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At CCCHS, English teacher Mrs. Melissa Brinkhoff has embarked on an exciting journey as a recipient of a teaching fellowship. As part of this fellowship, she is diving into a year-long research project exploring how the arts can enhance student learning.
Mrs. Brinkhoff believes that art plays a vital role in education. She explains, “No matter the lesson—whether it’s novels, social and emotional learning, essays, informational articles, poetry, or more—students gain a deeper understanding when they engage with various art forms. This includes looking at art, listening to and creating music, as well as creating and appreciating visual art, dance, and theater.”
Recently, she took her sophomore honors class on a creative field trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Community Art Center. There, students created vibrant “graffiti tags” that expressed their identities and personalities, allowing them to explore their creativity while learning about self-expression.
Before this, Mrs. Brinkhoff introduced her students to a variety of artistic disciplines during a visit to the Beck Center for the Arts. Here, they experienced a taste of dance, theater, drawing, and piano, rotating through different art forms. This hands-on experience set the stage for how they will incorporate these artistic elements into their learning throughout the year.
Mrs. Brinkhoff’s innovative approach highlights the powerful connection between the arts and education, making learning more dynamic and enjoyable for her students.
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