People always ask me why I want to be an art teacher. The answer is simple. Art teaches students that anything is possible. I had an art teacher in elementary school that said if our art looks like the person’s next to ours then we are doing it wrong. In a way she was telling us all to celebrate individuality and creativity. Art teaches us that everyone sees things differently and that it is okay to color outside of the lines. It is a language that everyone can speak – you can read a painting the same way you would read a book. Teaching is not about giving the answers. Learning begins with creating a problem and then figuring out how to solve it. It is my responsibility to make students think. It is what they do with the thought that makes it art.
Planning and Preparation
Inspiration leads to an idea, and without research, sketching, planning, trial and error, all you will have is an idea. The process of creating is just as important as the final outcome. This idea does not just apply to creating a work of art, but to creating the best learning experience for students.
Classroom Environment
I want my students to walk into the classroom and know that they are a part of a community where what they say and do is valued. Art is highly personal and it is important create an atmosphere in the classroom where students are safe to express their individuality.
Professional Responsibilities
Assessment
Assessment is a vital part of education. Through documentation and observation it is clear if a student is learning or not, every mark a student makes is evidence of a thought and a conscious decision. Assessment should be done using multiple tools at different stages of a lesson in order to document student growth. One type of assessment I strongly believe in is the use of a sketchbook in the classroom; it is easy to see a student’s original thought and how it became a final work of art. A common misconception about assessment is that it is a grade just for the student. Assessment is a tool for reflection of my teaching; if my students understand it then I did my job.
Planning and Preparation
Inspiration leads to an idea, and without research, sketching, planning, trial and error, all you will have is an idea. The process of creating is just as important as the final outcome. This idea does not just apply to creating a work of art, but to creating the best learning experience for students.
- Have a plan A, B, C, D… Plan for everything, but there will always be something you did not think of.
- Technology: make sure it works before the students get there. Have a plan in case it does not work.
- Plan for set up/clean up and transitions.
- Create a lesson that is relevant to the students and how you are going to make it exciting.
- Practice what you teach. You will not know how long it will take or what issues may occur unless you try it yourself.
- In your lesson, plan for what you are going to do and what the students are going to do and learn.
- Ask good thought provoking inquiry questions and be prepared to answer.
- Be flexible and adapt your lesson to what happens … you can never plan for the experiences that happen in the classroom.
- Students know when you’re not ready or prepared! This is when management issues occur.
- Prepare for grading: Have a good specific rubric!
Classroom Environment
I want my students to walk into the classroom and know that they are a part of a community where what they say and do is valued. Art is highly personal and it is important create an atmosphere in the classroom where students are safe to express their individuality.
- Build relationships. Both teacher to student and student to student.
- Respect, patience, and understanding
- Student collaboration in brainstorming and critiquing
- Set clear expectations: Be prepared everyday, both physically and mentally and think before you speak. Respect the studio and all people in it and do not apologize for being you.
- “Teach what you preach”- The expectations of the students also apply to the teacher.
- Have fun, be yourself and create!
Professional Responsibilities
- Everything you do and teach has a purpose
- Teach to multiple learning styles
- Not to give the answers, but the resources to find them on their own
- Be prepared and professional everyday
- It is okay to admit that I do not know everything
- Parent contact should not only be negative. Call just to let them know their child is doing great!
- Learn something new everyday
- Be yourself
- Know what you are teaching and WHO you are teaching it too.
Assessment
Assessment is a vital part of education. Through documentation and observation it is clear if a student is learning or not, every mark a student makes is evidence of a thought and a conscious decision. Assessment should be done using multiple tools at different stages of a lesson in order to document student growth. One type of assessment I strongly believe in is the use of a sketchbook in the classroom; it is easy to see a student’s original thought and how it became a final work of art. A common misconception about assessment is that it is a grade just for the student. Assessment is a tool for reflection of my teaching; if my students understand it then I did my job.