The teacher demonstrates a superior ability to impart knowledge to students and to inspire in them a desire for learning.
“Autumn Roe teaches young minds that art is a form of expression and can be used throughout life. She listens to her student’s interests, needs, and aspirations. She uses that to energize passions, overcome obstacles, and applies students interests to her lesson plans. These small actions drive confidence and improve the lives of students inside and outside the classroom.” ~Kim Smith
“Ms.Roe has helped me through things I thought I’d never be able to do. For example when she helped me start reading even after me saying lots of time I wouldn’t do it.” ~Willow Henegar, Sixth Grade Student
Autumn has an understanding of the students who struggle to learn because she was that student as well. Growing up, Autumn struggled to learn how to read. However, one of her favorite Special Area teachers, invested his/her time in her- helping her how to read- even when Autumn thought she would never be able to accomplish such a task. With this understanding, Autumn tries every chance she can to incorporate reading and writing within her classroom. She knows that creative students sometimes tend to struggle to learn like other students do. By incorporating reading and writing within the art room, this encourages the struggling learner to understand that they can succeed at reading and writing.
Teaching to the state standards is a requirement for Autumn’s lesson planning.. However, every lesson that Autumn creates is one that involves so many life skills that her students will need later on in life. Some of those skills are to understand that constructive criticism only makes them better, and disagreements are fine if communicated in a healthy and respectful manner. For example, within the art classroom one of the main rules Autumn has is that students are not allowed to ask her “Am I finished?” They have to ask their classmates, “What can I do to improve?”. This creates dialogue between the students, and they can discuss how to effectively communicate the ideas they are trying to share. Autumn teaches that any suggestions given are just that-suggestions. If her students do not agree with others suggestions or even her own suggestions, they can politely say thank you, but I think I might try this instead.
When it comes to Art education, Autumn has a unique teaching style. . She does not believe in telling the students what to create or how to make something. Autumn believes in the idea that every student has a voice, and no two works of art should look the same, because no two students have the same ideas. As a result, Autumn’s art classes look a little different. However, her students are more invested in Art class because what they make is created from their thoughts, ideas, and creations. The teacher deals effectively with the needs of individual students.
“We were doing an assignment in class about art careers. I didn't really like any of the career options. Ms. Roe decided to make an entirely different page in our online class just for me where I was able to email with a real professional florist. Which is a career that I think I might enjoy. Ms. Roe went out of her way to make sure that I had fun in art class.” ~Amy Hicks, Sixth Grade Student
This is just one example where Autumn makes sure that every student she has is learning something in her classroom. She always makes sure that all students will succeed within her classroom. To ensure that this happens, Autumn even goes out of her way to create individualized videos to help students who are struggling with artistic techniques. Earlier in the year, she even had a student, who had moved on to the middle school, contact her and ask her for help. Ms. Roe did what she always does. She got to work and created a video for that student so they could have the resources they needed to excel within the middle school art class.
“Recently I had a student who has been having some issues with attendance. She made sure she touched base with this student when present and on one such occasion, she even had a “beatbox battle” with him. What amazed me about this particular situation was that my student felt comfortable enough with her to “break into” a little fun. He will remember that moment and carry with him the idea that school is an enjoyable, safe place. This is just one example of Autumn’s knowledge of the students and her desire to invest in their lives.” ~Christy Boggs, First Grade Teacher at Anderson Elementary Ms. Roe invests a lot of her time in getting to know her students. She has many students that she checks in with during the day just to make sure that they are doing ok. Autumn even knows the time of day that some students might need a little break from class. She will quietly pop in and take that student on a quick walk down the hallway. She does this because she understands the needs of all her students, and she understands what they need to succeed in an art classroom, as well as an academic classroom.
The teacher reaches students in ways which increase their talents and self-esteem.
“Since then, Mrs. Roe has deepened his love of art, provided him the ability to criticize himself constructively, and most importantly convey his emotions through his art. This has all translated into positive experiences in his education and relationships, building his self-esteem.” ~Kim Smith, Parent
“Even the students who are not talented in art still seem to enjoy your class.” ~Mr. Jeff Mustard, Program Assistant at Anderson Elementary School
It is a priority to Autumn to capture the hearts of all of her students, and she does it with an infinite amount of grace and love. She connects with them through her lessons, which makes the students enjoy art class even if art is not their true passion. For example, one lesson that Autumn does with her students is a non-objective self portrait. Within this artwork, her students create a work of art that represents themselves without using words, or an image of themselves. This is a hard concept to grasp, however, Autumn teaches her students that all lines and colors have emotions to them. As a result, the students at Anderson learn that artists have their own language. So they can create a work of art that represents how they are feeling without even talking about it. This has been so helpful with students who cannot put into words how they are feeling, but can show a teacher what they are feeling with their artwork. In addition, doing a lesson like this shows Autumn’s students that they have a voice, and that someone is listening to what they have to say. This is how Autumn captures the hearts of her students. All of them know that they are heard. Just heard through a work of art instead of through words.
2. Classroom: The teacher manages the classroom well with regard to punctuality, preparation, time-use, evaluation and control. Ms. Roe has a creative classroom management system that allows the students to be in charge of their learning environment. Autumn has five tasks that have to happen every art class (rules- which kids want to break rules -so she does not have “rules” in her classroom).
1. Ninja Entrance (you can't see or hear a ninja so when students enter the classroom they have to do so just like a Ninja.) 2. Raises their hand when they have something that they would like to say or ask. 3.Following Direction 4. Volume Control, (Autumn has a yacker tracker to help tell her when the work space is too loud.) 5. Sparkling Clean up. If these tasks are done the entire class then they will earn a paintbrush. Whichever class earns three paint brushes first wins an art trophy. These trophies are ceramic figurines that Autumn has spray painted gold. However her students work so hard to earn these trophies. During class when a student starts to break one of the five tasks other students will redirect their behavior. They do not want to lose any points. This classroom management is fun for the entire school and the teaching staff also get so competitive with this competition.
The teacher uses creativity and resources judiciously. Earlier in the year, due to COVID-19, Ms. Roe was asked to teach from a cart. She jumped into action to make sure that her students would still have a superior art education, even if she was teaching from a cart. The first task Autumn took on was finding the right cart. So she finally settled on a rolling metal tool box. This tool box was transformed into another member of our teaching staff. Her students even named the cart Cartia. Despite Autumn having to teach half the year from a cart, she did it with ease, organization, and positivity. The second half of this year, Autumn was asked to move rooms so she could be moved off of the cart. Autumn accepted the challenge regardless of the extra work it would create. She, with the help of a maintenance crew, moved two entire classrooms and prepared them for students to return.
The teacher is exceptionally skillful and dedicated. “She has also presented at TAA, TAEA, and NAEA. This shows her continued commitment to arts education and to NAEA/TAEA organizations, as well as, her willingness to continue learning as an educator.” ~Dr. David Garfield Meade, Course Instructor, Western Governors University, President-Elect, Tennessee Arts Educators Association This year has been quarantined, put on a cart, and moved to a new classroom. All these things have been obstacles that Autumn has had to overcome this year, on top of teaching during a pandemic. Autumn has created a wonderful environment regardless of how or where she is teaching. At the very beginning of the year Autumn was quarantined, and had to stay in isolation for a month because of a household COVID-19 case. This did not set Autumn back at all. During this time of isolation, Autumn was not required to work, however she did work. She created online coursework for her students as well as instructional videos that a sub could use just in case her isolation had to be extended. Autumn is a dedicated teacher that wants to ensure that every student will not miss an artistic learning opportunity.
While Autumn was teaching on a cart she was organized, thoughtful, and creative in the way she used her instructional materials. She even went out and spent her own money to buy a large rolling metal tool box. This tool box became her art cart. She decorated this cart, and allowed her students to name this cart. The students eventually decided to call the art cart Cartinia.
Autumn has also had to move classrooms within the last month. Her previous classroom was too small to allow a full class to safely participate within covid restrictions. So Autumn was placed on a cart, and then once a classroom opened up, Autumn was able to move into a new room. This happened at the beginning of January. However. Autumn Roe came in ready to roll. She had created tye dyed curtains, built wooden storage shelves, and even purchased a peg board to organize supplies. She had to move an entire classroom out, and move her classroom, all while teaching virtually as well. She has created an environment that is creative, instructive, as well as conducive for learning.
3. Parents: The teacher engenders the support and respect of parents.
The teacher encourages meaningful two-way communication with parents. Autumn tries her best to involve parents anytime she can. This year, with COVID restricting school regularities, this has been much easier to do. Autumn has created many art lessons that parents can participate in with their children. One lesson in particular that Autumn has done is she sent the families on an adventure to find natural supplies that artists could turn into paint. To Autumn’s disbelief, she was so surprised that the parents were excited to participate within this lesson. Later that day families took trips to the park, went on walks, found bright colored fruits, and used coffee grounds in which to make paint. . This was such an interesting lesson. Students, grown-ups, and Ms.Roe loved the end results of this project.
Another lesson that Autumn created for her virtual students was creating a “community”. During a week called “Art Week” that Autumn had a vision for and created for the whole school, every student created a paper house that reflected who they are as a person. All the house were put on display to create a community. However, the students that were at home, worked together with their families to create their own little “neighborhood” to add to our school community. Within this lesso, there was also a get to know you game as the activator of the lesson to allow reflection into who each person is as a person. Doing this helped the artists and families connect before creating art.
Beyond involving the entire family within art lessons, Autumn strives to keep open communication with as many parents as possible. Ms. Roe always sends a positive note home with one student per art class. This student changes from week to week. Eventually every student will take home a positive note from Ms. Roe. Autumn does this to ensure that every family has heard something positive about their student from Ms. Roe. She is also involved in as many parents teacher conferences as possible. If Ms. Roe cannot attend a conference, then she will write a letter to the parents about their child’s strengths and what they can do to improve. The students’ parents are always grateful to hear from her-even if it is in letter form.
4.Peers 4. Peers: The teacher respects and is respected by colleagues.
“We wanted to acknowledge your willingness to help, the appreciation and kindness you showed to us did not go unnoticed.” Johnny Jones, BTCS Maintenance Manager
The above quote is just one example of Autumn’s willingness to show respect to every person she comes in contact with. Her willingness to jump in with any situation regardless if it is part of her “Job Expectations” has gained her much respect across the district.
Autumn has also presented her work at National Arts Educators Association Conference, Multiple Tennessee Arts Educators Conferences, as well as the Tennessee Arts Academy. The simple fact that Autumn has been chosen to present the work she is doing at these events shows that she is respected in the Art Educators community, not only on a local level, but also a National Level.
The teacher has a good relationship with other teachers which is augmented by positive interchange.
“I had the pleasure of having Autumn Roe in Art Class for three years and also being her Volleyball Coach for three years. She was one of those students that was an inspiration to you as a teacher and coach. We have become friends over the years. I attended her wedding and have watched as she has become an amazing art teacher! Autumn has such a big heart for her students and is always giving of herself. I am blessed to call her my friend.” ~Jamie Hyder, Art Teacher; Head Volleyball; Track Coach, Sullivan East Middle School.
“Ms. Roe is a fantastic colleague. She is quick to agree whenever I want to try a collaborative approach to a standard. We've had so much fun over the past few years working together to have fun and engaging lessons with our students! She is also quick to offer a hand, or do a favor for anyone who asks. Ms. Roe has added so much to the positive culture in our building. Our school environment is brighter and sunnier because of Ms. Roe's presence!” ~Colleen Semones, Music Teacher, Anderson Elementary School
"Mrs. Roe is the epitome of a team player. She has supported me in every single program that I've put on, taken time out of her busy schedule (even after school and on weekends) to help me set up for book fairs and other programs, and collaborates with me on projects to support our students. She not only does this for me, but for many others. Her willingness to go above and beyond for the faculty and students here makes her truly special. All the faculty (and students!) LOVE Mrs. Roe." ~Sarah Brackins, Librarian, Anderson Elementary School Autumn Roe not only takes care of the students at Anderson. She also takes care of the teachers there as well. During the pandemic, Autumn was taken out of her classroom and used a mobile cart- Cartina- to teach her lessons within each general education classroom. .She went into the teachers' classrooms, causing teachers to not always have a quiet space for his/her planning period. . Autumn wanted to ensure that every teacher was still able to have an effective planning period. So, she created a teacher work area in her classroom so teachers could have a space to effectively plan. This space t had cleaning supplies, snacks, a comfortable chair, and essential oils. This space was created to ensure that teachers could effectively plan and decompress through the pandemic.