THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511280101
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI LEWIS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
J ERRY TOMPKINS CAN take almost any subject and build an art program around it.
After all, he says, ``You can't separate art from the daily living of life.''
Tompkins should know. He is the art history specialist for the Norfolk Public School System. It's a position, he said, that is found in only a few school systems across the country, and his is the only such position in Hampton Roads.
As art history specialist, Tompkins shares his wealth of knowledge and his enthusiasm for art with the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in Norfolk's public schools.
Recently, Tompkins was honored for his work by receiving the designation as the state's Art Educator of the Year by the Virginia Art Education Association.
Tompkins has worked within the Norfolk Public School System for his entire 33-year career in education. After graduating from Old Dominion University, he served as an art teacher, and for the last 21, as art history specialist.
``I've only had one job in my life,'' he said. ``I love it and I wouldn't be anywhere else.''
Tompkins is in the classroom four days a week, sometimes at two to three different schools in one day. On Fridays, he's in his office at the school administration building preparing for the next week's programs. His supervisor is Sharon Hill, the coordinator of art education for Norfolk Public Schools.
He makes his visits to classrooms at teachers' requests. They can choose from a list of 35 topics for elementary schoolers that he has developed over the years, or he can custom-design a program to fit in with a teacher's curriculum.
For example, if a class is studying about different careers, Tompkins can come in and present a program built around slides of artwork depicting different careers. For a unit of study on the city of Norfolk, he will present a program surveying and comparing local architecture with Greek, Roman and Egyptian influences. A unit on transportation can be embellished with Tompkins' program showing different forms of transportation as shown in prints, photographs, and paintings.
Tompkins also gives pre-trip programs on places like Williamsburg and Jamestown. He said, that when his students get there, the guides are sometimes amazed by what they know already. ``They know,'' he said, ``because I've been there.''
In addition to his slide presentations (which features slides that he has made himself, many from personal visits), he introduces the names of famous artists, vocabulary words and the elements of art. He also leaves with the classroom teacher a list of follow-up activities to do.
During his programs, ``I try to get everyone involved. And I call on everybody.'' He said he guides his students to the right answers, so that they will feel a small measure of success. ``These students haven't had much success, and I want them to feel successful.''
And it sounds like it is working. On return visits, he said he's usually greeted by the students' clapping and cheering.
Moving from school to school and class to class is something Tompkins enjoys. ``I get a new challenge after 45 to 50 minutes,'' he said.
Tompkins, himself, is a product of Norfolk Public Schools, graduating from Norview High School. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Old Dominion University, where he is treasurer and former vice president of the alumni association.
During his long career, Tompkins has taught art history to elementary, middle and high school students. But because of budgetary cuts, he only works in Willard and Norfolk's community schools.
But even as the years have past, Tompkins said, ``I find the children just as enthusiastic today as I did 30 years ago.'' MEMO: If you know someone whom you feel is deserving of a Thumbs Up! feature,
call Vicki Lewis at 446-2286. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Jerry Tompkins, showing slides to a Monroe Elementary class, has
worked in the Norfolk Public Schools for his entire 33-year career
in education.
by CNB