Jennifer McIntyre's Portfolio Page
My name is Jennifer McIntyre and I am excited about being a part of the NCSU Czech Cultural Connections, Collections, and Reflections Teacher Professional Development Program. The 2018-2019 school year is my fifth year as an elementary Visual Art Teacher. I earned a B.A. in Visual Art (Photography Concentration) with a minor in Communications from Meredith College. After several years working for arts non-profits, and missing the hands-on process and working with materials, I returned to Meredith for a teaching certification (Art K-12). My greatest passion is what the arts can do for every person outside of art. Artists are the best problem solvers. Students may not grow to become artists, but what they learn from exploring materials, visualizing and solving mistakes and construction problems, is invaluable.
Before staying home with my children, I taught middle and high school. Originally from Raleigh, I live in Garner with my husband and three daughters. My oldest daughter is a senior in high school and will be attending Appalachian in the fall. My second daughter is a sophomore and the third is a fourth grader. In addition, we have two loving, and very exhausting German Short-haired Pointers, Gauge and Piper.
Before staying home with my children, I taught middle and high school. Originally from Raleigh, I live in Garner with my husband and three daughters. My oldest daughter is a senior in high school and will be attending Appalachian in the fall. My second daughter is a sophomore and the third is a fourth grader. In addition, we have two loving, and very exhausting German Short-haired Pointers, Gauge and Piper.
PROJECTS:
Cultural Connections Project 1: Two Travel Writing Pieces
Cultural Connections Project 2: Scripted Duologue (Plotagon Animation)
Cultural Collections Project 1: Mapping Cultural Themes (Clio)
The Memorial to the Victims of Communism
Located at the base of of Petřín hill, Malá Strana across from the tram stop, The Memorial to the Victims of Communism is a series of bronze statutes commemorating the victims of the communist era between 1948 and 1989. Sculptor Olbram Zoubek, along with architects Jan Kerel and Zdenek Holzel, created this public work that shows seven life-sized nude male figures descending a flight of concrete stairs. Unveiled 12 years after the fall of communism in 2002, the memorial was not without controversy. Many complained a woman was not represented, and one figure was damaged in two explosions in 2003. No one was found responsible. The same figure repeats and appears to break open, decay or melt away. All that remains of the last figure at the top of the stairs is a foot. This breaking apart or decaying symbolizes how Communism affected everyone—prisoners, those executed, as well as those who endured a life of totalitarianism. After the end of WWII, Czechoslavakia fell under the rule of the Soviet Union. From 1948 until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Czechoslavakia was communist. Any free-thinking ideology, including religion, was eradicated from society. There was no longer private ownership. The economy was planned, and education was under government control. All students learned what the communist government decided was important to know—eliminating any western ways from the curriculum. Anyone who spoke or acted against the regime was fiercely reprimanded, sometimes killed. Running up the center of the memorial’s concrete steps is an embedded bronze strip with the estimated numbers of those impacted by communism: 205,486 arrested; 170,938 forced into exile; 4,500 died in prison; 327 shot trying to escape; 248 executed. The nearby memorial plaque reads: "The memorial to the victims of communism is dedicated to all victims not only those who were jailed or executed but also those whose lives were ruined by totalitarian despotism." As I looked at the memorial, seeing the man (representing all human beings), melting or decaying, I am confused by him descending the stairs. I originally thought the remaining foot at the top was the end. However, the figure is walking towards us. I think the top step with only the foot, is where it begins—how life was in 1989, when communism fell. Society, the people, had dwindled to near nothingness. I think the memorial shows how, with the fall of communism, there is renewed hope. And with each step of the figure down the stairs there is truth; the figure comes closer, and more whole as he descends. The repeated image is coming toward us, down the stairs, facing forward, not walking away from us, up the stairs. He (society) becomes one body again—healed. The Charter 77 movement—an informal civic group that united from 1976-1992 and helped lead toward what became the Velvet Revolution in 1989--had the motto, "Truth prevails for those who live in truth.” This memorial is a reminder of the truths about communism. This memorial shows visually, the true story. Truth will prevail and the future is full of hope. |
Cultural Collections Project 2: Curating Cultural Themes (Padlet)
Cultural Collections Project 3: Neighborhood Analysis (Weebly Slide Show)
Taking tram 18 south to Prague 2 our destination was Vysehrad. Exiting the tram too soon, we ended up in the area below the historic fort. Our immediate sense was the overwhelming silence. Cars and trams bustled on busier streets, but once past it was quiet. This could be due to it being a Monday, a national holiday week, or the fact that it was hot as hades. We walked through a tunnel walkway under the train tracks up to a grassy greenway looking area. Although the grass was overgrown, there was a new playground and a few people walking their dogs. Three young boys crossed the street alone. The curiosity of the boys about what we were photographing, and the presence of less English on signs made me think that tourists do not venture to this neighborhood. The buildings appeared to be local businesses with residential space above. They did not appear to have air conditioning, as most windows were open with linens airing out. Except for the hills, it reminded me of Florida. Maybe it was the heat, bright sun, Spanish terra cotta roofs and the window flower boxes. There was a path that went up a steep hill to clay tennis courts at the base of the fortress. Unfortunately, at the time we could not figure out how to get up to the fortress. By the five different colored bins on a street corner, recycling is definitely a priority. There was also a cardboard box for a very small lawn mower, but we were not clear who would need one.
Later, on a cooler day, we returned to the top of the fortress. The area appears to be a mix of residential and business. Vysehrad is on the border of Prague 2 and 4. Exiting the metro this time, we past international businesses including SAS. The homes first seen walking toward the historic fort appeared as individual gated homes. Many people strolled the streets and nearby parks. Although not maintained on a regular basis, there are sidewalks or “greenways.” These paths are not just for pleasure, but for getting to and from places of destination. Most individuals appeared young adult, unless a tourist. Public transportation is easily accessible and the neighborhood looks down on the Vltava River. Dating from the 10thcentury, inside the fort is the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and a cemetery. Many famous Czech artists are buried there.
Later, on a cooler day, we returned to the top of the fortress. The area appears to be a mix of residential and business. Vysehrad is on the border of Prague 2 and 4. Exiting the metro this time, we past international businesses including SAS. The homes first seen walking toward the historic fort appeared as individual gated homes. Many people strolled the streets and nearby parks. Although not maintained on a regular basis, there are sidewalks or “greenways.” These paths are not just for pleasure, but for getting to and from places of destination. Most individuals appeared young adult, unless a tourist. Public transportation is easily accessible and the neighborhood looks down on the Vltava River. Dating from the 10thcentury, inside the fort is the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and a cemetery. Many famous Czech artists are buried there.
Cultural Collections Project 4: Museum Artifact Analysis (Voicethread)
Cultural Reflections Project 1: Czech Education System, "The Last Word" Discussion
- "free education"
- "depending on ability and capacity"
- "passing the entrance examination set by the school"
- "school year begins on 1st September and ends on 31st August of the following year"
- "average class size was 21.7"
- "teachers usually specialize in two subjects"
- "current literacy rate in the country is above 99%"
- "Raise the attractiveness of the teaching profession and take measures to increase the inclusion of disadvantaged children, including Roma, in mainstream schools and pre-schools."
- "of particular concern are the estimated 72% of Roma children who leave school early..."
After discussing the Czech education system in a small group on March 23rd, we found several quotes in the materials worthy of discussion, however the plight of the Roma population was of particular interest. Historically transient, the Roma are a minority ethnic group with northern India ancestry. They are referred to as gypsies or "travelers." Czech education information reveals that in just recent years reform was implemented for Roma children and inclusive education. The country had growing inequalities in the education of Roma children and was met with international criticism of unequal treatment of these children. Although schools are by district or "catchment" areas, if there was a high Roma enrollment at a school, other families would move their children out of that school. This reform has only been in place since 2015. I am curious to what extent the inclusion of the Roma people, and those with special needs, has improved in the last four years, especially since, in the United States, inclusion has been a long on-going issue with people of color, minority groups, people with special needs, and now LGBTQ.
Cultural Reflections Project 2: Cultural Writing
Cultural Reflections Project 3: Czech Film Review of Koyla
Kolya is a 1996 Czech film about a bachelor whose life is changed unexpectedly by the arrival of a young boy at his door. The setting is Prague around the time the Soviet system is breaking down (1988). The Russians are present in the streets. There is a scene where the main character—Frantisek Louka—is asked by his landlady to hang a Russian flag outside his window. He agrees but takes his time to complete the task. This request reminded me of the Sound of Music when Captain Von Trap refuses to hang the Nazi flag in his Austrian home.
Louka is a middle-aged Czech man who loves his bachelorhood and women. He is a well-known cellist who, at some time was blacklisted due to his political position. Now he barely makes ends meet playing at funerals at the Prague crematorium He needs a car and a friend offers him a chance to earn some money through a fake marriage. He agrees to marry a Russian single mom (who only speaks Russian), so she can remain in Czechoslovakia. Soon after the sham union, the woman uses her new Czechoslovakian citizenship to emigrate to West Germany where her boyfriend lives. The movie reveals that West Germany did not allow Russians to emigrate, however, now that she has new citizenship, she can. Because of the circumstances the government made her leave her five-year old son, Kolya, in Czechoslovakia. Louka is officially the boy’s step-father, and through a series of events, Kolya ends up on his doorstep. The two have a language barrier. Communication is difficult. One is Czech and the other Russian. Eventually, the two build a beautiful relationship. The government questions the marriage and considers putting Louka in prison. Louka does all he can to stay out of prison and to keep the boy with him. The Velvet or Gentle Revolution get involved and reunite Kolya with his mother, and Louka and Kolya say their goodbyes. In the end, Louka returns to play for the Philharmonic and we find out that his girlfriend is pregnant. Life is difficult as it is. Governments add to that stress. The red-tape of it all is so useless. People want freedom. You could say the mother was selfish to leave her son for Germany. You could also say that in the end, the boy is why she did it. As parents we want what is best for our kids. We want a world where they are free to make choices and find their way, not the way of others. You would think that we as a world society learned a great deal from Hitler and other communist dictators, but it seems that we just cycle back around again, fighting another fight or excepting another circumstance. I recommend Kolya. It took me a while to get my bearings when I started the film. But I found viewing a film with subtitles more meaningful. I realized how much I attempt to accomplish while doing other tasks. Subtitles helped me to be present. According to Wikipedia, Koyla won the following awards:
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Cultural Reflections Project 4: Czech Book Review
Peter J. Stein began his formidable years during WWII in Prague. As the only child of a Catholic mother and Jewish father, Stein lays before the reader memories of Hitler and the Holocaust emerging before him as a young boy. He recalls the extended times his father was not around—away working as slave labor--and later disappearing like so many family members and friends in Nazi-occupied Prague. When his grandparents listened to the BBC too loud on the radio his mother was afraid they would be reported -- an act that could be “punishable by death” if caught. His story is unique, real and personal. A young boy’s perspective on life among adults acting strangely: toy soldiers in stores depicted as only German troops; being told not to make eye-contact with real soldiers in the streets. “I didn’t really understand, but I knew to be afraid,” Stein writes. “I learned to keep my eyes down and my mouth closed. My mother said it was safer that way, not to call attention to myself, to blend in.”
As a pre-teen immigrant in the United States, Stein sought a firmer foundation for his life. Things were better in America, but not easy. He worked to put the past aside, until, as a college professor, his experience and his history, was challenged. He knew his story needed to be told. The education of Hitler’s Holocaust needed to be set right, and taught. A Boy’s Journey is a personal account of the effects of evil. It’s a record to ensure from here forward, people will know the events and not choose to repeat the past. |