My visit to Horace Mann...

Before April vacation I stopped into the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for a visit with Karyn Brotman, visual arts teacher and 2009-2010 TAA Fellow. Ms. Brotman provides arts education for students ranging from preschool all the way to high school.

The Horace Mann is a special school community for deaf education. Students vary in ability level; therefore some may attend speech and therapy classes in addition to academic classes. Because of the unique environment, most students remain at the school until high school graduation. Ms. Brotman says she enjoys watching the students grow; ‘it creates a comfortable atmosphere where the teachers really get to know their students well and vice versa.’ Some students move on to other schools but Ms. Brotman said, ‘The transition into other schools is difficult, but some students have been successful.’

I was interested in learning more about the school’s community and a particularly interesting issue came up- MCAS. Students are expected to pass MCAS as any other student; which I find baffling. At Boston Arts Academy there is a sizable deaf community; therefore I understand that ASL is actually a very different language from written and spoken English. I can only imagine that taking a standardized test such as MCAS must be extremely challenging (and unjust) for deaf and hard of hearing students. Talking with Ms. Brotman about this made me realize how truly unique her students are and I was eager to meet them.

After being guided through the maze of hallways and staircases (If you’ve ever been to Horace Mann…you know what I’m talking about!), we arrived at Ms. Brotman’s art room. The classroom looked as an art room should- decorated floor to ceiling with artwork and materials for projects everywhere. Soon grade three arrived; four students minus one, who had to go to speech class. Ms. Brotman introduced me to the students as a special guest by both signing and speaking. Then she gave the assignment, choose any materials from the table and use white glue to create. And off the students went.

On the table were a variety of materials, such as string, sticks, cylinders, and cardboard pieces. The students decided what they needed and soon the creation was underway. Ms. Brotman believes that it’s important for students to just use their imagination and create. One project that her students enjoy very much is using large boxes. Each student is given a box and they decide what their box will be; a house, a spaceship, a boat, a time capsule.It was very interesting to observe each student’s process which was different from the next!

At the end of class students were picked up by another teacher and filed out. I, too, had to have Ms. Brotman escort me out; otherwise I might still be at the Horace Mann trying to find the exit! It was great experience to visit this school and learn about their unique learning community. It was a wonderful visit and I thank Ms. Brotman, her students and the Horace Mann for letting come to their school. Thank you!