Art

Laurie Marshall

This year we welcome Laurie Marshall as our Art teacher. Ms. Marshall is a painter and a writer in addition to being an educator. For almost 30 years she has used visual art and storytelling in consensus building, leadership training, and conflict prevention and values clarification with young people in public, private and alternative schools and with government organizations (NASA, Dept. of Interior, Army Corps of Engineers) and social service agencies (hospitals, hospices, prisons and foster homes.) Ms. Marshall has worked collaboratively on art and drama projects in the public schools of Virginia, both as an Artist-in-Residence for the Virginia Commission of the Arts and as a certified Social Studies and Art teacher. Most recently Ms. Marshall has been a full time art teacher and Artist-in-Residence with an inner city, arts-based K-5 school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In her words:

After three decades teaching in public, private and alternative schools, working at Novato Charter School is a dream come true. The intelligent, nature-based, story-based curriculum is carried out by skilled, loving educators whose only focus is crafting the best learning environment possible.  I had the privilege of being a class teacher here for three years, engaging daily with the student, parent and staff community.  What a thrill to be connected with so many adults -parents, faculty and administrators - who are dedicated to the well-being of children! Parents volunteer to help with reading, math, painting, plays, field trips, organizing and social events. Any time I need a resource or insight, the other teachers generously share their knowledge and support. The administration gives a clear vision of the highest standards of teacher performance, providing structures for continuous professional growth.

What a joyous challenge to bring wonderful educational experiences to the students on a daily basis.  I had the creative freedom of carrying out Standards-based projects, writing original plays with the students and going on meaningful field trip adventures.

Moving into the role of Middle School Art Teacher, I am able to share my passion for the creative process in visual art with the 6th, 7th & 8th graders. I am excited to help the young people keep growing into “Cultural Creatives”, helping them see that they can be contributors to a Culture of Wisdom that is grounded in the sacredness of all living things.  This is a culture that is especially needed in this time of enormous complexity and exponential rate of change.

Novato Charter School is a model of preparing children to function in the 21st century, fostering critical thinking, scientific literacy, innovation, collaboration and communication, all grounded in compassionate community.

It is my wish that all children will one day receive such intelligent care.