Ballou High School ​Visual Arts Department
2017-2018
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Teenagers & Volunteering

6/30/2014

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Hello, Tigers! Tonight I want to discuss with you what  I believe the benefits of volunteering are. All of you are required to complete at least 30 hours of community service prior to graduation. Other than being told that this is a graduation requirement, very little is explained to you as to why you are required to volunteer and what you will benefit from volunteering.

So let me first give you some insight as to how this requirement came to be. President George W. Bush introduced a new recognition program to our country during his State of The Union Address in 2001 entitled, The President's Volunteer Service Award. This program was originally created to honor men and woman across our country who have volunteered hundreds, if not thousands of volunteer hours over their lifetime. After 9/11 President Bush saw the need to renew national interest in volunteering by asking all Americans to help their neighbors by volunteering their time, money and talents. This initiative by President Bush trickled down to cities, towns and then eventually schools. Soon, all high schools required their graduates to complete mandatory community service hours for graduation.

So, there we have how it all started, now let's discuss how you can get the most out of your community service endeavors. I believe that when you volunteer in your community you are 'stepping outside' of yourself for a brief moment and you are focused on the needs of others. This kind of selfless service will increase your social awareness and allow you to see and work alongside people from many walks of life, and possibly cause you to wrestle with the questions of power and privilege. It also puts you in contact with other volunteers who may be more socially conscience and possibly create in you a larger 'world view'.

Community service does not offer you (monetary) payment  but it does offer you an opportunity to have priceless life experiences. Participating in community service may lead you into a career path that you may not have chosen if it wasn't for your volunteer experience. Research has shown that teenagers who are involved with community service tend to be more civic and socially minded people as they grow older.

But keep in mind one important thing about service. Altruism can be a very tricky thing. You must keep your motivations in check by asking yourself, "Am I helping you for your sake, or because it makes me feel generous"? Be careful that your good deeds in life go unseen at times so that you know you are truly doing good for the sake of others, not for the world to see and praise you.

I feel that teaching is a very altruistic career that is self-sacrificing. I will never become rich with this career and yet when I check my heart I know that what I do is not for monetary gain, but a way of making an impact on young lives and in turn making my community a better place and then ultimately my country.

We will continue this discussion in the days to come. I will tell you all about my many experiences volunteering in my life and how those experiences changed my world view. Contemplate my words tonight. All my love, Ms. B.
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Think Globally, Act Locally....Volunteering.

6/29/2014

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Hello, Tigers. It is about time I get back to writing things of value to you. The last few posts were just random photos and thoughts, but tonight I want to write to you about the benefits of volunteerism.

Today in church, I heard my Pastor tell the congregation to, "Think globally but act locally". Hmm, what a great phrase. My church is beginning their annual drive to collect backpacks and fill them with school supplies for needy students for the upcoming school year. What a wonderful project for the congregation and a true blessing for needy families and teachers who have to supply their classrooms every year.  

But my Pastor's words, "Think globally, but act locally" really touched my heart in that I feel strongly that this is how we should think and act. I can't begin to tell you how many times in my 31 year teaching career that I was asked to donate money for my students (and adults) to go overseas on a missions trip to 'serve the poor'. Yes, this is a nice gesture of course, but so often I would think to myself, "instead of raising $1,000 for a flight and hotel  accommodations to South America, Haiti or the Bahamas to serve the poor and needy, why don't you use that $1,000 and walk out your front door and serve the poor?" Maybe not so glamorous, but what is the goal; to travel or serve the needy?

I had two teacher friends that raised money to go overseas to serve on a missions trip; one went to Italy the other to Australia. To be honest with you, I felt as though I contributed to their vacation, not a mission trip.

Every morning when I drive to school I see the homeless, hanging out on the corner. Men come to my window begging for money...you know what it is like in South Florida, you know what it is like in our school neighborhood.  Florida has one of the largest homeless communities in all of the U.S. mainly due to our weather. It is easier to live homeless in our climate than it is up north.

All of you have mandatory community service hours to complete before graduation. This is a requirement given to you but very little is mentioned about why it is given to you and how you can personally benefit from fulfilling this graduation requirement. So for the next two or three blog posts, I am going to give all of you my opinion on how you will personally benefit from volunteering. It is my hope that after listening to my thoughts on volunteerism, you will not only glean more from your volunteer work, but you will also remain someone who will, "think globally, but act locally" all your life! Enough for now, I will begin tomorrow evening. You guys are great kids and I see so much good in you, and as a teacher (an encourager of students) I want to uplift you and encourage you to be the best that you can be! Tomorrow, I will begin the discussion.
Good night Tigers, Love, Ms. B.

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Sketching Outside!

6/28/2014

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Hello, Tigers! I'm having a hard time falling asleep so I decided to look at old photos on my computer for entertainment. I came across this photo of my 'drawing in central park' meet-up friends! My heart aches when I see photos of my friends in NYC, I miss them so much, it hurts. Friends are precious to me, good friends who love me and are loyal to me are priceless. My friends from NYC were so good to me during my time in the city, I had so much in common with all of them. I cherish my memories of the wonderful times I spent with such great women.

 I thought I would share this photo with you. It made me feel that I should take you guys outside next year to sketch. I did not do it last year because our classes were just too large to keep track of all of you. Maybe next year.

I don't know if I mentioned this before but I gave up TV completely! I have not watched TV since September 28, 2013...not even the news or weather. Hard to believe but yes, I gave it up and I don't miss it one bit. Instead of watching TV, I read or listen to audio books, paint or sew, ride my bike or run, or I write on this website.  You should try to give it up for a period of time and see how you use your time...you probably will have so much more time in your day. So tonight, when I could not fall asleep, instead of turning on the TV, I looked through old photos. It was heartwarming and pleasant.

 Good night my dear students. Love, Ms. B.


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Saturday At Jensen Beach!

6/28/2014

 

Exercising on the beach....what a great way to spend a Saturday! I will try to write tonight! Ms. B.

Art In Everything That We Do!

6/26/2014

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Hello Tigers! I was just cutting up these beautiful vegetables for dinner tonight and I thought to myself...how gorgeous are the colors! As I was cutting up the vegetables, I went to the fridge to find other ones with different colors so that it will look spectacular on the plate. Then later when I add green lettuce, brown olives, dark red raisins and light brown almond seeds to my salad, it will be beautifully delicious. Even the tuna steaks have a beautiful iridescent color that blends so well with all the other food. When my friend arrives for dinner tonight, it will not only be delicious to the lips, but delicious to the eyes as well!

There is beauty and art all around us. We make artistic decisions every day, from what clothes we chose to wear to the color of foods that we are drawn to visually.  I just wanted to remind all of you to be aware of the beauty, color, design and art that is in everything that we do. Enjoy your evening tigers! Love, Ms. B.

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My New Refrigerator Magnet...It Speaks To Me!

6/25/2014

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Have you ever felt like a caterpillar...all curled up in a dark cocoon thinking at times that your world is over? But deep inside you know that you really are a butterfly waiting for the rest of the world to see the beautiful creature that you really are? I do! I bought this refrigerator magnet today so that I can remind myself daily that I am a butterfly and that life has just begun for me! Every day is a new chance to start over! A new day a new beginning and all new blessings! Love, Ms. B.

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Happy Tuesday! June 24, 2014 Touring Tropical Farms in Miami!

6/24/2014

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HelloTigers! What a beautiful day in South Florida; we are truly blessed to live here. I am getting prepared to begin a series of tropical oil paintings so I decided to drive down to Homestead, Miami and walk the tropical gardens for inspiration.....and what an inspiration it was! I can't wait to get out my paints and begin. I took so many photos that I will use as references for me but also for our classroom. I also learned so much about tropical plants and trees today. Here are just a few of the many photos that I took on the tour today. Enjoy! Ms. B.





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Monday, June 23, 2014

6/23/2014

 
Hello Tigers!

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Hello everyone. Here is a photo of my friend, Robin Merrill working at the Upper Room Art Gallery in Ft. Lauderdale. She is almost ready to open the doors...two more weeks. I am learning so much from Robin. Have a beautiful Monday! Ms. B

What a great Saturday for art!

6/22/2014

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Hello Tigers! I had an awesome day of art, art and more art. I started off viewing a new exhibition at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art, then went off to the art gallery that I was telling you guys about yesterday. The art gallery is called, The Upper Room Gallery, located in Riverfront area of Ft. Lauderdale. What is really cool about this place is that it is an upscale art gallery but it is also a non-for-profit business that just received the prestigious Knight Foundation grant that funds art projects that engages the community with innovative, high-quality collective cultural experiences. It is also a part of the Urban Renewal Project for downtown Ft. Lauderdale and a part of the Broward Cultural Foundation.

The people who I spend my days with this summer are so creative and inspiring, not only in the area of the arts but also in the area of human interests and community restoration.

I have been bragging about you guys to everyone at the gallery. I even shared the art work that you guys made last term with many of them!They are impressed with all of you, as they should be!

Sadly, many of them saw the riot that took place at our school that was broadcasted over all the news stations a few weeks ago,and that saddens my heart for our reputation. They mentioned that they saw the S.W.A.T. Team, helicopters, and police dogs on our campus, plus they saw all the students who got arrested being placed in police cars. When I told them that I was the only teacher hurt by a student in the riot and they asked me, "Why do you teach there"?

It made me sad because I love my job teaching at Ely. Tha was a dark day for Ely High. I let them know that there are so many good students at our school and great dedicated teachers who love teaching there!

I hope that next school year we can show our community all the wonderful things that happens at our school. I am going to make that my personal and professional goal for my department. I want to get your art out in the community to showcase how amazing you guys are!

Tomorrow after church I am off to a Marlin's baseball game, lol. I will take photos at the new stadium and let you guys see it through my eyes. For now...I am off to dinner at JB's on the beach in Deerfield.

Good night Tigers, Ms. B.







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The Marlins VS NY Mets! And There Is Art At The Stadium!

6/22/2014

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Hello Tigers! Here I am at our new stadium in Miami watching baseball...NY is killing us!
Guess what, there is a ton of art at this stadium; apparently a part of putting this new stadium together was to have art installations all around the place. Believe it or not they also give art tours in this stadium! I was so impressed and happy that the city of Miami cared enough about art to hire amazing artists to put beautiful art here.
I'm not sure all the baseball fans take notice of the art but I certainly did. I'm going to focus on the game but I will post photos of some of the work to show you later. Ms. B.​

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Painting at the stadium
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Mural at stadium
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Tile mural at ball park stadium
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Art that creates an illusion of the baseball players swinging when you stare at the art as you walk by....super cool!
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Sun, Jun 22, 2014

6/22/2014

 
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Here I am at the gallery preparing art prints for sale!

Saturday at the museum!

6/21/2014

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Ft. Lauderdale Museum of art mural! So cool!
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Mon, Jun 16, 2014

6/16/2014

 
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Mon, Jun 16, 2014

6/16/2014

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Hello everyone! I hope all of you are enjoying this beautiful summer in Florida! I have been traveling and embracing every day. I have heard from some of you...Kenya is painting! She is texting me photos of her work. I am in the midst of a big move, but as soon as I finish I am considering opening up the art room for those of you who want to meet me at school and paint with me over the summer. I have a new phone number and email address but I can be reach through the contact page in our site. For those of you who had my old phone number, email me and I will give you my new one. I will also be taking trips to the Boca and Ft. Lauderdale museums over the summer if anyone wants to join me. We can meet at school. Marla, if you catch this blog, email me...I want to give you my new phone number. I miss you guys. PAINT, DRAW, and WRITE!!!!! Ms. B.l


Check out the new photos that I put in the student gallery. I am sorry it took so long, I was out of the country for 2 weeks. I will continue posting over the summer.
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    Donna Bonavia

    I am an art educator and  a professional artist. I write this blog to guide my students in  (SEL) social, emotional, and academic development. S.E.L. is the District of Columbia Public School's priority because we believe that we must educate the whole child.


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    Yale National Initiative
    Fellowship 2017


    2017-DCPS Standing Ovation recognition Highly Effective Teaching

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    DCPS Capital Commitment
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    ​2015-Present

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    2015 Teacher of The Year Blanche Ely High School

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    2015 Civic Recognition Award Winner

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    2015 Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce
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    2015 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction The National Society of High School Scholars
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    Teacher of the Year 2008
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    Teacher of the Year 2006-2007
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    Disney American Teacher Award Nominee "Creativity In Teaching" 2001
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    Teacher of the Year 1999
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    Teacher of the Year 1998
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    Outstanding Service-2011-2012
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    Outstanding Service-2010-2011
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    Outstanding Service-2009-2010
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    Outstanding Service-2008-2009
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    Outstanding Service-2007-2008

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