Carolyn Albracht is an associate professor in the Art and Design Department at Wayne State College. A native Nebraskan, she earned a B.A. degree in studio art and psychology in 1999, an M.A. degree in museum studies in 2003, and a Ph.D. in education studies in 2016.
Her research interests include art integration and place-based education. Her artistic practice involves an interest in intuitive markmaking and exploring pattern, texture, line, form, and color in mixed media watercolor.
She is a member of the Alternative Education Resource Organization and has presented at their annual conference. She is also a member of American Education Research Association, as well as the Nebraska Art Teachers Association/National Art Education Association. She was awarded the NATA organization's Higher Education Art Educator of the Year award in 2016, and served as the 2014 chair at NATA/NAEA's fall conference.
Education
Ph.D., Education Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.A., Museum Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
B.A., Studio Art and Psychology, University of Nebraska-Kearney
Academic Interests
Albracht's academic interests include art integration, particularly the experiences of preservice elementary teachers, and place-based education.
Teaching Philosophy
Experience has taught me that learning happens when sufficient interest is created in the learner; therefore, I believe it is the educator's role to facilitate sufficient interest in the topic or course of study at hand. While there are many ways to do this, I believe that educators must provide and create opportunities for learners to interact with the material and ideas to be learned. Learners need opportunities to engage with and see the relevancy of what they are being asked to learn. My emphasis on relevancy has led me to increase my knowledge and understanding of place-based education, and to incorporate it into the courses I teach.
