshall Elementary School for the Talawanda School District in Oxford, Ohio where I also serve as District Art Chair.

As an Adjunct instructor of Art Education at Miami University I direct the Saturday Art Program that teaches community adults and children to create, embrace, and practice visual art. I have served as a member of the Art Education faculty at Miami for 18 years teaching on the Middletown and Oxford campuses. I presently teach the “Practicum in Art Education” on the Oxford campus. I have been a member of The Ohio Art Education Association for 27 years, serving in a variety of areas. I have worked as cooperating teacher for more than 25 student teachers in Art Education from Miami.

It is through creative thinking that all scientific and technological advancement of the planet have been achieved. Our society has produced many great thinkers and solvers of social, political, economic, health and cultural challenges. Despite the current trend in our public schools toward embracing achievement testing, I believe that the answers to all our future lie not only in academic areas but also in embracing the Arts. Yes, Philosophically I prefer the old… “not to be the one who can answer the question but to be the one asking the question” and experimenting toward new and inventive answers!

I believe Art Education should be required in all schools. I also believe that it should be a safe-relaxed environment that demands hard work focused on both quality instruction and quality student participation. Students should have exposure to many diverse styles, time periods, medias, artists, techniques, and experiences as possible. The real goal here is to teach students to love art so much that they will become lifetime learners, advocates, and participants in the arts.

I have been fortunate to have Marge Hilliard and Dr. John Michael as my mentors and chief Art Educators. Because of their generous spirit and belief in me I have become the crazy, fun-filled Art Teacher I am today. It is my sincere hope that someday I will inspire others to continue the legacy of believing that every person can truly be an artist and that the role of Art Teacher as an imperative contributor to every child’s education shall continue to the next generation.