Spring Break
Education student gets helping hand
Sam Kribbs
Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: News
|
With the emphasis of student education in math and science, the humanities in many cases are the first area of curriculum cut. The removal of art and music programs in many area schools is common because of budget considerations.
Miazga is going to graduate in May and teach art, K-12. Her family is well entrenched in education and it is something that has always been important to her. Her mother and sister are both teachers.
"Art teacher is the ultimate job for me," Miazga said. "I would go to work everyday and love my job. And to me that is important. If you don't love your job it's not fun."
It is her belief the enactment of "No Child Left Behind" and increased scrutiny and emphasis on standardized test scores is the reason humanities have been cut.
Miazga said art is just as important as math and science.
"With having art in the classroom, you can relate art to any subject, I believe, to integrate art into all the other lessons, helps students by making the curriculum relatable by doing hands-on-work rather than seat-work," she said.
She is now teaching at Manor Hill Elementary and in October she is going to Liberty High School for her third practicum.
She will graduate in May and she would love to continue her work with the Liberty School district after she receives her degree.
Miazga loves to be in the classroom, so while getting her degree she substitutes. The School of Education sets its curriculum schedule to accommodate.
Jack J. Isgur echoed Miazga's sentiment when it comes to the de-emphasis of the humanities in education, especially in Missouri.
"I find the arts probably give you a better understanding of mathematics and science as well as other things," he said. "In my opinion, it is the dumbing down [the elimination of such subjects] of America by teaching to a test."
Miazga's love and passion for the arts matches what Isgur envisioned when he setup his foundation, Isgur said.
Out of 20 students to receive scholarships this year, she was the only student attending UMKC. She transferred here from Metropolitan Community College - Maple Woods.
For more information on the Jack J. Isgur Foundation scholarships or an application for next years awards, contact Charles Jensen at 816-691-2760 or e-mail cjensen@stinson.com.
skribbs@unews.com
Be the first to comment on this story