Well the school year is officially over. There were many successes, and there were many challenges. What a busy and joyful year. The art room is all packed up and ready for deep summer cleaning. I can't help but get excited for next year's fresh start, but I am glad to have a break. This summer I can't wait to work on some plans for the upcoming school year, along with opening a new chapter in my painting career. We teachers are so lucky - what other job gives you time to reflect, rest, and prepare for the new term?! I am planning on using my time wisely...
This summer I will use this blog to share my ideas, concerns, questions, reflections, and plans for the upcoming school year in our beloved art room. Briargrove received a grant that allowed us to buy a things like a printing press, a clay slab roller and extruder, a large paper and mat cutter, digital cameras, and, my personal favorite (I"m SO excited!!!) large steel flat files - enough for every class to have their own drawer!!! Can't wait to get working on ideas for using these new additions to my classroom!
Also, next year (which will be my fourth year as an official art teacher) I will be taking on two student teachers. They will each take a half of the fall semester. I'm excited about the opportunity to mentor, and also a little nervous to relinquish some control of my classroom and students. But all in all, I think it's going to be a great experience, and I'm looking forward to it.
*
I would also like to ask for your ideas about a few things this summer. Starting with the question posed in my next post (see above!) Looking forward to your input... Hope everyone has LOVELY summer!
11 years ago
5 comments:
I'm looking forward to the summer, too! I have 2 days left (both are half days). Good luck with the student teachers. I had some people come in and teach lessons for a week from a program called Art Goes to School and it made me realize how hard it would be to have a student teacher, haha....just giving up control and hearing them say things wrong and cringing a bit. But, you can also make them into art teachers who are great, which is super cool too. Good luck! It will be my 3rd full year next year.
Oooooh, where did you get that grant??? jan
Every school in my district(Houston ISD) was awarded money for their fine arts programs this year; the number awarded was based on the ammount of students. The music teacher and I - being the only fine arts teachers at our school - got to split about $40,000!, which could only be spent on equipment (not supplies like paper or pastels). We both have a very exciting year ahead of us getting to use this new equipment!
P.S. Jan and Katie, I hope you both have great summers, too!
Thanks for the comment on my blog Katie. I've been checking out all your great ideas on your blog to help me inspire my students. I teach art at a small school in Western Australia so we are almost half way through our school year here. Have a lovely break!
Katie, student teachers can be wonderful (after all, that's how we got Erin on our team!). Just don't be afraid to let them be creative, get new ideas from them, but also be willing to let them know when they make mistakes that you can help them fix. That's why you're there! The student teachers are VERY lucky to be in your classroom!
Post a Comment