Changes in the art department for next year Michele Carr teaching one of her three photography classes. - photo by Katie Swindler Wednesday, April 28, 2010 By Katie Brewer Advertising Changes in the Wilmington High School art department for the 2010-11 school year have been revealed recently.  Changes includes the loss of the photography courses previously offered at WHS and art teacher Melissa O’Conner. According to the current photography teacher Michele Carr, she has mixed feelings about the changes. “Well my initial response is that I wish it wasn’t going to happen, but in all honestly it’s not a decision based on the administration’s desire to not have it,” Carr said. “I think it’s a practical decision based on the need to reduce the offerings because we’re going to have one less teacher and we have a high demand of art.” Carr’s definition of the photography class is that, “it offers the basics in looking at visual communications and looking at design elements and principles as they apply to photography.” “I guess I really feel like it offers students who really like to take photographs an opportunity to look beyond the typical snapshot and to be exposed to the history of photography and what photographers have done throughout time,” Carr said. “Obviously you’re making images with some kind of camera whether it’s a pinhole, SLR, point-and-shoot, digital camera, or a phone.”  Carr knows students are disappointed and will try to help those who have a serious interest in pursuing photography. “I think that there is that chance that I’ll do some independent work within my other classes and I also plan to incorporate some photography based projects in some of what I’m teaching,” Carr said. “So, while it may not always be the preferable way of doing it, I think here at Wilmington we’ve always tried to try to think about what’s students need and try to help them get it.” An additional change is the relocation of current WHS art teacher Melissa O’Conner. O’Conner will now be teaching at Holmes and East End after five years of teaching at WHS. O’Conner’s colleagues are sad to see her go. “I’m sad we’re losing a teacher. I look forward to the day when we can bring her back,” Carr said. “I think this decision was made, in all honesty, to maximize the talents and the skills that we have for the largest amount of students. I don’t believe it was initiated to hurt anybody.” Carr will most likely be teaching Art one, two, three, and four next year, which she believes is a change and it’s a little bit of a different way of looking at her schedule for next year as well as her students’ schedules for next year.  “It’s just one of those things that I think needs to happen for our school right now and our whole system needs to help with the burden of being flexible,” Carr said. “If it’s the best way for our district and the economy within our district to deal with issues then how can I argue with that? I love my school and I love my job.”

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