New teacher joins charter school staff

Sisters Charter Academy of Fine Arts has a new K-2 instructor.

First-year teacher Brianna Barrons of Bend has taken over the position originally held by Sisters artist and veteran educator Antonietta Del Guidice.

According to the charter school's administrator/teacher Bill Lewis, Del Guidice resigned from her post to pursue her career as an artist.

"It (teaching at the charter school) wasn't exactly what Toni had expected, so she decided it was best for her to try to do some of her own art again," he said.

Lewis told The Nugget that he first talked with Barrons about teaching at the charter school in late August.

"Living here in Bend she was hoping to secure a job here (in Bend), but she hadn't gotten one yet, so I called her back up and asked if she was interested and she came and looked at the school...," said Lewis.

Barrons received her undergraduate degree from Western Oregon University and a Masters in Education from George Fox University. She is also a ballet dancer, plays the clarinet and is incorporating these skills into her everyday lesson plans.

"I'm not teaching them a dance to do a show, but we do different active stretching and that kind of stuff for their physical education and for strengthening their bodies. We do a lot with music," she said.

Barrons told The Nugget that she was attracted to the charter school because of its small size.

"There's one-on-one that happens with every child every day," she said. "Having blended the classes makes the younger students improve their skills up to the higher level and gives the older kids leadership and strengthens their skills, as well."

Barrons also likes the fact that art activities are incorporated into most all core curriculum.

"They have a lot of freedom for their own imaginations, and they don't have a box to work inside. They have the task, and they have their own avenue of how they're going to complete that task, so it leaves room for those with different intelligences to have their needs met. If they need to do it through moving or writing or drawing, they have that choice," she said.

According to Lewis, Barrons brings a great deal of energy to the students.

"She is doing all kinds of fun and innovative things with the kids, getting them involved," said Lewis. "I am quite pleased with her performance."

Eight weeks into its first year Lewis sees the school running smoothly.

"I think that the kids are progressing and finding that with the program we have of bringing a music person in once a week and a drama person in once a week that we have a little more diversity that we can give than some of the other things that the regular public school has to offer, but we're still not competing with them (the regular school). We're just giving them (the students) a different choice," said Lewis.

Fifteen students are currently enrolled in the school's mixed-grade K-2 class, with 10 youngsters in the grade 3-6 class. The school can take up to 40 students, and enrollments are still being accepted.

For more information call 549-8120.