Creation and Community: The Art Tutoring Program

1 Peter 4:10 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” Taylor students in the Art Department respond to this call with their creative gifts through the Art Tutoring program. Each semester, Art majors and minors teach classes to community members grades K-12. Tutors choose the class focus, the materials they will use, and the age range of their students. This semester, freshman Emily Ryndak and senior Autumn McConda took this opportunity to gain experience teaching and give community members the chance to grow their artistic skills.

Student Opportunities

Taylor students express interest in serving as art tutors by submitting their curriculum plans to Professor Hannah Richardson, Assistant Professor of Art Education and Pre-Art Therapy. Professor Richardson advertises approved classes to the community through schools and community websites.

The student workers commit to teaching eight lessons throughout the semester. Classroom size typically ranges from two to five students, and classes meet in the Modelle-Metcalf Visual Arts Center. Because each tutor brings unique skills to the Art Tutoring Program, community members can choose from a wide selection of classes. Watercolor and ceramics are popular options and are taught nearly every semester, but tutors work with a variety of mediums, from plastic bowls to aluminum foil. Class themes have ranged from outer space to “messy art,” which focuses on making art freely and having fun creating. Because of the individual creativity of both tutors and their students, the Art Tutoring Program is a lively and educational relationship-building experience for everyone involved.

Tutor Experiences

Freshman Art Education major Emily Ryndak taught an “Art with Nature” class this semester, using watercolors, tempera paint, crayons, pencils, and markers, as well as using items from nature like leaves to make leaf prints and bugs. Tutoring has taught Ryndak how to teach according to the level of the students. “I love how Taylor has so many opportunities for teachers,” Ryndak said. “I already have experience to put on my resume for the future.”

Senior Design major Autumn McConda taught a storytelling class to three elementary students over the fall. Her students came up with story ideas of their own, and she taught them worldbuilding and character development skills. Students made booklets and worked with clay to make figures of their characters. McConda loved to see the creativity of the kids she worked with come to life.

“One of the most surprising things is how imaginative kids are as young as they are,” McConda said. “I would never expect a nine-year-old to have an entire world set up with currency and languages or a sixty-page chapter book, and seeing these kids come in with these ideas and start going nuts on paper with it is really refreshing.”

A Time of Learning

The Art Tutoring Program is a time of learning for tutors and students alike. The goal of the program is not only to serve the community, but also to provide job opportunities for students that will help them hone their skills. Tutors gain experience planning lessons, teaching, and diving deeper into their craft, and community members learn new skills from teachers who are excited to share their knowledge. Professor Richardson is available to help tutors as they need, making the environment ideal for them to learn to share their skills with others.

“The historical art tutoring program at Taylor University bridges professional experiences with community needs,” Professor Richardson said. “Art tutoring provides art majors an opportunity to develop their professional skills designing student-focused lessons, providing clear direction, and communicating with parents. This is an on-campus job which provides Art Education and Pre-Art Therapy majors unique experiences to build their resume.”

Through community connection and shared learning experiences, the Art Tutoring program creates an environment of growth for everyone involved.