18 weeks and this art teacher is T.I.R.E.D!
I have had 8 pm nights grading mugs, I have had 5 am mornings rolling ceramic slabs for the day. There has been morning duty with sassy kindergartners and after school robotics club. Car duty is the most stressful 20ish minutes of any given day; and DO NOT even get me started on the craziness that is an elementary rotation schedule.
I have learned so much and come so far in these 18 weeks and I feel leagues more comfortable about being an independent art teacher next school year. I have come to learn that it is okay to embrace the semi-chaotic energy that is a productive art room. I know now that sometimes the Littles cry and sometimes the Bigs don’t want to talk about what is bothering them. These things are not unusual and they can happen often with no relation to what you are doing or teaching within the classroom. Accepting that and allowing the students time to “Get themselves together” is sometimes the best option. I tell the Littles that a lot, just take a minute and get it together. I am a tough love kind of teacher.
Going into the high school placement I was hesitant about how the students would treat me since I am younger and could sometimes be mistaken as a student. But I did not have that problem at all, the students and staff always made me feel like an equal to my cooperating teacher. At my elementary placement I knew that I would feel like a teacher compared to the ten year old students but surprisingly I was less comfortable with them then I was with the high school students. It took me a few weeks to get truly comfortable being in charge of the Littles in a classroom but I think I have finally gotten it under control. Until anything out of routine happens. Then it’s back to the drawing board before the next class comes knocking on the door; which is almost always way to soon for my liking.
It’s okay though; I’m wheels up and flying into the holiday season with one final semester between me and a fancy smancy masters degree.
Spring 2020. Bring. It.
PRAX-ArtEd 
Yes, girl! You did so awesome this semester, I’m so happy to hear that you eventually grew into your elementary placement. I’m sure the littles loved you (and all your tough love). I really feel you with learning to embrace the semi-chaotic nature of the art room, it can definitely get crazy but it tends to deliver some really brilliant results. I can’t wait to see what age group you end up teaching after we graduate. Master’s degree here we come!
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Elementary is certainly a tough one to get used to with the weird schedules and those pesky duties! With this program, it seems like just when you get used to one age group, the placements switch and everything is new and very very different. Then, you get used to your second placement and its over in the blink of an eye. Adapting to the different personalities and emotional expressiveness of the students is an interesting part of this experience. They’ll definitely keep us on our toes!
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Really proud of you that you found your footing in elementary. I too had a bumpy start…rotations…hundreds of kids…crying. Who baby! But I think it is important that you kept your head up and trying. Ultimately, those kids are super lucky to have had you as a teacher for a short period of time. Hopefully, you get some time to take a break and reset before next semester!
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Wow! This semester has been crazy from start to finish, but im so glad you feel comfortable in both of your placements now that the semester has come to a close. I think it is safe to say that most of us had a little bit of a rocky start in the elementary classroom as it is just so different than secondary. After watching you be so successful in the secondary classroom, I knew you would have no trouble in elementary once you got settled. Glad to hear that both of your placements taught you so much, and a little tough love from Ms. G can’t hurt! Keep up the awesome work can’t wait to see you in your own room next year!
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“Accepting that and allowing the students time to “Get themselves together” is sometimes the best option. I tell the Littles that a lot, just take a minute and get it together. I am a tough love kind of teacher.” Absolutely wonderful words of wisdom! I will keep this in mind as I move forward. You are very close to the finish line with your degree and I know you will end up being a wonderful teacher.
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