A few days before school started, Inskip Elementary art teacher Ellery Nief sat perched on a table, pausing for a break while painting a chair ahead of students returning to class.
Nief’s persistence in having a bright, welcoming classroom is just another example of the dedication of Inskip’s teachers, according to assistant principal Megan Blevins.
Megan Blevins and Dakota Noble in Inskip’s music room.
“We really do have great teachers here,” Blevins said. “They put the effort in for these students, so they’re motivated to come in and be engaged when they first get here.”
Blevins noted that Inskip’s students are, by and large, from working class households. Many remain until 6 p.m. in the after-school program waiting for parents to be off from work to pick them up. So, providing enriching activities for them is paramount. And that’s why the school’s growing theatre arts and music programs are so important.
“We’re looking to mesh those programs, hopefully for school productions,” Blevins said. “These kids deserve the same opportunities as students at other schools.”
Down the hall, Inskip’s new music teacher, Dakota Noble, was getting things in order for the start of the year. While band (in the traditional sense) is no longer a part of elementary education in Knox County Schools, Noble said he is looking to expand his student’s horizons with any instruments he can get his hands on that might pique their interest.
“If anyone out there has their old band instruments sitting unused in an attic, I’m happy to put them to use,” Noble said. “We’d welcome any donations.”
Theatre arts teacher Christy Muecke is starting her second year at Inskip. Her stated plans are teaching acting, costume design, backdrop design and storytelling, with a goal of putting on a show at the end of the semester.
The magnificent mural welcoming students to Inskip’s arts classes.
All of the arts classes at Inskip are housed in the new wing of the school that added 29,000 square feet to the existing building (read that story here). While the students have new facilities for practicing and learning their arts, and though the gymnasium/auditorium floor is shining like a new copper penny, there are a few things the school needs to add the final spit and polish to any future productions.
First on the list is a new set of curtains. The curtains that have been opened and closed the stage since the early 1950s are falling apart where they hang. Some back curtains, stage lights and a new soundboard are on the wish list to bring the performance space up to par with the classrooms. The purchase of these items is not covered by the school’s KCS budget nor from any of the other funding sources such as Title I. So, Knox TN Today is partnering with the school to help raise that money.
Anyone able can please send a donation to the school at 4701 High School Road, Knoxville, TN 37912. Put “curtain fund” in the memo. At the moment, mailing a check to the school is the best option for making a donation. We’re exploring how to set up an online donation site.
We’ll be finding some special ways to recognize donors as well, so pick your level and, please, send those checks.
- Executive Producer: $500+
- Producer: $250
- Director: $100
- Choreographer: $50
- Set Designer: $25
Stay tuned to this space to find out more about the school and why these improvements are vital to programs at Inskip.
Beth Kinnane is the community news editor for KnoxTNToday.com