"Cindy, I truly want you to know how grateful I was to have you come share your passion for art with the terrific 3rd graders. They LOVED the lesson on creating a flower with pastels. Many students do not get this opportunity to use a different medium to create art, but with your willingness to volunteer they were able to participate in an art lesson that they typically don’t have access to. Drawing large was quite challenging for the 3rd graders, but once they achieved this expectation, they were proud of their outcome! Their anticipation of taking part in the lesson was exciting to see and they could hardly wait for you to come back so that they could color their flowers! Thank you for your willingness to provide this art activity for the 3rd graders. YES, I would love to have you back! I think a spring lesson would work great!"

- Melissa Severson
3rd Grade Teacher
Rush Creek Elementary

"The class was fantastic. Not only did the students get to create beautiful pastel art work, they learned about prominent artists, museums, and art history. The experience was motivating for the students and teacher alike. I definitely look forward to more lessons in the upcoming school year! Thank You Cindy!"

- Jean
4th Grade Teacher
Rush Creek Elementary

"Cindy McGowan is a talented, professional artist who shares her creative expertise with students like a natural born teacher. My fourth grade students thoroughly enjoyed her three fun-filled lessons on abstract art. She began by sharing her own art samples and by introducing the students to a famous artist. Students were then invited to try their hands at this style of art. The final abstract compositions were "art gallery quality" due to the engaging, step-by-step, enthusiastic instructions given by Cindy. My favorite aspect of her lessons was the final day's critique of students' creations. Cindy gave the students the language and ability to engage in a meaningful discussion about the quality and nuances of each piece of artwork. Each student felt unique and left with a sense of empowerment, creativity, and knowledge. I can hardly wait for Cindy to return to teach my class next year!"

- Rosemary
4th Grade Teacher

"Thank you for the classes you taught my students on the work of Kandinsky. Your lessons were interesting, well planned, and age appropriate as well as fun for the students. I know they benefitted from your expertise and instruction. I appreciate all the time you spent making this a very worthwhile experience for the students. Pencil me in again for next May!"

- Patti
4th Grade Teacher

"It was my pleasure to have Cindy McGowan come to my two kindergarten classes to teach an art lesson on December 1, 2009.

Cindy began by engaging the students in a conversation about art. This offered them an opportunity for creative thinking. Cindy was adept at listening and posing questions. I sincerely enjoyed hearing their thoughts. It isn't often that I can sit and watch a lesson in my own classroom!

Cindy followed the conversation with reading a book about Paul Klee. The book elicited many wonderful thoughts and responses. Following the book discussion, the students eagerly worked on their own self-portraits with tissue paper and water.

Cindy demonstrated excellent teaching practices throughout the lesson. She was organized, warm, and encouraging. Her lesson provided an excellent art experience for my students. I feel art should always be a part of our teaching curriculum."
- Margot Schmidt Andress
Kindergarten Teacher
Rush Creek Elementary

"My Kindergarten class had the privilege of having an art lesson taught by Cindy McGowan. Cindy did an excellent lesson on the artist Paul Klee. She had the children engaged in the lesson at all times. The children enjoyed the book "Dreaming Pictures" which stimulated a lot of interesting conversations about Paul Klee's work. Cindy had the children make their own abstract picture. She was very positive with all of the children. They all felt like an artist when they were finish with their project. I would love to have Cindy come back to my classroom to teach another lesson."

- Cathie Rigazio
Kindergarten Teacher
Rush Creek Elementary