Welcome to the Art Room!

About Mrs. Furlong

Hello and welcome! I am very excited to continue my 9th year at James Ward and 11th year teaching art! I received my bachelor's degree in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois and a Master's Degree in teaching art from Columbia College Chicago. Along with art, I hold an endorsement in middle school mathematics and ESL. Prior to joining the James Ward team, I taught art at the Harvard School of Excellence in Englewood for two years. My background has afforded me skills in drawing, design, painting, collage, sculpture and ceramics and I bring these into the classroom as much as possible.

My Why?

My art program is designed around student choice and student voice to foster confidence in student’s abilities to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. I find it imperative that students have the ability to choose their own materials and subject matter in order to provide them with ownership over their choices and creations and students are constantly encouraged to make their own decisions in the art room. This can be as simple as what size brush is best for the area they are working on or as complex as deciding on a meaningful theme for their work. Many of the decisions are made and practiced through trial and error and the process provides a critical skill set that can be transferred to every day life experiences. 

Contact Email: [email protected]