Parker Elementary School (Visual Art)- Braeburn Elementary School (Visual Art)
This partnership is in their third year of collaboration. Parker Elementary School is one of the most diverse title1 schools in the district, and it is also a music magnet school. Ms. Dickinson leads the Visual Art students in connecting with Ms. Padilla and her students at Braeburn Elementary School. Together, all students will explore the connections between visual art and music, and they will have an exciting field trip to the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University.
Teacher
Rosio Padilla
My name is Rosio Padilla and this is my 7th year teaching art. I graduated from the University of Houston in 2014 and began teaching at Braeburn Elementary ever since. In 2019 I completed my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Art Education. During the 2017-2018 school year I was voted Teacher of the Year on my campus. Braeburn has gone through a lot since Hurricane Harvey destroyed our building, but we have also accomplished a lot with the power of art. My classes collaborated with UpArt Studios and artist Rahmaan Statik to create a mural that was created in our community. We were recognized by Mayor Silvester Turner for our contribution to the community. During the pandemic my students collaborated virtually with local artist Marsha Dorsey Outlaw to create a mosaic for our Spark Park. I love creating with my students and watching them persevere every year through all we go through. I have lived in Houston my whole life and I am proud to continue my passion for art through art education.
Teacher
Julie Dickinson
Julie Dickinson has been teaching art since 2006. After graduating from Texas State University, she lived and taught in Spain, Thailand, and China. When she returned to her hometown of Houston, she taught at a charter school before founding the art department at Parker Elementary where she currently teaches. Her students’ work is displayed in Representative Ann Johnson’s office in the Capitol building. Julie collaborated with local artist, Dylan Conner to create student sculptures for the Parker Spark Park. In 2019, Julie worked with students and the Parker community to create The Manely Musical Lion Art Car which was featured at the 2020 Art Car Experience. Julie’s husband teaches at Parker as well, and both of their daughters attend the school.