Last weekend I attended the Kansas Art Education Association Fall Conference in McPherson. I so look forward to the conference every year and it always seems to have good timing, right when I need to recharge, get some new ideas, and reconnect with my art friends!This year I presented 2 workshops on my own and was part of a panel for new teachers.
The first workshop I presented was on tactile paintings inspired by Andy Lakey.
The second was on layered monoprints with gelli plates.
I took some awesome workshops as well, including one about different ceramic surface techniques and one on black and white dry brush painting.
The panel I was a part of was "Help, I'm a New Teacher!" We had a good group of first year teachers and pre-service art educators. We started off by listing 5 things we wish we knew as new teachers or have learned since. Here are my 5.
- You don't have to fit one label/pedagogy. Listen, learn, and pull what works best for you, your students, and your school.
- Find a way to advocate and advertise your program, whether it's through social media (like my school instagram), Artsonia, your district newsletter, or local newspaper. Focus on the students- it's easier to brag on them than on yourself.
- Not everyone is going to like you all the time, even if you haven't done anything wrong. You are not pizza, you can't make everyone happy.
- Don't be afraid to ask for things. Be prepared, state your reasons, and do you best. If they say no, at least you tried.
- It's ok to change your plans if something isn't working!
What would be on your list of things you've learned?
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