The feedback from workshop participants and students serves as powerful evidence of the impact of Dr Christine Healey’s consultancy services. Educators who have engaged in Christine’s Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) workshops often highlight the transformative nature of the experience, noting how it has enriched their teaching practices and enhanced student engagement with art.
Participants frequently commend Christine for her engaging facilitation style, which fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. One educator remarked;
“Christine’s VTS workshop opened my eyes to the power of discussion in the classroom. My students are now more confident in expressing their interpretations and are actively engaging with the artworks we study.”
For another educator;
“I have always wondered if there was a more powerful and thoughtful way to facilitate discussions with kids that visit the gallery. This has blown my mind. So much to think about and so many opportunities to talk about art without talking AT the kids.”
Another testimonial from a museum educator emphasised the lasting impact of the training;
“The strategies I learned from Christine have changed the way I approach our exhibitions. I now feel equipped to create more interactive and engaging experiences for our visitors, making art accessible to everyone.”
Another educator noted;
“I’ve always wondered if there was a more thoughtful way to facilitate discussions with students about art. Christine’s VTS workshop was a revelation—it completely changed the way I think about teaching.”
Students also benefit significantly from the VTS methodology. Many have expressed how the approach encourages them to think critically about art and to articulate their thoughts more clearly.
A tertiary student stated;
“I used to feel intimidated by art, but now I can see the stories behind the pieces and share my perspective without hesitation. VTS has made art feel personal and relatable.”
A letter from a classroom teacher;
I participated in a VTS PD you ran earlier in the year.
I am emailing to share some information about my journey with VTS with my year 9 art class. I have been working on my VIT registration and was looking at whether the implementation of VTS will improve students’ art analysis responses.
The class I was working with had very low engagement and they would not participate much in class discussions before VTS. I had a VTS discussion with them once a week for 6 weeks.
The first session I only had two students voluntarily respond to the questions and I had to call on most of them to respond. Their responses were quite basic at the start such as ‘I see a bag’, ‘I see a bottle’. However, towards the end of that session I could see their thoughts becoming a bit more complex – they were beginning to notice body language and examining relationships between the subjects.
By the last two sessions, I had every single person in the class willingly participated and share their thoughts about the artwork. More than four people had their hands up for each time I asked ‘What more can we find?’ which was fantastic to see. Their thoughts and ideas became more complex and students provided justification for their responses without being asked. They were looking at gender stereotypes, art history and the art elements and principles without being prompted.
Staff members that came in and observed my classes were very impressed and provided great and positive feedback about what they saw in the class.
I have fallen in love with VTS since the PD I did with you, I am loving the immediate growth I see in my students and it is something that I am planning on implementing for most of my classes in the future.
These testimonials not only reflect the value of Christine’s services but also underscore the positive outcomes associated with VTS implementation in educational settings. The social proof provided by these endorsements serves as a compelling motivator for potential clients considering Christine’s consultancy. By showcasing the voices of past participants, Christine illustrates the tangible benefits of her workshops and training sessions, helping prospective clients recognise the potential for transformative learning experiences within their institutions.
Dr Christine Healey 