Community Arts Partner – The Creative Advantage

Participant Details

Individual Bio or Organizational Statement: Roger Fernandes is a Native American artist, storyteller, and educator whose work focuses on the Coast Salish tribes of the western Washington region. He is a member of the Lower Elwha S'Klallam Tribe and has a degree in Native American Studie from The Evergreen State College and a master's degree in Whole Systems Design for Antioch University. Roger has worked in the field of Native education and culture for the past 30 years and has worked in K-12 schools, colleges, and various tribal programs sharing Coast Salish culture, art, and storytelling. As an artist he cretaes traditional and contemporary visual statements and has works in many private and public collections. As a storyteller he works in schools and other settings to share the cultural values and beliefs of indigenous people found in the stories. As an educator he has done a variety of inservice trainings on Native American and arts topics and has developed curriculum around the same concepts.

Discipline: 2, 5, Native American Coast Salish Story & Art; Provides student experiences and Professional Development for educators

Type

Teaching Philosophy + Approach: It is important for me to hear from the teachers what are their expectations of my involvement. And for them to hear mine. When we understand each other's expectations we can actively work to support one another. Every student is a powerful storyteller and artist already. They need opportuniites to draw upon those innate talents and a space to share their unique gifts. Teachers can be helpful in identifying students who need to be praised or encouraged or validated during my residency. Students need to be active; doing something, not just listening to a lecture. Storytelling is an involved process and is not akin to lecturing; art analysis and creating original designs link the science mind with the artist mind.

Curriculum Integration Possibilities

Special Skills and Areas of Expertise

Multicultural classes with significant numbers of students of color.
Alternative schools that want to look at different methods in instruction and teaching.
Conducting teacher trainings, inservices, and workshops on Native art and culture and general arts concepts.

Testimonials from Schools