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Allison Neslund
I believe that children can and should be the curators of their own educational experiences, with teachers serving as facilitators. My philosophy is largely grounded in the work of two scholars– the first being bell hooks, author of Teaching to Transgress. In her work, hooks states that “to educate as the practice of freedom is a way of teaching that anyone can learn…to teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin”. Fundamentally, we as humans crave love and care in some capacity. I believe that if we tend to this fundamental need through our teaching, our ability to connect with our students and encourage meaningful learning and dialogues soars. (Excerpt from Allison Neslund’s teaching philosophy).
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Pre-K students at Colt Andrews Elementary School work collaboratively in exploring Qwik Stiks as a new material. Photographed by Allison Neslund.
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Pre-K students at Colt Andrews Elementary School explore recycled materials to create prints. Photographed by Lynne Ramos.
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Intensive Special Education (ISE) class at Hugh Cole Elementary School working at stations with various sensory materials. Photographed by Lynne Ramos.
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Grade 4 students at Colt Andrews Elementary School create individual works of art to add to a larger class mural that is food-themed. Student work of McDonald’s monsters. Photographed by Allison Neslund
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Grade 5 students at Colt Andrews Elementary School create miniature Model Magic sculptures that tell us about who they are. Photographed by Allison Neslund.
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Pilgrim High School student creates ceramic pocket watch (in-progress).
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Pilgrim High School student creates ceramic Pink Floyd album and cover (in-progress).
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Pilgrim High School student creates ceramic iPhone (in-progress).
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Pilgrim High School student creates an All About Me Zine with illustrations of their dog
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