WELCOME!
2 & 3 Explore with me is an art class in the Polaris school taught by 3 future art teachers from CSU. We are developing our skills by creating weekly lesson plans and teaching them to Tamara Shaffer's 2/3 class on Friday mornings. As growing art teachers, we art not only gaining teaching experience but also looking at how elementary students think. Our theme for this semester is architecture. We will be learning about different spaces and things that occupy that space. Feel free to look around our site to discover what your children have been learning and to see some of their work. We look forward to an art filled semester!
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
2 & 3 Explore with me is an art class in the Polaris school taught by 3 future art teachers from CSU. We are developing our skills by creating weekly lesson plans and teaching them to Tamara Shaffer's 2/3 class on Friday mornings. As growing art teachers, we art not only gaining teaching experience but also looking at how elementary students think. Our theme for this semester is architecture. We will be learning about different spaces and things that occupy that space. Feel free to look around our site to discover what your children have been learning and to see some of their work. We look forward to an art filled semester!
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
ALLI MCGINNIS
I am from a suburb of Chicago called Lake Zurich. I lived there until I was 18 and moved to Colorado to pursue my art education degree at CSU. I have two supportive parents, an older brother, younger sister, and two crazy dogs. In my spare time I love to visit art galleries as well as farmer's markets and festivals. I spend a lot of my time in the pottery studio, hiking new areas, and simply relaxing with friends. I have been creating art since I was a child and have worked with children professionally since the age of 16. I have worked at a YMCA working in the youth sports department for over three and a half years. Currently I am employed with BASE camp in Fort Collins working specifically at Dunn and Bennett Elementary schools. I look forward to combining my two passions of working with youth and creating art in my future.
I am from a suburb of Chicago called Lake Zurich. I lived there until I was 18 and moved to Colorado to pursue my art education degree at CSU. I have two supportive parents, an older brother, younger sister, and two crazy dogs. In my spare time I love to visit art galleries as well as farmer's markets and festivals. I spend a lot of my time in the pottery studio, hiking new areas, and simply relaxing with friends. I have been creating art since I was a child and have worked with children professionally since the age of 16. I have worked at a YMCA working in the youth sports department for over three and a half years. Currently I am employed with BASE camp in Fort Collins working specifically at Dunn and Bennett Elementary schools. I look forward to combining my two passions of working with youth and creating art in my future.
CHANDON HAMMERSMITH
Originally I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, spending all my summers and every chance up north in Wisconsin on a lake. That is where my family moved and where I now call home. I have many passions including cooking, exploring the outdoors, and traveling but the two things I am most passionate about are art and teaching. For as long as I can remember, I loved playing school with friends and also creating art with my family. I continued creating art and in high school I worked as a gallery assistant in a local pottery shop, where my love for clay started to bloom. Now I Love experimenting with all types of art, specifically pottery and photography. I love working with students of all ages and am looking forward to many possible upcoming art experiences and learning opportunities.
Originally I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, spending all my summers and every chance up north in Wisconsin on a lake. That is where my family moved and where I now call home. I have many passions including cooking, exploring the outdoors, and traveling but the two things I am most passionate about are art and teaching. For as long as I can remember, I loved playing school with friends and also creating art with my family. I continued creating art and in high school I worked as a gallery assistant in a local pottery shop, where my love for clay started to bloom. Now I Love experimenting with all types of art, specifically pottery and photography. I love working with students of all ages and am looking forward to many possible upcoming art experiences and learning opportunities.
CALLA URBAN
I am a Colorado native, my parents were born here and I have lived here since I was 1. I am from Manitou Springs which is located at the base of Pikes Peak. I am a true Coloradoan and as such I enjoy all things outdoorsy such as hiking and climbing and biking. My favorite hobbies include playing volleyball or basketball, making music with my wonderful sister, and of course creating works of art. I was inspired to become a teacher after working a summer camp in Kansas City. Both my parents were teachers and my sister is one as well but I didn't realize that it was also my calling until I worked with those kids. I also tried to go without art classes in college and would have "artistic explosions" as my mom called them and I realized I needed an outlet for my art. I can't wait to get in the classroom and see my two passions collide.
I am a Colorado native, my parents were born here and I have lived here since I was 1. I am from Manitou Springs which is located at the base of Pikes Peak. I am a true Coloradoan and as such I enjoy all things outdoorsy such as hiking and climbing and biking. My favorite hobbies include playing volleyball or basketball, making music with my wonderful sister, and of course creating works of art. I was inspired to become a teacher after working a summer camp in Kansas City. Both my parents were teachers and my sister is one as well but I didn't realize that it was also my calling until I worked with those kids. I also tried to go without art classes in college and would have "artistic explosions" as my mom called them and I realized I needed an outlet for my art. I can't wait to get in the classroom and see my two passions collide.