Photo courtesy of Paul Belenky
Abby Hepner
News Reporter
This year, Newton South welcomes Paul Belenky into the art department. As a Newton South alum, Belenky is very excited to be back at NSHS, despite the remote setting.
Belenky has been teaching art for three years. Before this year, he taught art at the William Ellery Channing Elementary School in Hyde Park. He has also taught outdoor education, including white water kayaking and other wilderness expeditions.
Belenky notes that teaching high school art online requires both a different style and skill set compared to teaching in-person at an elementary school.
“I really enjoy working in my department team, and I am very impressed with the drive I see from students who are trying so hard to make remote artwork,” said Belenky.
Belenky teaches Honors Sculpture and 3D Explorations. This year, these classes are focused on sculpture rather than other media, as sculpture is more accommodating to the remote learning environment.
Belenky is most excited about inviting guest speakers and artists to his classes, a process that has been made easier via Zoom. In addition, he loves to watch his students work hard on their sculptures through zoom.
“The fact that I can talk into a rectangle, and students trust that enough to make a sculpture on the other end is magical!” said Belenky.
