RDM

A Little History...

 

Hello! This page will give you a few facts about me and my progression as a teacher and artist!

I am a native of South Carolina. Growing up in Charleston, I started studying the visual arts at a very early age. In high school I attended and became an alumni of The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts.

 

In 1993 I began my undergraduate degree in the visual arts at the College of Charleston. I focused mostly on painting in the early part of my degree, later I developed a great interest in printmaking techniques and photography.  I was very fortunate to serve for three years as an intern at The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art.  It was during this time that i learned the fundamentals of gallery design, maintenance, non profit fundraising, and events planning.

 

Upon graduation in 1998 my family moved to Hampton, South Carolina. It was here that I took my first teaching job as a visual arts teacher in two schools, Hampton Elementary School and Ben Hazel Primary School.  This experience afforded me the opportunity to teach 3rd-6th graders in the morning and then travel to a primary school in the afternoon to teach K-2nd. This was one of my favorite teaching experiences and it was here that some of my life long friends were made.

 

During this time I decided to fulfill my promise to my mother and myself and complete my Master's Degree.  It was made evident quickly that I needed a lot more training in the fundamentals of education and not just the arts and this led me to major in Elementary Education.

 

Next I transferred to Wade Hampton High School and Varnville Elementary School in the same district and gained experience with upper level students and had the opportunity to teach many of my former elementary school students as High School Students.

 

In 2003 the opportunity to teach art opened in the Department of Defense Schools in Beaufort, South Carolina. I saw this as an opportunity to have closer ties to the military and be in a better position to transfer with my spouse.  I taught visual arts at Galer Elementary School for five years.  I also traveled during some of that time to serve as the art teacher at a newly constructed school in the district also.

 

It was during these years I also developed an after school art academy for children where I taught art lessons and summer enrichment programs to local children in Beaufort County.  I also gave birth to my only son Tripp.

 

In 2008 the opportunity to make a change and to try something new came along.  I was interested in teaching regular classroom for some time and moved into first grade at Galer Elementary School.  I have been in this position for 7 years and love all the knowledge and experience gained.  I have served as head of School Improvement Team, gained invaluable experience in reading and math instruction, and now have a very clear understanding of the struggles in the regular classroom.  To stay active in the arts during this time I began to study digital photography and currently operate my own independent photography studio www.rachaelmcginnisphotography.com.

 

In June of 2015 I relocated with my family to King George.  I am excited about this new adventure and getting to lear all about fourth Grade!