St. Frances Cabrini Academy
Years at Cabrini: 14th Year
Other Positions: Ms. Heymeyer is the lead teacher at Artscope. In 2016, received an individual artist grant from RAC for the “Wild Seed Field Museum” an educational mobile museum rooted in inquiry that links traditional skills, art, ecology, and science. I take “Wild Seed” to festivals around the US and facilitate public programming in the St Louis area. Currently, Wild Seed classes are offered at the St. Louis County Library and Maypop Garden Center in Maplewood. Ms Heymeyer is also a certified yoga teacher.
As a Teaching Artist I’ve worked with numerous organizations in the St Louis area including the Contemporary Art Museum, St Louis Art Museum, DeSales Community Development, Metro Theater Company, Chesterfield Arts, Sew Aware/Dutchtown South, and others.
Education: Semester Abroad at the Aegean Center for the Fine Arts- Paros, Greece (’04), University of Missouri-Columbia Graduate (’05), Community Arts Training Fellow through the Regional Arts Commission (’08), Community Artist Training Graduate Program through the Regional Arts Commission (’12)
Why do you enjoy teaching at Cabrini? Cabrini is my extended family! I’ve known some of our students through the entirety of their K-8 education, sometimes siblings or/and cousins. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and often run into student/former students at the grocery store or out at events. I love it! The intertwining of community and teaching has been an incredible gift. Our students are the reason I’m at Cabrini.
How would you describe your teaching style and methods? Each year we cover Fine Arts Standards and expand into other creative realms including STEAM (STEM with arts integration). Projects in Lower Division are often centered around art history, traditional art/craft, seasonal celebrations, and classroom themes.
Upper Division uses art history as a basis for long term unit/projects that span each quarter. Throughout the year students have an opportunity to explore a variety of artistic media while applying critical thinking skills to inquiry and self-expression. Each year 8th graders works with the Music Department to construct costumes and props for the 8th grade play. Our students have won numerous art competitions in the St Louis area and often excel in their High School Art programs.