Schools

Meet Main Line Art Teacher Patty Papatheodore

Meet this non-traditional teacher from the Main Line Art Center Patty Papatheodore.

Haverford-Havertown Patch is featuring great area teachers who deserve some spotlight. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do. This art teacher has been in the industry for 12 years and shares her passion for teaching art with children who have developmental and cognitive disability.

Name: Patty Papatheodore

School: Main Line Art Center 

Grade/Subject: K-12 Children's Classes/Mixed Media Art

Years in the Industry:  12

Teaching Background: As a visual artist, I have been teaching children's classes in mixed media, ceramics, printmaking, painting & drawing and fiber arts  at Main Line Art Center for the past 12 years. I work with children who have developmental and cognitive disability as part of Main Line Art Center's Exceptional Art Program. I also teach a ceramic class to blind adults at the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In addition, I provide classes for students from the Elwyn School. I also have the privilege of being the art center's camp director and Family Festival Coordinator.   

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At other organizations, I currently teach a Children's Art Appreciation/ Visual Art Program called "Look and See"  through the Violette de Mazia Foundation.  I have taught at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Woodmere Art Museum. I have been providing cultural doll making workshops for the Philadelphia Free Libraries for several years. I am a Pennsylvania Council Artist working in with Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership in schools in and around Philadelphia. 

What do you like most about your job?   

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I enjoy working with diverse communities and organizations. I believe in the power of the visual arts, having a  broad human connection that transcends time, race and socioeconomic status. People everywhere enjoy making and looking at art. I love spending my days immersed in the process of bringing art to as many people as I can.   


Why did you become a teacher?

I became a teacher to share what I believe to be the most important way to experience the world we live in. Teaching people to experience life in a more creative way, using their five senses is as important as breathing. It breaks my heart to see vital art programs discontinued in schools due to budget cuts. 


What do you like best about your current school (projects, programs or activities that your school is a part of):

At Main Line Art Center, I love the "Art For Everyone" philosophy because they really mean it. They have done everything in their power to support my ideas, classes, and students over the years. 

 


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