Barbra Kates
Primary Discipline: Visual Arts
Areas of Specialty: Ceramics, Multimedia, Digital media (Photography, Computer graphics, Video, Power Point), Curriculum development and implementation; Staff development
Additional Disciplines/Specialties: Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre, Integration of Arts and Academic areas; Connecting Arts EALRs and Academic GLEs
Based in: Yelm
Phone: 360-894-7527
Email: fotograffia@gmail.com
Website: www.barbrakates.com
Biography: Barbra Kates has always been passionate about the arts. She received her BFA in Studio Arts from Towson State University and a Masters of Education in arts integration and performance based learning through City University of Seattle. Kates sees her personal work in sculpture and digital media as an ongoing exploration into ways of combining new ideas and developing inventive techniques for self expression. Kates has been a teaching artist through the Washington State Arts Commission’s Arts in Education programs since 1999. She has taught over 200 residencies in Washington schools and has designed a K-6 Visual Arts Curriculum for three school districts. She is the Director of the Architektura Visiting Artist Workshops, an educator and consultant in Visual Arts K-12 Curriculum for various school districts. Kates is Adjunct Faculty at City University. She is also a lecturer in Art History and Digital Photography for Princess Cruises.
When asked about her approach as a Teaching Artist, Ms. Kates wrote this: “As a teaching artist, I am engaged in an ongoing conversation with learners, teachers, principals, administrators, artists and the community. I see myself in partnership with the classroom teacher, planning, collaborating and co-teaching. The arts and arts integration are effective ways to connect with, and actively engage, diverse learners. In the classroom I share my skills and knowledge through innovative teaching techniques. Hands-on work in the arts provides students with opportunities to use original thought processes, challenge themselves, make aesthetic decisions, develop critical thinking skills and creative problem solving, make connections to other academic content areas and tap into their own creativity. One of my strengths as a teacher is my ability to adapt pedagogical skills to teach students of all ages. I am a strong advocate of art for art's sake, because the skills that art teaches are unique.
Suitable for Grades: K-12
Preferred Grades: K-12
Curriculum Integration Possibilities: Literacy, Reading, Writing, Math, Science, History, Social Studies, Technology, Other Arts Disciplines
Additional Interests/Experience:
- Leading Professional Development workshops for K-12 Teachers
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