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A Working Classroom Teacher?
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Kevin Bibo
Kevin Bibo teaches high school computer multimedia in Southern California. He holds a Master of Education degree and is currently a teacher credential program instructor. In addition, Kevin is the author of Cal Teacher Blog. But most importantly Kevin loves spending time with his wife and five children.
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Kevin Bibo
If you are new to teaching and still discovering the profession then I want to encourage you to keep working at discovering and learning everything you can about the teaching process and experience. Hard to do if you are not yet into a full-time teaching assignment, but not impossible. If you are not on contract then I suggest substitute teaching. I discovered more while substitute teaching then I could have ever learned in any teacher education class or from any book or website. The work of becoming a teacher and earning the certification is complex and time consuming. Young teachers are being asked to do more and more before they are eligible to solo teach. I believe that this vetting process is a good one as it achieves two goals: first it weeds out the pretenders, and second it gives young teachers more time to evolve and grow into master teachers.
If you are a veteran teacher and you consider yourself a master then I want to encourage you to keep working on your craft and to keep discovering new and better ways to have a positive impact on your students. In a way the new teachers have an advantage over us veterans. The new teachers enter the classroom prepared with the most relevant research, methodology and pedagogy proven to work for kids. True, most of the research was completed by the older guard, but its always good to get a fresh perspective from the youngsters. Writing opportunities like this are one way veterans can both share their experience and work out their issues with a transparency that all teachers can benefit from. That is why I write and will continue to discover as a working classroom teacher.
dmarussell
about 1 year ago
10 comments
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
Marthalany
about 1 year ago
2 comments
Thanks for the interesting and informative article. It is very encouraging (and at the same time daunting) to hear that teaching is a perpetual challenge, pushing us to grow and learn.
Thurmond
about 1 year ago
506 comments
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.
sanjoe
about 1 year ago
5920 comments
Super article, and I hope you give some good threads to the art teachers/professors group to chew on . We need all art teachers and you would be a good one who has been at it for a time to help and discuss things of interest to the newbies who step into an art room for the first time ,or think artists who think about a career change.
petrehn
about 1 year ago
2 comments
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
jbarsons
about 1 year ago
4 comments
I really enjoyed this article. I just completed my first year teaching elementary art. It was challenging (but whats not) and I loved it. I am always looking for veteran teachers to learn from and take away bits of knowledge that will help me grow as a teacher. And I completely agree with the admin's observing for 5-10 mins and judging you! Well, again, it was a great article that I really enjoyed reading.
svetlana741
about 1 year ago
726 comments
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.