3 Questions
Jackie Jablecki, Queen Anne’s County Art Teacher
How do you inspire your middle school students to settle into themselves enough to open the door to their creativity and the joy that it can bring?
I love finding low-risk creative tasks that help students build confidence. Middle schoolers especially struggle to engage because of all the social pressures around them. I focus heavily on visual journaling with students to give them a place to make mistakes and grow from them. In their journals students practice art skills, free draw, explore new mediums, and have fun. I’m never grading the content of their journals, just the exercises they take part in.
The most successful things I do with students are drawing prompts. Students know that with practice we get better; just like a sport or instrument we need regular practice to improve. Once they get past the fear and relax into their art practice, the skills build so quickly. It is truly unmatched to watch a student’s artwork and their evolving pride in it. It is the same feeling as creating your own work.
You’re a social media influencer showcasing the joys and real-life challenges of teaching art. How does that work feed your teaching practice and soul?
Teaching is an art on its own and learning from each other is so important. I want to advocate for how important and vital the visual arts are to students and the school community.
I feel that lifting the veil and showing the challenges and successes of my teaching practice helps my community feel connected to me and my classroom. It’s definitely a labor of love that I want to keep building. Working with various organizations has given me a platform to keep sharing my passion. It’s so hard to feel like I’m an influencer because it feels like I’m just sharing what I love. The reception and appreciation has been an honor. I am so excited to get opportunities to present nationally at the National Art Education Association National Convention and with the Art of Education at their NOW! Conference. It’s been a wild and unexpected ride.
What is the most unexpected, moving, and arresting piece created by one of your students?
I’m blown away daily by my students’ art. The inspiration they find in the everyday is so incredible. I am so lucky to get to teach such talented students.
Artwork from a few years ago that stood out to me was by a 6th grader who drew the most incredible portrait. It was a mix of bright vibrant colors and black and white pencil drawing. The composition was of shattering glass, like the idea of breaking through. I remember being so impressed that I sent a picture to the high school teacher with the words: “keep an eye out for this one.” Today she is one of the top high school artists and performers in the theater program. It is just such a satisfying moment to see her live out her inspiration.
BONUS QUESTION!
Why is it so important to provide and fully fund art programs? How do you explain to others the vital role the arts play in education?
Arts across the board are always the first to be deemed not essential. But I could not disagree with that more. The arts are so vital to student development. Students in my class have a very open-ended art curriculum. I teach with a Choice Based or TAB approach (Teaching for Artistic Behaviors). This encourages students to think beyond the scope of the physical art and to thinking with a problem-solving and creative brain. This level of problem-solving is a skill that all students need in their development and is the cornerstone of my teaching philosophy.
Students may not make art for their career, but the takeaway can be unseen confidence and soft skills they can carry into any career they choose. Also knowing about art and making art just makes you a cooler person all around.
Check out YouTube reports from Jackie and Texas art teacher Keisha Morales in their super fun direct-from-the-field vlog diary called Dear Sketchbook: A Year in the Life of an Art Teacher!
Jackie is an art teacher and social media influencer! Follow her on IG @mrsjablecki and on TikTok @mrsj_artteacher.
