McLean Art Teacher Keeps Kids Engaged With Virtual Classes

MCLEAN, VA — McLean art teacher and mom of two Pamela Saunders wasn't too familiar with online technology before the coronavirus outbreak. But when schools closed for the academic year, the teacher children call "Miss Pam" had the motivation to quickly her adjust small business Young at Art.

Saunders, who has taught in McLean since 2004, normally runs eight-week programs in the fall, winter and spring at Brooksfield School, Chesterbrook Elementary, Franklin Sherman Elementary and Kent Gardens Elementary. Now instead of teaching a classroom full of students, she connects with pre-school through 6th grade students through video conferencing.

Even though she hadn't done video conferencing before, Saunders was eager to adapt. By the Friday when Fairfax County schools closed, she was painting irises with 20 students from Chesterbrook Elementary School through Zoom video conferencing.

"Every parent is so grateful because their children are doing things that they wouldn't normally do," Saunders told Patch. "It just brings that sense of normalcy back to their lives."

While online classes depend on parent help to set and clean up, teaching 40-minute classes online has a few differences for Saunders. She lets students know the supplies they'll need before each class. For her online spring break camp, she sent materials directly to students' homes. Throughout the 40-minute lessons on Zoom, she'll interact with individual students as they work on the activity. Students hold up their artwork on their screens at the end of classes. Upon seeing children's completed artwork, Saunders is "floored that they get [the] concept without me being there."

Saunders finds that her lessons provide more than just a momentary distraction. One of her 5-year-old students decided to teach an art lesson to his mom and grandmother.

"Families will come together at the table and do my art lessons," she said.

Outside of classes, the teacher keeps kids engaged through daily challenges posted on the Young at Art Facebook page. Kids will post their creations on her page, creating what Saunders calls an "online art show."

Saunders will also offer online birthday parties as an activity for children to do with friends starting in May. She will send art kits to all party guests and have them log on to zoom for the art activity.

Given her quick adaptation to online teaching, Sanders is considering continuing this method even when her in-person classes resume. She is accepting sign-ups for classes and is gauging summer art program interest. Saunders is also offering free 20-minute online classes during the quarantine as a trial before families commit to an eight-week session. For more information, visit youngatart.corsizio.com.

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