Today I received a note from a darling 1st grader. The note reads:
My faveret coler is blue and green. I lik your shirt. have a nice day!
The note is complete with a bright and cheery flower and smiley face.
It may not seem like much, however I was only in this student's classroom for about an hour to assist with an English and writing lesson.
I love teaching. I always have. In a former career-life, I was a corporate trainer. I loved it. I educated adults in customer service techniques. Now I mostly teach 6 to 12 year olds how to count coins and identify igneous rocks.
At times I truly wondered if I had any impact on a child's life being a substitute teacher. Then I receive a thoughtful note or picture from a student. It's during these moments I know that I've touched their lives just as much as they have touched mine.
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Splitting my TIME
According to a survey conducted in 2009 by LINC, 66% of artists hold at least one additional job outside of their creative business. I fit into this statistic.
I typically work at my studio 3 to 4 days a week. The other days I am a Substitute Teacher. I spend my non-studio days in elementary schools and high schools, teaching what ever subject is needed for that day. Some days I am really out of my element, like when I taught a sewing class (I've never sewn anything in my life!). But other days I get to teach children about creative writing, 80s pop culture, or why the movie Titanic isn't exactly 100% historically accurate.
There are also days when the children teach me something. Often, in the younger grades I am reminded how dreadfully important fairness is or how quickly a friend can become an enemy then a friend again, all within the same hour. In the higher grades I am reminded of how important it is to express yourself and to be heard, understood, accepted or acknowledged.
These kids inspire me. They bring me back to the innocence and wonderment of childhood.
While writing this post, I find myself reflecting on the plethora of special moments I've experienced in the classroom. These moments have sparked me develop a new jewelry line based on the purity and wonderment of childhood. More to follow......
I typically work at my studio 3 to 4 days a week. The other days I am a Substitute Teacher. I spend my non-studio days in elementary schools and high schools, teaching what ever subject is needed for that day. Some days I am really out of my element, like when I taught a sewing class (I've never sewn anything in my life!). But other days I get to teach children about creative writing, 80s pop culture, or why the movie Titanic isn't exactly 100% historically accurate.
There are also days when the children teach me something. Often, in the younger grades I am reminded how dreadfully important fairness is or how quickly a friend can become an enemy then a friend again, all within the same hour. In the higher grades I am reminded of how important it is to express yourself and to be heard, understood, accepted or acknowledged.
These kids inspire me. They bring me back to the innocence and wonderment of childhood.
While writing this post, I find myself reflecting on the plethora of special moments I've experienced in the classroom. These moments have sparked me develop a new jewelry line based on the purity and wonderment of childhood. More to follow......
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