I think I'm going to use this blog as a sort of professional diary, adding new thoughts about my profession as they occur to me. Yesterday, I was attending a district meeting of my colleagues during which some of them were recognized for special achievements and exemplary teaching. I felt the usual twinge of jealousy toward those individuals and their achievements, but I was also inspired by their example--this got me to thinking about what they're doing that works so well. I'm sure what follows is, in no way, a complete formula for success; I simply offer the next few statements as observations:
(1) Successful art teachers learn from the successful endeavors of their colleagues; they cull ideas from each other.
(2) Some of the most successful art teachers are those who believe that they should provide as many opportunities as possible for their students to show their work and be recognized for their achievements.
(3) Many successful art teachers enliven their classroom experience by learning, and then teaching, the use of the widest possible variety of mediums available to them.
(4) A successful art teacher is sometimes willing to spend out of her own pocket in order to provide special materials beyond the limits of her budget and supplies available within her district.
Just some thoughts, none of which are new or profound. I just want to put these observations down in a form where I can think about them more formally.
Mr. Mike, Balding Art Teacher, in action!
