Meet Ms. Ripley!
Welcome families, students, and visitors! My name is Kristen Ripley, and I teach 5th-8th grade art at Chenery Middle School in Belmont, MA. This is my 11th year at Chenery. Throughout my career, I've taught grades K-12 in public and private schools as well as undergraduate and graduate level courses for the Art Education MAT program at Tufts University/SMFA Boston and for Brandeis University. I'm grateful to have had dynamic and inspiring teachers, mentors, and peers in my K-12 public schooling, at Mount Holyoke College, and at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
I always say that I have the best job in the world, because I do! Middle school students are intelligent, articulate, and ready to learn...and have a great sense of humor! Working with students of all ages to make sense of the complexities of our visual culture is fascinating and exhilarating. Conversation with students challenges and expands my own thinking, and provides endless inspiration for curriculum (and sometimes my own artwork). I've never taught the same exact lesson twice!
I teach to empower my students with knowledge, confidence, curiosity, and skills. Students in my art room explore the complexities of our cultures and histories, and learn how to respond using their unique artistic voice. I believe that a strong visual arts education is challenging, includes many diverse perspectives, and makes clear connections between art and society. This is what I strive for in my curriculum and daily practice.
Interested in seeing some of my own artwork? (Site currently under construction)
I always say that I have the best job in the world, because I do! Middle school students are intelligent, articulate, and ready to learn...and have a great sense of humor! Working with students of all ages to make sense of the complexities of our visual culture is fascinating and exhilarating. Conversation with students challenges and expands my own thinking, and provides endless inspiration for curriculum (and sometimes my own artwork). I've never taught the same exact lesson twice!
I teach to empower my students with knowledge, confidence, curiosity, and skills. Students in my art room explore the complexities of our cultures and histories, and learn how to respond using their unique artistic voice. I believe that a strong visual arts education is challenging, includes many diverse perspectives, and makes clear connections between art and society. This is what I strive for in my curriculum and daily practice.
Interested in seeing some of my own artwork? (Site currently under construction)