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.
I absolutely love the using phrase, "Talk the talk, and walk the walk." People can talk all they want, but not everyone can actually do what they are talking about. I think your teacher was somewhat right in acting confident, but I think as a teacher it's important not to give your students false information. If you really don't know, don't teach it until you learn about it, or learn with them!
ReplyDeleteGotta agree with you on the practice, practice, practice element of an artist continuing to work. I've always felt that artistic ability is like a muscle. If you work it out it will get bigger and stronger, more dexterous and dependable. If you walk away from it that muscle will atrophy and wither until its weaker than before you started.
ReplyDeleteI am a big believer in the phrase " confidence is key", your post pulled me right in. Of course like you said, knowledge of the content is crucial. However, it could be said though that certain people who have the knowledge may lack confidence in themselves to teach. Confidence will make students grow to trust you and enjoy your skills and overall presence in the classroom. I have a feeling that your ceramics teacher was pretty confident with his teaching and technique! Man,I would love to see someone center clay with one hand, sounds utterly amazin'!
ReplyDeleteThe title of my most recent blog posting is, "It Takes A Lot of Practice." I sense a commonality in your posting. When you mentioned you asked your high school wheel teacher how long it took him to learn how to center clay with one hand, I definitely understood. This reference outlines the importance of practicing art making along with our students. The phrase, "if you don't use it, you'll lose it" is also very applicable to why teachers should continue to make art. Art teachers need to be proficient and motivate their students to be the same.
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