Being a teacher means I am educating students. I help students learn art techniques, art theories, ways of seeing the world and I help them learn to have a deeper appreciation of things outside their norm. Being a teacher means one more thing, being a learner- a life-long learner. I am daily surprised by my students’ ability to create new textures and looks in their art. Just the other day a student had created a neat look with their art and I got to ask my student how she created such a look with her paint. She was thrilled to show me the technique she had tried. I am constantly learning from my students just as I am constantly teaching them. However, when it comes to teaching, I take my professional development seriously. I do three major things that help me to be a better teacher. I observe other teachers, I read, and I take classes (or seminars).
I made a habit out of observing fellow teachers on the campus I work at because I know the value of learning from others’ successes and mistakes. When I observe others, I am able to beg, borrow, steal and give credit to class procedures, policies, phrases, systems, and even demeanors. I am constantly becoming a better teacher when I watch other teachers who have been in this field for 10, 20, 30 plus years. For example, I once watched an English teacher who had all the students sitting quietly in their seats at the start of class, but whose kind demeanor was so present that her students not only seemed to respect her, but also genuinely enjoyed her class. There was laughter and diligence, smiles and thinking. Watching teachers like this truly inform my own teaching, regardless of the subject matter being taught. One example of a policy I "stole" from another teacher was a simple way to manage student work. A fellow art educator kept all her students work in folders in the back of the class, organized by table group. This ingenious idea saves me time finding their work and puts the responsibility on the student to put their work in their folder and to place their folder in stack on their own.
I made a habit out of observing fellow teachers on the campus I work at because I know the value of learning from others’ successes and mistakes. When I observe others, I am able to beg, borrow, steal and give credit to class procedures, policies, phrases, systems, and even demeanors. I am constantly becoming a better teacher when I watch other teachers who have been in this field for 10, 20, 30 plus years. For example, I once watched an English teacher who had all the students sitting quietly in their seats at the start of class, but whose kind demeanor was so present that her students not only seemed to respect her, but also genuinely enjoyed her class. There was laughter and diligence, smiles and thinking. Watching teachers like this truly inform my own teaching, regardless of the subject matter being taught. One example of a policy I "stole" from another teacher was a simple way to manage student work. A fellow art educator kept all her students work in folders in the back of the class, organized by table group. This ingenious idea saves me time finding their work and puts the responsibility on the student to put their work in their folder and to place their folder in stack on their own.
In addition to observing my colleagues, I also collaborate with my faculty and department weekly. I love finding creative ways to make art meet the science class or the English class. By collaborating with other teachers, I can make art relevant for the students and they can use their creative expression to aid in their poetry unit or even in their graphing unit. Collaboration doesn't only benefit my own lessons, but also my students.
Another way I keep learning is by reading articles and books. The Internet holds a free encyclopedia to good teaching strategies, ideas, techniques, and methods and it’s called “Google.” I have looked up countless articles on specific issues I have in my classroom and found amazing research-proven strategies that work. Below is an article about technology in the classroom that has helped inform my view of cellphone usage in the classroom. I have also read books like Teach Like A Champion by Doug Lemov, which highlight about one hundred teaching strategies like do nows, stretch it (asking follow-up questions), cold call, and so many more. Many of the teaching techniques I use have come fro this book. I trust research-proven teaching methods to bolster and mold how I teach my students. However, I don’t just try these out on my own, I learn about them by reading about them! I am always looking for new ways to teach art. How can I improve my teaching if I am not learning?
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Lastly, I take classes myself. I am not only a teacher, but a student. I sign up for days at Art Museums or summer courses through local communities colleges. I spent a day at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art once learning how to integrate the Common Core into my art classes. I spent the whole day in the museum with other art educators learning about how to integrate writing and reading into the studio. I not only listened to lecture, but also participated as a student myself. I learned so much from the “teachers” and also my fellow peers. Taking professional learning days to be better at my vocation is of upmost importance. It also shows my students that I am a life-long learner. I come back from these days and share with my students the new things I’ve learned. One student asked me why I like going to seminars for teachers. I got to share my love of learning to that student and to the class! I am a living example for my students of what it looks like to enjoy learning and what it looks like to be passionate about teaching! Below is an example of a assignment I had to complete during my time at the SBMA.
Being a teacher is a joy. I get to watch young adults learn and be amazed. I get to see step by step how my students learn to create, think, see the world, and watch them grow into mature artists. Furthermore, being a teacher is a joy because I get to participate in life-long learning. I share this learning with my students by telling my classes when I have learned something new. My passion and joy regarding learning is a way for my students to see my love of learning.
Being a teacher is a joy. I get to watch young adults learn and be amazed. I get to see step by step how my students learn to create, think, see the world, and watch them grow into mature artists. Furthermore, being a teacher is a joy because I get to participate in life-long learning. I share this learning with my students by telling my classes when I have learned something new. My passion and joy regarding learning is a way for my students to see my love of learning.