Jo Ann Dreas and Debbie Hilderbrand

Dreas’ and Hilderbrand’s innovative teaching idea, “Local Art: Learn-Create-Enrich,” is designed to help students with learning disabilities express themselves through photography. Students will create a documentary using digital photography that reflects the multicultural and diverse architectural heritage of St. Louis. Students will have the ability to express themselves in a medium that is conducive to expanding their individual abilities. All students will benefit from the research and composition of engaging in a project that involves art, history, diversity and documentary story-telling. Ultimately, the goal is to stimulate students' critical thinking across the curriculum and broaden the scope of their awareness of a multicultural world. Also, students who are ready for a challenge will have opportunities to expand their own abilities to their full potential.