Kathy Shorr: Suspended From School


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I met photographer and educator Kathy Shorr at a portfolio review, where we discussed her work with suspended students. This feature contains her portraits of some of them, each followed by a photograph taken by that student. Text is by Kathy.

"Students at risk are in need of an alternative. I teach documentary photography to many of the most difficult students in New York City; all of the students pictured here have been suspended from the New York City public high schools. They are then sent to the Alternate Learning Centers for the time that they have been given by a hearing officer to serve for their infraction.

Most students are with me on average from four to six weeks. I see them for two to three hours a week. In that time, we review the photographs they have taken and they learn how to work in photo editing programs to organize, tweak and finalize their slideshow, which includes music of their choice (as their exit project). Documentary photography is a wonderful way to empower students to begin to see and makes some sense of their world. It allows them to be creative and instills confidence and self esteem. When they gain self-confidence they begin to realize that they have a voice; something that they see is valid. They learn how to engage in life, discuss creativity with fellow students, become patient, and learn procedures, discipline and even manners.

They begin to learn how to learn by engaging their attention and using the talents that they already have. Once you learn one thing you can learn other things as well. Schools have failed us in that they do not actively engage in these methodologies, which are successful, especially with students who have difficulties in school. Educators have known for a long time that teaching with an emphasis on metrics and test results, while eliminating the arts, does not work for many students.

Success breeds success and my students get this by learning the art of photography.
 
I am a graduate of SVA (The School of Visual Arts) and for the past two years people from the school have been coming to my students' year-end show; they liked it so much that they decided that they would like to host it this year. Opening on June 16th, from 5-7 pm, we will have two floors of the school's walls filled with over 100 images. In addition, prizes, cameras, gift certificates and our big award - a scholarship to SVA's summer high school program for teens - worth $2000."

View the full screen magazine photo feature.

Christine © Kathy Shorr
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