ArtBistro

Some good advice! As an art teacher in public schools for 9 years, I cannot agree more about creating art alongside the students and keeping it fresh with new ideas. I purposely went to the middle school after 7 years of elementary-just to challenge myself. Boy oh boy, I did not realize the challenge it would be!! I loved it though, for 2 years, then sad to say they cut ART. Now I am really challenging myself for I am in the midst of schooling once again (I already hold a B.F.A./B.S. in art ed, and a Masters of Art ed) this time for special education (learning disabilities). I still create my own art and have created a mural painting project for the young at our local skatepark. I do hold on to hope that one day I will be teaching art in the classroom once again (I miss terribly) in the meantime (and future) I will use the knowledge of art and spec. ed. to further my teaching of any student.
By the way, the comment about administration walking in for 5 min. and leaving a report, it is totally the same thing for special ed. classrooms too. Donna Russell

I really enjoyed that it took me awhile to read because Im scared of the job I don't wanna teach. I just want to study and learn creatively. your story is great as my teachers are current and our school holds a workshop during the semester for art teachers in the public school system.

I have had many years working professionally as a artist/graphic designer, and am at present discouraged because I had found out that I needed several hours of Math & algebra, some sciences, biology, plus other prerequisites necessary before i could even get into an educational program, as I wanted to teach art. Well, I took a years worth of classes that I felt I could handle, I'm 55 years old now, and I have to take more math & physical science with a lab, which I had to drop last semester because I couldn't cut it, I am so discouraged, because I just wanted to teach, & all this prerequisite stuff is for the birds. I am wasting my time taking classes that have nothing to do with my skills & past experience. It is too much. Plus, I must make a living. I have spent so much of my own money this past year, and I feel I have not even gotten off the ground. I suppose I am just down right depresses about it. I thought that teaching art would be perfect for me, but not if I have to go through all of this. I got burnt out in the corporate industry of graphic design, because the pressures of deadline these past ten years had me running in circles, and it became less & less rewarding to me, working in a little cubicle, staring into a computer all day. What are your comments on this? Cindy

ax being a teacher is the hardest thing , i used to volunteer at this childrens place, didnt go so well. so i give thumbs up for those who try to teach and accomplish em.