TEACHER'S CORNER: HUMOR A VITAL PART OF ART CLASS AT R.O. HAWKINS JUNIOR HIGH

JACKSON -- Art classes can be wonderfully lively, creative, busy places, and teacher Janienne Moore works hard to ensure her students learn a little something along the way.

Moore, who teaches art at R.O. Hawkins Junior High School in Jackson, has been an educator for 10 years. She said art classes must be a little less structured than others to provide students the creative atmosphere they need.

"Hopefully their time spent in art class will give them a greater confidence in their own artistic abilities and an awareness of the beauty and art that surrounds them every day," said Moore.

Students use a variety of materials and techniques throughout the school year, Moore said. Projects include drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture. In each case, students are encouraged to draw what they see and "develop strong, original designs that can be either realistic or abstract."

"I want to challenge them to think and express themselves visually and verbally," Moore said. "That's why my students also keep sketch journals."

Humor is a vital part to Moore's classroom because of the age group she works with. Amongst eighth- and ninth-grade students, a teacher will always have a clogged bottle of acrylic paint that squirts like toothpaste halfway across the room, or a wet, oatmeal-like paper flying all over someone who accidentally hit a button on the blender. And then there are the practical jokers who like to entertain other students by pretending to drink the paint water.

"Even the conversation of students this age can be entertaining, enlightening, and sometimes heartwarming," said Moore.

Moore and her husband, Jay, have four children: Kyle, 23; Kim, 19; Kristina, 16; and Ty, 10. Outside of the classroom she enjoys watercolor painting, decorating, gardening and watching Ty play soccer and basketball.

She attends Cape Bible Chapel and is involved in children's church and small groups.