I Knew I Wanted To Be a Teacher When...

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when… Mr. Boulware sat me down. He asked me what I was going to study in college. I explained to him that I wished to follow in my father’s footsteps by studying finance. I had already started my journey by taking AP Economics and applied to business schools across the country. Billy the Badass Bezel-setter (my nickname for Mr. Boulware) was in complete shock. He joked about how he did not know that I was smart blah, blah, blah, and then he told me that he thought I would make a great art teacher. Being a teacher had always been in the back of my mind, so when he told me this it was like a light bulb went off in my head. Here was the man that inspired me to make art telling me that he personally thought I would be a good art teacher. I was sold. At that point in time I already hated, with a passion, my AP Economics class, so why I want to study that type of material for the rest of my life? When I could be doing something I loved. It was at that point that my career path changed from being determined to make massive amounts of money, to following my passion. 

The many faces of Sheamus.

So, this was my first experience making artist trading cards and I have to say I liked it a lot. It was quick, easy, fun, and stress free. I thought we had to be finished at the end of class, so I did something that was simple, yet personal. My puppy :) Well, he really isn't a puppy anymore, but I still call him that. Enjoy!

Why should I still be making art?

Many teachers have told me that the key to teaching is being confident. Even if you have no idea what you are talking about, say it with confidence and the students will trust and respect you (The fact that I had a college professor tell me this the other day is a little nerve racking, but that is beside the point). Well, when one is an art teacher is it a little harder then just saying something with confidence. You have to be able to talk the talk and walk the walk. Meaning, when you are teaching the students a lesson, you typically have to give a demonstration. If that demo doesn’t go well the students are going to see right throw your b.s. How can you except the student to do something if you cant even do it?

That is why when one is an art teacher it is very important for them to keep making art, to practice and perfect ones skill. I feel that as an artist, the more comfortable you feel in your own skills, the easier it will be for you to teach those skills in a classroom setting. I remember my high school wheel-throwing teacher going around the room helping students center their clay with one hand. ONE HAND! I was in awe. I would ask him how long it took him to learn that. His reply would be “26 years” (so some number along those lines).  My point being, he didn’t learn how to center with one hand magically over night, and just pull it out when he needs it. He practiced and practiced every day. When he had free time he would be in the throwing room working on his own projects. It was nice to see that I was learning from someone who actually knew what he was talking about.

In the reading, “From Ordinary to Extraordinary”, Vieth talks about students seeing a teacher in “learning mode”. Vieth suggests to do this, the teacher should also be doing the assignments given to the students. Not only will this provide the students with an example, it will also prepare the teacher for any problems that can be developed during the project. Also, this will show the students that the teacher actually know what they are talking about.  During the reading it was also stated that, it is important for the students to have a personal connection to a project. To do this I feel that I will give student open-ended guidelines. For example, if they had a clay hand-building project I would state the height it needed to be and that it needed to reflect something about them. The students would be about to choose the hand building technique they wanted to use, and pretty much build whatever they were interested in. 

Final Metals Project

Here are a couple pictures of my final project I did in metals last year. It is a ring (actually three rings) with a lily.

Attending Oak Park and River Forest High School

I was very fortunate to attend a high school that had an excellent art program. Courses ranged from Jewelry/Metals, Graphic Design, Advanced Photography, Wheel Throwing to AP Portfolio. It was because of this wide range of studio art courses I was able to fall in love with art.  Attending this high school I could not have asked for anything better, but as a future art teacher I feel that OPRF’s art program will hinder my expectations.

The students in art courses in my high school were most likely there because they wanted to be there. There was only one required art course, which was Art Foundations.  Most students stopped exploring the program after that. The students in the more advanced courses were very hard working, and for the most part pretty damn good.  If you wanted to stand out in these classes you had to come in during your lunch period, study hall, maybe even miss a gym class or two, to make your project stand out. I was one of those people who would be in the Wheel Throwing room for three or four periods in a row not caring what class I was missing. It was my goal to be the best in the class.

It is because of the intensity of my high schools art program I feel the expectations I have are very far fetched.  I have never been exposed to a school with a barely-there art program. I except all schools I walk into to have a classroom strictly from wheel throwing, which I know is completely crazy, but it is all I know. I guess you can say I was spoiled. I would really like to student teach, or even just volunteer at a school were there is only one art teacher. I want to be exposed to a different kind of art program. Because, I know the idea I have about what a high school art programs is pretty hard to find.

I am excited to be working with children everyday, and exploring art with them.  I feel that when one becomes a teacher they find out who they really are. Kids have a way of pushing buttons that you never knew were there.  Your true colors will show. But, besides getting on your nerves kids can also make your day. Just by something they say. That is what I am most excited about. I just hope they don’t think I am too young.