How long have you been an art teacher?
I’ve been an art teacher for I think this is my 12th year here. I studied at a college and I did my student teaching I was ready to study art and be a teacher. But then I decided I didn’t want to teach right out of college so I went into another area.
While you were an art teacher, have you experienced budget cuts where you have had to restrict how many materials you buy and things like that?
Somewhat, but not significant at all. But what’s to come is a different story, because I think next year is going to be a tougher year especially having built the new school and I expect it to get worse.
With smaller classes, such as portfolio, do you find it’s easier to teach them, as opposed to the middle school classes which are really big?
You know, its all about giving individual attention and I usually don’t give a lesson where everyone does the same thing. I like them to go in different directions. When you have individual attention, you can work with each one and guide them in that direction. And you definitely can’t do that with a large class, so you teach differently with large classes. And I think ultimately the kids definitely miss out the larger the class.
In terms of imagination, do each of the students have the same amount, even if they don’t apply it to their art?
I don’t think so. Who can measure imagination? But some people go a little deeper. A think a lot of it is some people are afraid to put something down on paper. They want it to be their best and they don’t take risks and they expect it just to be a finished piece. I think if there’s more risk taking and they put whatever’s in their mind better things come out of it and they see more. But its just interesting to see the different personalities of the kids and their styles. You know, it obviously has to do with their style in everything they do; the way they dressed....all the things they do. You saw what just happened with the other student. That little line was bothering her and she wanted things to be real and perfect. Then you got someone else where the more little mistakes the better, it just adds to the picture.
Do you ever find that the school puts the needs of the art department behind the needs of the other departments?
For the most part their pretty supportive of the arts and I think people like the arts. But yeah...I think the fact that specialists don’t have more than one prep or in some cases don’t have any preps in a day. That doesn’t happen with the academic classes. And I don’t think that’s equal.
If you had unlimited resources, like an unlimited amount of money, what would you do to improve the art department.
I think I’d do more public sculpture or big construction things that we could have outside...or even inside. Sculpture would be a fun thing to do. With drawing we’re all set...with painting I’d have great canvases and better quality paints...but we could experiment more with glass, jewelry...other areas too.
Do you have a favorite class or age you like to teach?
I enjoy them all. I really do. And a lot has to do with the chemistry of the kids and how the kids work together. I don’t think I do. At first I gear myself to high school because I like helping them lead their way to their interests, whether its into college or just a different level. But there something about the middle school. There’s a big difference between seventh and eighth grade. Seventh grade they’re freer and they let go and theres an innocence and I love working with them. With the eight grade they’re a little more self conscience. Big difference. They want everything to be right. They’re more demanding in that way. But then you start all of a sudden seeing all this great stuff emerging; they’re discovering more. So, as crazy as they can be, because you’ve witnessed middle school classes with me, and they’re huge! Very big classes, bigger than we’ve ever had...but they’re great. I like them.
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