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ARTech Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author
Ms. Hull
Welcome to my website! I am Samantha Hull but my friends know me as Sam while my students call me Ms. Hull. I am originally from Long Beach, California. I graduated in 2011 from California State University of Long Beach with my BA in Art Education, my minor in Classical Studies and my teaching credential. While in school I worked at the University Art Museum alongside the education curator and gained a new perspective on art education. My first year of teaching was at a small charter school in Long Beach where I had to build the program as I was the first art teacher. Sadly the school had to close due to the economy and I ventured out, 400 miles north approximately, to teach in Woodland for 2 years before arriving at my current campus American Canyon High. I have wanted to be a teacher since 9th grade and I am living the dream. I could not imagine doing anything else.
I have always loved school and learning new things. I am currently working on completing my masters in education at Touro University. After teaching for five years I decided to go back to school to further develop my teaching practices. This fall I plan on continuing my education by enrolling in an MFA program with an emphasis in drawing and painting. I enjoy almost every media but I am rather fond of watercolor and ink and I could not possibly choose just one art style. Art history is another of my passions and something I try to incorporate in all my classes. While I enjoy my summer I am excited to take what I have learned with Touro and apply it in my classes. This year I will be teaching Art 1, Ceramics 1 and for the first time at my school site a section of AP Art History.
When I am not in school (as a teacher or student) I enjoy the simple things in life like good food, wine, books, action movies, and art. Most of my friends and family live in Southern California so road trips are a must but then I also get a ton of house guests. When I don't have visitors Duke, my miniature poodle, keeps me company.
I have always loved school and learning new things. I am currently working on completing my masters in education at Touro University. After teaching for five years I decided to go back to school to further develop my teaching practices. This fall I plan on continuing my education by enrolling in an MFA program with an emphasis in drawing and painting. I enjoy almost every media but I am rather fond of watercolor and ink and I could not possibly choose just one art style. Art history is another of my passions and something I try to incorporate in all my classes. While I enjoy my summer I am excited to take what I have learned with Touro and apply it in my classes. This year I will be teaching Art 1, Ceramics 1 and for the first time at my school site a section of AP Art History.
When I am not in school (as a teacher or student) I enjoy the simple things in life like good food, wine, books, action movies, and art. Most of my friends and family live in Southern California so road trips are a must but then I also get a ton of house guests. When I don't have visitors Duke, my miniature poodle, keeps me company.
Reflections on my Journey & TPACK
My journey with Touro University was a whorl wind full of new experience and challenges that have truly shaped me into a better educator. This website is my documentation of my journey which I think will help other teachers, specifically art educators, who want to refine their teaching practices but are still apprehensive about where to start or are just plain overwhelmed.
The big take away about updating my teaching practice was getting familiar with the demands & skills necessary for the 21st century. As a high school educator I am hyper aware art is not the only content or skills I need to impart to my students in order for them to be successful and my class remain relevant. TPACK is an excellent place to start. TPACK throughout my time at Touro has been something I have become familiar with and dependent upon. Before Touro, I was aware of it but did not know how to use it in my classroom. Content knowledge and pedagogy were my focus while technology was an after thought. Technology in general was this great idea but not something I saw in my class. I can hardly believe the 180 I have taken since the beginning of the year. My teaching practices and classroom has transformed. The integration of all three in my class I believe provides my students the skills necessary for the 21st century and is something I am trying to spread to other teachers at my school.
Art teachers, unless they teach digital arts, in general shy away from technology and for the most part are misinformed about the role of technology in the classroom. One of the fallacies is the idea students will be glued to their computers or that computer will replace traditional art practices. This is what I thought it was and I had a no way Jose attitude about it. Now I can say with confidence it is utter bologna! My students are drawing and creating traditional art while also learning about art history, art criticism and aesthetics which has increased the level of rigor, deepened student learning and allowed students to take ownership by developing their artistic voice. Taking the plunge is scary and having support from others in the same boat and experts like my professors helped a great deal. I hope to be a sound board and semi-expert for my colleagues and other art educators. My biggest piece of advice is to give yourself permission to fail or make mistakes. The other is to play, explore and know that all technology is not made equal. Some technology works best for specific grade levels, tasks or content areas. Lastly, just get started! There a ton of teacher resources out there and once you get started you and your students will be really glad you did. I know I am!
The big take away about updating my teaching practice was getting familiar with the demands & skills necessary for the 21st century. As a high school educator I am hyper aware art is not the only content or skills I need to impart to my students in order for them to be successful and my class remain relevant. TPACK is an excellent place to start. TPACK throughout my time at Touro has been something I have become familiar with and dependent upon. Before Touro, I was aware of it but did not know how to use it in my classroom. Content knowledge and pedagogy were my focus while technology was an after thought. Technology in general was this great idea but not something I saw in my class. I can hardly believe the 180 I have taken since the beginning of the year. My teaching practices and classroom has transformed. The integration of all three in my class I believe provides my students the skills necessary for the 21st century and is something I am trying to spread to other teachers at my school.
Art teachers, unless they teach digital arts, in general shy away from technology and for the most part are misinformed about the role of technology in the classroom. One of the fallacies is the idea students will be glued to their computers or that computer will replace traditional art practices. This is what I thought it was and I had a no way Jose attitude about it. Now I can say with confidence it is utter bologna! My students are drawing and creating traditional art while also learning about art history, art criticism and aesthetics which has increased the level of rigor, deepened student learning and allowed students to take ownership by developing their artistic voice. Taking the plunge is scary and having support from others in the same boat and experts like my professors helped a great deal. I hope to be a sound board and semi-expert for my colleagues and other art educators. My biggest piece of advice is to give yourself permission to fail or make mistakes. The other is to play, explore and know that all technology is not made equal. Some technology works best for specific grade levels, tasks or content areas. Lastly, just get started! There a ton of teacher resources out there and once you get started you and your students will be really glad you did. I know I am!
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning programI have learned so much in the last year in the Innovative Learning Program at Touro University. The professors offer a depth of knowledge, they have numerous resources, and their passion for education is catching. My cohort was a constant well of support and knowledge, each member offering a new perspectives and we pushed each other to do our best. It was true team effort. All of this new knowledge combined with my own experience in my classroom, I had a few major takeaways:
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