Category: Arts
Arts – Playful Plagiarism
The first poem that I ever wrote, I copied out of the back pages of a magazine for teens. I was in 6th grade and already a felon. Sitting in the locked bathroom, I read through the dozen or so poems submitted by other teens and painstakingly searched for the one that “sounded like me.” [...]
Arts – Pirate Hat, Cowboy Hat, Birthday Hat, Oh My!
In my fifteen years of working with young children with special needs and their families I have worn a variety of hats. I’ve donned teacher, behaviorist, socialization coach, language builder, social worker, counselor, art instructor and toileting trainer. The hat I love most of all, is most definitely playmate and friend. The role of playmate [...]
Arts – Dream Job Discovered
I’ve been a painter now for seventeen years. Through the years, I have developed a unique style that is intuitive, bold, layered and full of soul. As a rule, I never know what I’m going to paint before I start—allowing my paintings to emerge naturally and on their own time is an important part of [...]
Arts – A Stream of Heart Consciousness
I have found it incredibly helpful as an artist, as a truth seeker, and as an evolving and expanding being, to really listen to my heart. I’m continually learning and relearning the importance of trusting the vision and the process, whether it be art or some other aspect of my life. We all have our own personal [...]
Arts – Meno Mosso
As I arrived home in New York after a whirlwind early holiday vacation to my hometown this past week, I found my January issue of the periodical “Real Simple” in my mailbox, its cover emblazoned with a typical New Year’s message: BREAK YOUR BAD HABITS! ONCE AND FOR ALL! I stashed the magazine in my [...]
Arts – Live a Life of Contrast
By Micah [Blacklight] Lee Hello. My name is Micah. What I have come to realize is that quite frequently, we define ourselves just as much by what we are not, as by what we affirm ourselves to be. We define ourselves through contrast. It has occurred to me that my life has basically been one [...]
Arts – Celebrating Developmental Differences
By Virginia M. Koel Learning that you have a child with a disability is enough to stop you dead in your tracks. Coming to grips with how I was going to overcome this successfully was daunting. Making sense of something as life altering as having a child with Mental Retardation was intimidating. Together, our family [...]
Arts – Grateful for a Change in Perspective
My first job out of college was teaching in a grade school. Before anyone congratulates me on actually landing a job right out of college in this economy, I’d like to clarify that this was three whole years after college, with a so-so salary in a not-so-nice neighborhood. Even so, I was thrilled to have [...]
Arts – Mommy Comes Back
Ask anyone you come across to tell you what they are scared of and you will get roughly the same answers. A childhood friend of mine was terrified of roller coasters. My mother simply cannot deal with centipedes. Even my cat runs for cover from thunderstorms. Once you pick through the tangible fears–the creepiness of [...]
Arts – The Art of Empathy in Learning
Every year, the first week of school brings a common denominator among teachers, students and parents – a mix of excitement and apprehension. Parents wonder if they got a good teacher. Teachers wonder if they have supportive parents. Students wonder, “Will I be accepted? Will my classmates think I’m smart?” For the student, much of [...]
