As an art teacher you are not always understood. You are creative and stand out in what you do, and the process of getting there is what makes you different. You can find inspiration from the most random things. Art is everywhere. You like inspiring music and you try your best to stay organized, which is hard with all your supplies. For all this, people tend to see you as being a little odd. Here are 10 things that only art teachers understand!
1. You see that art is underestimated
The school system teaches students to answer questions and memorize answers. Often times, art classes are viewed as less important and can be easily replaced. Art is an important part of life. It shows people how to express themselves and how to see more than just a question and an answer. Don’t let the negative view hold you down, look back at all the great work you have done and get ready to be even better.
2. You value creativity
It doesn’t matter to you where your students or even yourself get creativity from. The most important thing is that you can enjoy all that is needed to bring to life a creative piece of art. You use all the resources you can to stimulate the creative part of a person’s life and you love to see the beautiful result that comes from it. For example, you can organize a trip to the museum or hold an art exhibition with the pieces your students have made. It will be inspiring for you and your students!
3. You realize a new time has begun
The internet and other technology has opened new ways to be creative. The people with real talent and creativity have more possible ways than ever to share their art with others and more artists are being born every day. The opportunities are all around us and you simply have to reach out and express your creativity. You motivate your students to take those chances and use technology for their own future.
4. You teach innovation
You don’t simply want students to answer a question with one solution – you give them multiple ways to solve problems. You show them how to be creative and use that to find a way in life. You want them to experiment and learn from their mistakes. Life is not a one way street, it’s a lot of little roads, leading to multiple opportunities.
5. You enjoy simplicity
Art comes and goes. It can be created from any material. You enjoy using simple things to inspire others. No matter if it is a pen and paper, a chalkboard or paint, you love to create art and inspire your students. Take, for example, this art teacher in Wyoming. He uses his blackboard to inspire his students. He uses basic materials and makes them into art.
6. You get a higher status (than other teachers)
When you are an art teacher, your students see you as a special kind of teacher. Your students will be excited to come to your class. You can use this excitement to teach them things they never knew. You show them possibilities to grow as a person. You stimulate the part of the brain that they don’t get to use in any other class.
7. You need to stand up for your profession
Beyond your students, art teachers are often underestimated. This results in a little struggle here and there. You need to let your voice be heard now and then, to show them you are valuable too. You have to ask or state your opinion regularly. Do not be afraid to say “no” to things you don’t have time for. If you keep it professional, you will get through the harder things.
8. You have to develop a personal grading system
Art teachers cannot simply cross off the wrong answers. To grade a project, it completely depends on the individual and their potential. As you see more projects, you get to know each person and their strengths. This way, you develop a personal and unique grading system. No grading by rota for you!
9. You know different techniques
Teaching art is not a one-sided thing. You need to know many different techniques, use different materials and different points of view. You do not have a book that tells you what your students have to learn that lesson, but you have your own period of time for every project. The students will have to find out how to work with the different materials. It takes time and patience to teach them the different techniques, and for every student’s strengths and weaknesses, you’ll be learning right alongside them.
10. You can not always succeed
The busy life of an art teacher will not always go as planned. Sometimes things do not go the way you want to and you work towards finding peace with that. As long as you put in your best effort, it will be worth it. You can not let small failures bring you down.
Featured photo credit: weinstock via pixabay.com
