TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A former Leon County Schools teacher is taking art lessons out of the classroom and on the road.<\/p>\n
Tara Whichello, who has taught in public, private and alternative schools in several states, returned to Tallahassee and started offering art lessons as the \u201cTraveling Art Teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whichello packs her art supplies into her van and travels to meet students where they are, offering one-on-one and small-group lessons.<\/p>\n
She said working with smaller groups, rather than inside large, traditional classrooms, allows her to better cater to each student\u2019s interests and learning style.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they want to go all realism, I can go in that direction. If they want to do all abstract or maybe they want to work on watercolor, we can cater to and focus on those,\u201d Whichello said. \u201cSo that creates more commitment and more ownership of their work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whichello said her approach was also shaped by her experience working with troubled teens. She said art can provide a way for students to express themselves and work through difficult experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin repetition, within creation, within expression, especially when I worked with my at-risk teens, it was a wonderful way to be mindful of trauma and getting that out on paper,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Her students range in age from 3 to 78.<\/p>\n
Whichello said she plans to continue taking her art lessons on the road and making art more accessible to people in the community.<\/p>\n
For those interested in lessons, the Traveling Art Teacher can be reached at 757-615-2372.<\/p>\n
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