Teachers Ashley Combs, Debby Barrett, Patty Townsend, and Jennifer Pitts from Alma Middle School recently participated in the Reading Beyond Words: Seeing to Understand through Visual Literacy conference held at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in partnership with Focus 5, Inc.
The three-day professional learning experience focused on the power of visual literacy and how educators can help students “read” and interpret works of art with the same depth and critical thinking skills used in traditional reading instruction. Sessions emphasized strategies to strengthen student engagement, promote critical thinking, and build meaningful classroom discussion across all subject areas.
Participants also engaged in hands-on learning experiences within the museum galleries, connecting instructional practices directly to Crystal Bridges’ world-class art collection. These immersive experiences provided educators with practical, arts-integrated strategies to take back to their classrooms.
Alma Middle School is proud of these educators for their commitment to professional growth and continuous improvement. Their work helps expand instructional approaches and enrich learning opportunities for students across the district.