I’m leading a workshop in two days for young art educators (good Lord this means I’m… old-ish) using artwork by Nigerian artist El Anatsui as a platform for investigating the “Self that teaches”, as well as the vital role they personally play in a larger learning community.
Bla bla bla… academic, schmacemdemic, insert big words here…
OK.
SO… for those who still read this blog (even after long unoccupied bouts of nothingness), I was inspired to ask YOU- the teachers whose wisdom has helped me during quite a few struggles- to consider reflecting on these questions:
“Why did you start/ still continue teaching?”
“What advice would you give your First-Year teacher self?”
Responses will be uploaded to a powerpoint that scrolls throughout the workshop. Your words will literally be utilized as an inspirational tool during our art making. This workshop is about building community among teachers. The blogosphere is overflowing with compassionate, wise, and incredibly talented teachers supporting one another. Please consider sharing your stories if for no other reason than you may potentially touch the life of a teacher you’ve never met.
Feel free to post answers in the comment bar, or email them to brazenteacher@gmail.com by noon on October 20th.
Love and Artsiness,
Brazen
I started teaching because I had signed a piece of paper saying I would…I left it with shattered visions and bad dreams and I returned to it 18 years later because wherever I went, whatever I did I always ended up teaching…and learning. It’s my thing.
Nothing else fills me with such curiosity or wonder – the mystery of how we learn is a beautifully coloured ball of interwoven strings composed of fluid light, rotating and refracting, reflecting and emitting sparks. Nothing else drives me so crazy, exhausts me so completely, or fulfils me so utterly.
And I LOVE working with adolescents and watching them engage with the world.
My advice to a new teacher would be- take care of yourself – your new job is one of the most emotionally demanding there is – ask for help, nurture yourself, find a mentor, rest up and laugh often. Reading this blog would be a good start…
Why did I start to teach?
Because I’ve had some really helpful and inspiring teachers as well as ones that have dulled or completely destroyed my interest in learning what they had to teach.
Why do I continue to teach?
Because I still want to be one of the inspiring ones.
“What advice would you give your First-Year teacher self?”
Good teaching is tact elevated to an art form.
I’m an artist. I was born an artist, and I will die an artist. I create things – paintings, sculptures, installations, family, relationships, connections.
I don’t believe you can “teach” art. You can only live it.
You can teach skill development, but only if you have acquired that skill.
Proficiency at that skill will then allow you to use that as a tool to be an artist.
But teach art? There is only one way – by doing, with intent and within context.
It’s really that simple.
Don’t talk about it.
Do it. Intend it. Be in it.
…or hire an artist to teach it.
I began to teach art because I had been surrounded by amazing teachers at school, but not great art teachers. I had a great art teacher at home and knew that I wanted to bring to future children the great love of learning that great teachers give, in the arts, where I saw it lacking in public schools.
I continue teaching because after 26 years I am still having a blast and thrive on the excitement I see each day in my students.
Advice I would give myself as a new teacher……Give yourself time to develop! It does take time to get good at class management and organization. Just be sure that you are having fun with the children!!!!
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These are great
I returned to teaching because I felt I could do the best by showing students an example of a Black man who’s working hard daily to make good decisions and choices. I’m not perfect, but I sure do my best daily. That’s all I ask from my class and all they should expect from themselves.