Advancement of My belief System

When I consider my attendance at the BYU Arts Academy, I realize I have advanced my beliefs about the arts in two ways. First; I always knew I had a sub-standard sense of rhythm and movement. Participating in the Arts Academy program has enhanced this knowledge. Second; students who attend my school rotate between art and music classes. Previously, I believed that I did not need to teach art and music to students in my class. I have changed this belief as a result of Arts Academy.

I appreciate the patience of the Arts Academy instructors and the oversight and coordination of Cally Flox. Their ability to make the classes relevant to each student’s needs as a professional teacher, and to teach according to each student’s ability, not only made the class educational but enjoyable. I also appreciate the discomfort, which I experienced from time to time, because it was a catalyst for my personal change.

My first change came with the awareness that I am capable of teaching some of the arts in my classroom which I have previously left to others to teach. I decided I do not need to be a heroic dancer like Marilyn Barrett, or an inspiring artist like Scott Flox, to teach my students dance and art. This realization applies to other art forms as well. All I need is to do is develop my latent talents and skills and to use the existing talent that some of my students possess. My students have accepted and encouraged my forays into using more art instruction in my classroom. I have used their talents to supplement my emerging, but limited skills.

The second change I experienced was the realization that I was shortchanging my students by not using more of the arts in my instruction, and, what was even more profound for me; I realized that teaching with the arts is an effective tool, which makes teaching more efficient and promotes learning. The breakthrough occurred when George taught about teaching in the nexus. The arts instruction that I had received from the other instructors was critical to this breakthrough because it laid the foundation for my insight.