The students at Resilience Academy had a fun PBIS activity lined up for them this month! Brought to life by crisis team member Tatiana Diaz, students gathered to enjoy treats and learn to paint a nighttime forest scene while enjoying cupcakes, iced tea and juice.
“The idea came up really naturally. Tatiana is a very creative person and an artist as well,” said art teacher Michael Hollick. “This was a fun activity she proposed for our students! We've both done workshops like this before, so we were excited to have the chance to do one for the kids. She even went out and generously got canvases herself for them to use.”
Past Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) activities have included pizza parties and movie screenings, but students share that they appreciate the more active activities.
Diaz donned an apron and paintbrush to help students create whatever work of art they wanted, noting that this was a time to let their creativity flow!
“I wanted to do something therapeutic for the students. It allows them to experience different perspectives of art,” said Diaz. “It creates a great community for students to connect with one another. It also builds problem-solving skills as students figure out how to create what is in their minds.”
Hollick enjoys being a member of the PBIS committee and creating new and exciting ways to incentivize students to buy into their learning.
“At first, several boys wanted to sit in the corner and said they didn't want to paint. They thought it would be embarrassing, or that they wouldn't do a good job - it was clear they were worried about what their friends would say,” said Hollick. “We let them know that all were welcome and that they didn't have to be afraid to let go and have fun. When I turned around from working with a student, I saw that most of those boys had started painting. Seeing all of the kids quietly working and expressing themselves creatively - that's what this is all about. At the end of the paint and sip, one of the boys who initially didn't join in told us, “I'm so proud of my painting. Get me into art class!”
Hollick added, “These are the moments that help you remember why you decided to become a teacher!”
