Michelle Kane » About Mrs. Kane

About Mrs. Kane

Welcome to Fine Art at Mentor High School!

I currently teach Fine Art 2, Fine Art 3, Fine Art 3 Honors, Fine Art 4, and  AP! Click here to view our Program of Studies in Visual Art and read about all of our course offerings at Mentor High!
 
My Educational Philosophy:

As an art educator I am committed to the importance of art instruction for my students and the belief that art—and therefore art education— enriches our lives. Beyond the qualities of creativity, self-expression, and communication, however, art IS a type of work. “Through art, our students learn the meaning of joy of work—work done to the best of one’s ability, for its own sake, for the satisfaction of a job well done.” As an art educator I am dedicated to the idea that art is the best way for every young person to learn the value of work.
 
Creating artwork enriches lives and fosters a positive learning environment for students. But because art IS work, parents, teachers, and the community must recognize and value each child’s efforts in its creation. “Work is one of the noblest expressions of the human spirit, and art is the visible evidence of work carried to the highest possible level.” Good work can foster value in students if we, as a learning community, demonstrate our value for the effort it takes to create good work. Each time we commit ourselves to the endeavor of art, we are dedicated to the idea that art is the best way for every young person to learn the value of work. I know that I am dedicated to the idea that all students should be given the opportunity to see how art can help them express the highest aspirations of the human spirit.
 
Education:
  • Mentor High School graduate
  • Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Institute of Art B.S. in Art Education
  • Marygrove College Masters in the Art of Teaching
  • Teaching experience: this is my 30th year teaching Visual Art!
 

Additional Honors and Awards:

  • 2008 PTA Teacher of the Year  
  • 2009 Ohio Art Education Association Outstanding Teacher 
  • 2011 Master Teacher designation (Ohio Department of Education) 
  • 2013 Senior Professional Educator Endorsement*
  • 2017 Master Teacher renewal (Ohio Department of Education)**
  • 2020 Mentor Board of Education's "Excellence in Team Collaboration" award
  • 2023 Cleveland Institute of Art Excellence in Teaching Award
  • 2023 Master Teacher renewal (Ohio Department of Education)**
 
*I am proud to announce that I received my Senior Professional Educator endorsement on my teaching license. Requirements for the endorsement include demonstration of effective practice at the accomplished or distinguished level of performance as defined in the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession; specifically, by successful completion of the Master Teacher portfolio.
 
** I am proud to announce that I renewed my Master Teacher designation. A master teacher demonstrates excellence inside and outside of the classroom through consistent leadership and focused collaboration to maximize student learning. A master teacher strives for distinguished teaching and continued professional growth as specified by The Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession.