Who's the one being taught?

This past week is my last full week with my students and this has to be one of the hardest times of the year for me, how so? I've gotten to know my students their affinities and weakness within my room and outside of it, regardless if I see a high schooler everyday or a middle schooler only once a week I can tell where they are at mentally depending on how they apply themselves to their work. I've had several say, "how can you tell?" I tell them its easy, "your body language is telling me." Then there are their faces and those personal "ah-ah moments" they have as they problem-solve their project producing a piece of art they are very proud of. I enjoyed watching several of my students look through their portfolio folders and the artwork within it. This is my first year at this Eton Academy and I am very happy with the successes I've had and the tremendous amount of personal learning I've done about myself. My lessons, how I deliver them, what my students get out of them, what skills did they learn, and the list goes on. If you know me you know how much passion I have for my craft, not just making it but sharing it. Yes, teaching for me isn't just teaching but, sharing my love for the arts. A major part of my art journaling this summer will be the discovery process that I personally go through both in the classroom and my life. So, as I sit beside the pool this summer, I can not wait to plan for next year and all of the projects I get to take my students through.

One Portfolio at a time

The end of the year is coming so fast and it feels like I won't get everything done I need to. But, isn't amazing how we work when our backs are against the wall. Well, I know me and it will be all finished soon. Yesterday was a PD day after a morning of paperwork I spent the afternoon prepping artwork to go home next week. I figure since we have Parent/Teacher Conferences what a good time to get all of my students home work and most of all safe! All of their fat artwork is in their portfolios and ceramic work for the younger students is in lunch bags stapled shut with their names on the bag. I will begin delivering all of the artwork to their homerooms on Wednesday and all the teacher has to do is hand it out Wed-Fri. Throughout the late afternoon I kept seeing teachers walk out of the building and I'm thinking "how are they getting all of their work done?" The best part was looking at an accumulation of a years work and how each student has developed. I have to admit at times it brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart to see their successes. Even with their disabilities I ask a lot of my students i.e. focus, attention, follow through and most of all completion of the assignment. At their age moving on to something else is so easy but I won't let them. They are amazing and I love working with them. 


Follow your dreams and do what you love in life and what you have to do and in the end I know you'll make a difference in someones life! And, always allow the creative spirit to run freely through blood!

Baby Steps

Working with my kids in the class room has been exhausting this year but yet fulfilling. I have learned many things about them and myself during my first year at Eton Academy. What an amazing experience working with kids who are just like me. I can only imagine what I was like at there age. Lack of focus, wondering and random thoughts, off the wall questions right during the teachers demonstration and the list goes on. But, I wouldn't change anything for the experiences I've had this year. I think the hardest part of this year has been "the unknown." New environment, new colleagues, new ways of conducting business, in general my ability to adapt quickly to situations and environments has been a great asset to me. One thing I hope to learn how to do better is saying "no" once in a while. Saying "yes" to things has backed me into a corner more than once this year and at times raising my anxiety/stress to places that they don't need to be. Bu, I dealt with everything just fine, worked through it and got the job done. The best thing about this summer is I know what I need to do to prepare to be more successful in many areas of the classroom. Though one of my biggest challenges will be "balance," that balance between work and home life. Something that must take a precedence in my life.

For now though, I'm going through artwork for the year end art show, cleaning up the classroom (organizing, grading, filing, etc...) trying to set myself up for a successful last few weeks. The one thing I have to remember more than anything is "Baby Steps," even though my A.D.D. attitude wants things done right now-its all about the Baby Steps that will help me build a successful program that will enrich my students for many years to come.

Moments

During this past month I have been so busy getting ready for our schools upcoming Gala Auction. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for a school that does not except State or Federal money. As the schools Visual Arts Teacher it is role to interpret the work done by one of Leo Burnett's designers. Through the provided 2D graphic design images provided to me and the tag line "Discovery of Learning," I had all levels of my students gain the understanding of the collaborative process to produce some awesome pieces of art. In years past prior to me getting there the art teachers would have the students make art with their classroom time and then "donate" it for the auction. This year I made sure things were different, first: my students will always keep their own work and take it home. I don't think it is fair to take a child's piece of work and ask them to "donate" it to help out the school. This year all the artwork was made in addition to their regular curriculum. Through the help of many people this year the students watch rusted items come to life. The vision of the tagline and how it can be transformed into functional art items that for the first time in 25 years several of the pieces will be part of the live auction. What I've loved to watch were the frustrations and positives as they went through the entire process, at different moments students felt fell short or they stood proud. But, together as a group we worked out every detailed and yes their input was just as important as mine. Its my job as a Visual Arts Teacher and Artist to show them the craft of art and allow them to go through the exploration stages. And boy, I love watching them go through it. Helping them to create dialogue about art was just as important as the physical product. I feel a group of my Middle School students recently got a better appreciation for that concept. Both the designer and a videographer from Leo Burnett came to the school to document all of the art and at the same time I gave a demo to the students how I see when I build a sculpture. As a group we looked at the artwork created for the Gala, their art most recently created and how to transform a 2D visual reference image into 3D sculpture. Many questions from them lead to awesome moments that were recorded by Leo Burnett. I can't wait to see the video. I am very excited about the tomorrow. I finish the glazing process on 18 Effigy Pots and should have them in the kiln late tomorrow. So, either this Saturday or Sunday I will photograph everything for my portfolio. Of course I will post them. But, until then allow the creative spirit to run freely through every part of your body and mind!

Keeping it Fresh

I love working with my students but I have found "Keeping it Fresh" is very important to not only myself but them to. The difference in disabilities that my students have varies and is wide spread. For example like the image to left. How about a twist on upcoming Valentines Day and instead of hearts how about Love Monsters. This is my version of Dr. Love inspired by the dailymonster.com. One of my goals as a teacher is to continuously get my students to ask "what if." Like my students I had to learn how to work thorough my disabilities and become the person I am today. When I was a kid I was told I was just hyper-active now go outside and play. Today they are ADD/ADHD and who knows what the next one will be called. But, for me its how we teach them to work through it and embrace life for everything it has to offer. So, I continue to look for ways to throw a twist on a holiday, idea, theme, etc... Please if you have an idea on how to twist this and make it even more fun for my students let me know and I'll try it with them. Continue to let the creative spirit run freely through every part of your life.