Written by AFA Intern Mackenzie Timbrell
Growing up with a learning difference can be an incredibly isolating and individual experience without the right support from teachers and family. In my personal experience, having ADHD in a school setting was difficult for not only myself but also my teachers. In my local public school, I found that teachers did not really know how to deal with students who had learning difficulties in an inclusive way. Having to go to another classroom to take a test or being called out in class for fidgeting can have a real negative impact on a child’s self-esteem. The only place I really felt like I was appreciated and encouraged as a student was in the art classroom. Where I lacked focus for other subjects, such as math, I made up for in my focus on creativity in the studio and performing arts. As my school started to slowly incorporate art into other subjects to make the classroom a more fun and engaging environment, I started to become a better student and participant in academics.
Throughout high school, I elected to take different arts courses such as ceramics, painting, and metalwork. Through this exploration of my place in the arts, I was able to find a new sense of confidence and pride in the final project I was producing in these classes. This new-found confidence started to spread to my other classes, where I was less sure of my abilities. My grades began to improve, and I had this new enthusiasm for learning that continued into college. Today, I am in my senior year of college and am continuing to take art classes that further my knowledge of art theory and concepts. It is clear to me how deeply and effectively art education has benefited my academics and passion for an engaging life. I can attest to the experiences of a few of my friends growing up as well. I have seen others with similar learning styles or emotional struggles in school ultimately benefit from a robust arts education. Having a well-rounded education in the arts and academics can help a student grow into a confident and empathetic adult. I hope that every student has the ability to have an arts education like I did. Of course, many students do not have access to arts education, depending on their school district and situation. That is why I believe Arts For All is doing such important work to make sure that every child has the chance to succeed and express themselves through the positive outlet of art. It has been such an honor to aid AFA as an intern this year and I hope that I have/will leave a positive impact on the children the organization serves, like my former arts teachers did for me.
