The Dusty Art Room

Sometimes, it's hard to let go... Sometimes, it's hard to ignore... Sometimes, it's hard to not help...  Sometimes, it's the most wonderful part of my job... Students are full of ideas, capable of amazing feats & master's of skills I never knew existed! Sometimes, students don't know where to start, where they are going, or how they are going to get there... Sometimes, I want to show them the starting line, lead them along the path & guide them to the finish line...  BUT, students are full of ideas, capable of amazing feats & master's of skills I never knew existed! So, I try hard to let go... I try hard to ignore... I try hard not to help... I try hard to enjoy the most wonderful part of my job... And watch my students CREATE!   I gave my 7th graders their first big challenge of the year: Take a piece of canvas and use these paints to "stain" the cloth...

One of my favorite parts of being an art teacher is watching students learn and grow through the process of creating! As art teachers, we are blessed to walk the road with students from idea to completion.  We are privileged enough to get the inside scoop without needing the backstage pass.   I am constantly reminding students that I'm more interested in their journey than the end product.  Sometimes it's funny discussing with colleagues about my "favorite" pieces - I'm almost never drawn to the same project in a display as they are.  I'm interested in the students who "failed" by traditional definitions, but kept working through the process and persevered to the end.  Those students whose faces light up when they figure out a new idea, concept, or technique.  I like the walk better than the destination.