News

Covington Integrated Arts Academy

From Dani Brown, Arts Education Special Projects Coordinator —IMG_4770

Members of the Commission staff and board were recently hosted by Covington Integrated Arts Academy in Covington, TN for a site visit. Covington is one of the original six Value Plus Schools in the state.

Members of the TN Arts Commission Board and staff with Convington student tour guides and faculty
Members of the TN Arts Commission Board and staff with Convington student tour guides and faculty

Value Plus is a four-year pilot initiative started in 2006 that created a model for a whole-school transition to arts integration, a method of teaching that supports learning in and through the arts. The program emphasizes the impact of an arts integrated education in which dance, music, visual arts, theater and creative writing are treated as primary pathways to learning.

 

Student Artwork
Student Artwork

We saw first-hand how the arts have impacted  the school through student tour guides, classroom observation and student and teacher testimony. Four eight grade students led us around the school, pointing out classrooms and workstations and describing their personal experiences of having the arts integrated into all subjects, including math and science. We were even treated to an impromptu piano performance by one of the students in an old locker room converted music lab.

The presence of the arts in Covington went beyond the classrooms. The walls were filled with murals painted by both teachers and students, as well as reminders of The Leader in Me–a character building program based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People used by the school to encourage and support respect for all people. The effects of which were happily seen as we passed students in the hallways, and they waved, said hello and introduced themselves with confidence.

7 habits of Highly Effective People
7 habits of Highly Effective People

From literature being performed to site words being chanted and math problem drawn, we were able to see the arts in action as an integral part of the school’s curriculum.

We’d like to extend a big thank you to Principal Autrell Williams, Assistance Principal Dr. Bonnie Wright and all of the student guides for welcoming us and sharing their incredible school for the morning.