I consider teaching an art; I work harder and longer at it than anything else I have ever done.

 

This codifies my teaching philosophy:

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."

--Goethe

 

sparkler ecstacy

It's all just pixels, a splatter of light, catch and release.

 

Because of flickr I now document the mundane details of my life that i take for granted. It drives me develop as an observer. It creates a beginners mind as I look around my with the eyes of others. Everything becomes new.

 

My handle is from a silly misunderstanding- how my child misinterpreted the name of her favorite Jazz singer for a women's history report.

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Photos of elephantsgerald

Testimonials

Lizzie C says:

She was one of the best teacher for one of my favorite classes, I still remember her (not that it has been that long since I was there) but I will remember her whenever I'm thinking of the technicalities of photography!

June 20, 2008
Manda says:

She's kind, free-spirited, and personable. I believe that I can speak for more than just myself when I say that I viewed myself as more of an observer of art until I met her. She allowed for me to see that I was a creater of art, as well.

March 28, 2008

Ms. Martin is an AMAZING teacher. She gets us motivated in fun ways. Lets us explore with everything we do. And helps us make our work better. She's a great teacher and role model for us kids at west. And personally, She's one of my heros. :] She's probably the best teacher I've ever had. Thanks Ms. Martin… Read more

Ms. Martin is an AMAZING teacher. She gets us motivated in fun ways. Lets us explore with everything we do. And helps us make our work better. She's a great teacher and role model for us kids at west. And personally, She's one of my heros. :] She's probably the best teacher I've ever had. Thanks Ms. Martin ^-^

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March 23, 2008

Wow, I can't quite fathom how amazing "elephantsgerald's" flickr profile looks. It inspires me to make my profile as magnificent as hers

January 30, 2008
yumi her says:

mancini (when she was) was and still is my main inspiration. from digital photograhy to editing photos on photoshop, she taught it all. SHE'S A BAD MAMAJAMA!

November 29, 2007

Is there a greater teacher you can consider a friend? Can you truly define what makes a great teacher? Is it one that teaches or one that teaches you and inspires you to remember them years after? That is what Ms. Martin is, an inspirational guide to the world of art, she makes the simplest of things a complex system o… Read more

Is there a greater teacher you can consider a friend? Can you truly define what makes a great teacher? Is it one that teaches or one that teaches you and inspires you to remember them years after? That is what Ms. Martin is, an inspirational guide to the world of art, she makes the simplest of things a complex system of understanding and perfecting. A friend, a teacher, a guide, an artists, only a few simple words that describe Ms. Martin, who is one of the best teachers you will ever encounter.

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November 27, 2007

miss m is my inspiration. call me cliche but if it wasn't for miss m's class i would be lost. i learn everyday, but she taught me everything i need to know. she is priceless! seriously. give her a hug the next time you see her!

October 23, 2007

You're definitely a source of inspiration to me and to all your fans-the students! They are so lucky to have you and I only wish I had a you throughout my highschool career. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and thoughtful comments on my work and everything else!

April 17, 2007

Brandi's photos stem from a person who is really alive and looking. Her shots challenge me to look further, look again, and to stretch my mind and vision. What a gift to Flickr!

February 18, 2006