Spring / Fall 2021

Section II: Teaching

A. List of other teaching-related activities (e.g., dissertation committees, course development, unique features, etc.) During the evaluation period.

SPRING 2021

ART 150.01 FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN IN ART (3) 11

ART 150.02 FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN IN ART (3) 7

ART 170.01 INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING (3) 12

ART 350.01 STUDIES IN DRAWING: DIY SCREEN PRINT (3) 12

ART 492.02 INTERNSHIP (3) 1

ART 499.04 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1) 1

FALL 2021

ART 150.01 FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN IN ART (3) 12

ART 170.O1 INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING (3) 15

ART 495.02 SPECIAL TOPIC: STORYTELLING IN ANIMATION (4) 1

GSR 300.03 GENERAL STUDIES CAPSTONE: STORYTELLING IN ANIMATION (4) 14

SPRING 2021

1. Faculty member developed and upgraded the articulated syllabus (S_a)

2. Faculty member used the pedagogy conform to elevate the higher standard education in the lectures, and lesson plans for six courses in the spring of 2021 (S_b)

3. Updated and posted weekly assignments on Blackboard Ultra (S_c)

4. Recorded attendance on Navigate (S_c)

5. Faculty member taught classes regularly (S_d)

6. Accessible and responsive to students during office hours (S_d)

7. Accessible and responsive to international student outside of the office hours due to time zone (S_d)

8. Extended my zoom office hours to students for remote courses (S_d)

9. Faculty member resolved their classroom issued related to concerted classroom to remote course (S_e)

10. Researched and experimented with Zoom by studying tutorial videos (S_e)

11. Faculty member taught second section of ART 150.02 (S_f)

12. Participated and supported Art department meetings (S_f)

13. Faculty member willingly participated in Art, Communication, and Theatre meetings (S_f)

14. Faculty member willingly provided support to the curriculum by updating the syllabus, lectures, lesson plans for six courses with remote online language (S_f)

15. Effectively inventories art supplies for courses meeting ordering deadline ART 150/170/350 (S_g)

16. Successfully maintained duties as Academic advisor for 6 students (S_h)

17. Assisted the art department with restructuring (C_a)

18. Involvement in curriculum development with the art department from spring to summer (C_a)

19. Created an art major checklist for my student advisees (C_a)

20. Presented 15-minute seminars on the diversity of artists’ biographies and their struggles for spring 20201 courses (C_b)

21. Faculty member collaborated an internship course with other faculty ART 492.02 (C_c)

22. Faculty member taught independent studies ART 499.04 (C_d)

23. Coordinated several virtual field trips for students to include Museum of Modern Art, National Gallery of Art-East building, and Museum of African American Art (C_e)

24. Guest lecturer for Johnston Grindstaff’s class ART 491: Senior Exhibit & Portfolio (C_g)

25. Received excellent evaluations from students (O_a)

26. Created an art exhibition for students to preview the works of four classes by reserving an online virtual gallery titled “Spring Final 2021” (O_b)

27. Tutored students outside of the classroom (O_b)

28. Provided students with an exceptional learning opportunity outside of the classroom by developing several art video tutorials for remote teaching (O_b)

29. Developed a new courses syllabus and schedule for ART 350.01 (O_d)

30. Taught ART 350.01 Studies in Drawing: DIY T-shirt Screen-print (O_d)

31. Provided information on independent studies to enhance the student learning experience (O_e)

Explanation of Activities Relevant to Teaching:

(1/2) Mava tweaked a new weekly lesson plan for teaching and activities for students to hone in on their skill techniques. He collaborated with a colleague who teaches at art schools to discuss our teaching method, sharing assignments, projects, and syllabus.

(23) Mava coordinated virtual field trips to various locations based on their learning experiment using a variety of techniques, educating students of the privilege of attending museums to learn about artist’s biographies.

FALL 2021

1. Faculty member developed and upgraded the articulated four syllabus (S_a)

2. Faculty member used the pedagogy conform to elevate a higher standard of education in lectures, and lesson plans for four courses in the fall of 2021 (S_b)

3. Updated and posted weekly assignment on Blackboard Ultra (S_c)

4. Recorded attendance on Navigate (S_c)

5. Faculty member regularly taught classes (S_d)

6. Accessible and responsive to students during off office hours (S_d)

7. Accessible and responsive to student during office hours (S_d)

8. Attended my office hours to students for courses (S_d)

9. Used technology device to teach classes with technical tool such as a shared screen to LCD TV, and second screen to preview art techniques (S_e)

10. Participated and supported remote meetings within the art department (S_f)

11. Faculty member willingly participated in School of Art and Humanities remote meetings (S_f)

12. Faculty member willingly provided support to the curriculum by updating the syllabus, lectures, lesson plans for four courses (S_f)

13. Effectively inventoried art supplies for courses meeting the ordering deadline ART 150/170 (S_g)

14. Successfully maintained duties as Academic advisor for five students

15. Involvement in curriculum development with the art department Fall 2021 (C_a)

16. Presented 15-minute seminars on the diversity of artists’ biographies and their struggles for Fall 2021 courses by using the PowerPoint tool (C-b)

17. Assisted in developing a new course, syllabus, and schedule with Marina Martin for ART 495/ GSR 300 (C_c)

18. Coordinated several field trips for students to include National Museum of African Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Gallery of Art (East/West Building), and Linda Jordan Art Gallery (Washburn Art Center) (C_c)

19. Tutored students outside of the classroom (O_b)

20. Provided students with an exceptional learning opportunity outside of the classroom by developing several art video tutorials for teaching (O_b)

21. Created an art wall for students to preview their work of ART 150/170 by reserving the windows at Washburn Art Center (O_b)

22. Created ASL video versions and written English for assignments, midterm, and final exam (O_b)

Explanation of Activities Relevant to Teaching:

17. Relinquish and deferred my third course ART 360.01 to co-teaching with Marina Martins, CEO of Pigmental Studio for GSR 300.3/ ART 495.02 collaborated with her to create a course with syllabus, lesson plan, Ultra and navigate. Hosted and moderated the GSR300/ART495 Storytelling in Animation Final Showcase to Gallaudet University

Mava's teaching narrative exemplifies his dedication, resilience, and adaptability during a challenging transition, especially from Spring 2021 to Fall 2021. The Spring 2021 semester was conducted entirely on Zoom, marking the final stretch before the university announced a return to face-to-face instruction for the Fall 2021 semester under strict safety protocols due to the ongoing pandemic. However, this transition brought its own set of challenges and learning curves.

During Spring 2021, Mava taught six courses, marking one of the most intense teaching schedules of his career as he juggled multiple responsibilities, including students, interns, and independent studies, Mava faced the daunting task of managing all these roles remotely. The challenges of this semester were further compounded by the presence of several international students, predominantly from Oman, where logistical issues such as shipping delays and high costs complicated the delivery of necessary art materials. Despite these obstacles, Mava was impressed by how these students handled the situation with understanding and patience. They remained actively engaged, demonstrating a deep commitment to their education despite the difficulties.

Mava's teaching approach during this period was deeply rooted in responsiveness and adaptability. The time zone differences with his international students necessitated flexibility in his office hours, often extending late into the evening to accommodate their needs. He ensured that every student received the attention and support necessary to succeed in the remote learning environment regardless of location or circumstance. His commitment to accessibility was evident in his creation of video tutorials, alternative learning materials, and extended Zoom office hours, ensuring that each student had a fair chance to engage with the coursework. Despite the difficulties of teaching six remote courses simultaneously, Mava maintained his high standards and worked diligently to adapt lesson plans and assignments to the online format.

Throughout the Spring 2021 semester, Mava remained committed to enriching the student experience. He coordinated virtual field trips to renowned art institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of African American Art. These virtual visits allowed students to engage with the art world in a way that would have been impossible given the pandemic restrictions. Mava also emphasized diversity in his teaching by incorporating 15-minute seminars on artists' biographies, emphasizing the struggles many artists face in pursuing their craft. These lessons resonated deeply with the students, giving them a more pure view of the art world beyond just technique and theory.

In the Fall of 2021 semester, Mava returned to campus under the mask safety protocol. The shift from remote to in-person teaching was a welcome change but came with challenges. The campus environment felt strange and unsettling as students and faculty adjusted to the new reality of in-person interaction amidst the ongoing threat of COVID-19. There were cases of students contracting the virus, which led to some being isolated in different buildings for safety. Despite the bizarre atmosphere, Mava embraced the opportunity to return to the classroom, where he could reconnect with students more directly and tangibly.

In Fall 2021, Mava taught four courses, which felt more manageable compared to the intensity of the previous semester. The transition back to campus was smoother regarding workload, but the anxiety of returning to in-person interactions remained among students and staff. Mava continued to prioritize the well-being of his students, ensuring that everyone felt safe and supported during this time of adjustment. His teaching methods evolved once again as he integrated new technology into the classroom, using shared screens, LCD TVs, and other digital tools to enhance the learning experience. He also returned to more hands-on approaches, particularly in courses like Introduction to Drawing and Fundamentals of Design, where students could engage directly with the materials and techniques.

Despite the strange climate of Fall 2021, Mava remained deeply committed to providing exceptional learning experiences. Again, he coordinated field trips—this time in person—to major art institutions such as the National Museum of African Art and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. These trips were essential in helping students reconnect with the physical art world after months of remote learning. He also emphasized the importance of diverse artist narratives, encouraging students to explore the biographies of artists who had overcome personal and societal challenges to pursue their work.

In both semesters, Mava maintained his role as an academic advisor to his students, guiding his students through their academic journeys despite the difficulties of the pandemic. He provided personalized advice, created checklists to help them stay on track, and supported them in finding creative solutions to the challenges posed by remote and hybrid learning environments.

Mava's teaching style combines adaptability, empathy, and rigorous academic standards. Whether teaching remotely or in person, he strives to create a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive, where students feel empowered to express themselves and develop their artistic skills. His dedication to his students' success and willingness to embrace new methods and technologies have made him an invaluable educator, particularly during these challenging times. His ability to navigate the complexities of international shipping, time zones, and the emotional toll of the pandemic is a testament to his commitment to his craft and the success of his students.

The Spring and Fall semesters of 2021 were focal in Mava's teaching career, marked by immense challenges and significant growth. His experience during this period has shaped his approach to teaching, supporting the importance of flexibility, innovation, and compassion in education. His efforts to maintain a high standard of education, even in the face of hardship, are reflected in the positive feedback he continues to receive from his students, who appreciate his tireless support and commitment.