In the beginning, I went into the program not knowing much about art education and what it entailed. Did I have some ideas? Of course. But those ideas have changed drastically since I jumped both feet first into this realm of education. I have learned so much, from learning the standards of teaching to knowing how to successfully manage a classroom, and far more in between. I can confidently say that everything I have learned has prepared me for this time in my life; a time in which I begin to observe and teach at a high school for my next practicum (an entirely new ball game for me!), and as I prepare for the next year to come, when I will be student teaching. I feel that I have a far better grasp on the art education system than I ever have before, and I am beginning to feel more comfortable with it as the time progresses. I have grown to love art education more than ever, and my appreciation for it has grown stronger as well.
As I reflect on how far I have come since the beginning of my journey, I also question where I want to be after this semester comes to a close. I know for sure that, upon exiting this semester, I would like to become much more knowledgeable of art processes and teaching it, especially considering that I have not had to deal with high school students at this time. While I have had experience in teaching and demonstrating art to elementary students, as well as some middle school students, high school is something I have not yet been exposed to. Having barely taken any art classes myself in high school, I have little knowledge regarding how to handle a high school classroom as an art teacher. I am sure that I will come to catch on quickly, but there is some nervousness, I must admit, especially when I think about the fact that I am not necessarily the greatest artist (particularly with 2-D art forms). However, while I know this about myself, I know that unless I wield this art form with confidence, the high school students will walk all over me. This has also brought me to the realization that I need to further my skills in these areas, or rather, it motivates me to do so, because I want to teach with confidence and proper knowledge.
While I am nervous about starting this new part of my journey, I am excited to be able to take all of my prior knowledge of teaching art and apply it to a completely different age group. It will be challenging, but I'm excited to face the challenge. It will also allow me to really reflect on how effectively I can teach higher grade levels, which I believe is crucial to my growth as a future art educator. While I am nervous about arranging a lesson for a teenage age group, I am also excited to see what they think and hopefully really get them to engage in the lesson.
 |
| Best attributes of an art teacher...one I hope to be. |
No comments:
Post a Comment