Dr. Sermon has been serving in education for over a decade in a rural school district in South Carolina. Seeking to improve her professional capabilities, Dr. Sermon furthered her education receiving a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction in March 2020. She also holds a S.T.E.A.M. educator certification through the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA). As the I AM H.E.R. International "Teacher of the Year" and the recipient of the "S.T.E.A.M. Award", she has shown much passion towards helping students to grow educationally through implementation of multidisciplinary approaches such as S.T.E.A.M. and the integration of art across the curriculum. Today, art and technology integrated lessons are present in her class along with students who are excited about learning. Additionally, she has won over $4,700 for her classroom and school through writing educational grants and for her participation in an incentive-based wellness initiative sponsored by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Boeing Center for Children's Wellness.
Students have created digital artwork through use of personal laptops and chrome books. Students also completed art lessons that integrated science, technology, elements of engineering and mathematics.
Examples of how this was achieved:
1. Students collaborated in groups to design the tallest structure that can withstand a wind tunnel (fan).
2. Students pointed out which subjects they would need in their dream career as an adult and drew their ideas in a light bulb.
3. Students used art and technology on digital devices to create maps, propaganda, advertisement, webpage designs, menus, logos, and other materials used in real world scenarios.
4. Students use art and technology to depict step by step diagrams and constellations.
5. Students used art and technology to create digital vision boards.
6. Students used art and technology in combination with using literacy skills.
7. Students used art and technology to depict historical content.
8. Students used art and technology to advocate essential and critical causes such as youth vaping and litter prevention.
