Being+an+Art+Teacher

="What does it mean to be an art teacher?"=

"For me, it's providing the environment that invites, encourages, and facilitates children's initial and developed expression through art forms." //-Mary Ringwald//

"For me, it means being a midwife to the artistic, creative process, which means that I see myself as the helper to whatever needs to emerge and providing that safe, encouraging space: the temanos for this to occur. I am allowing the soul's creative expression. I also see myself as getting out of the way for that to happen, having absolute faith and trust in the human beings that have found their way into this space. Enjoying and reveling in the creative process. For me, it is a very spiritual experience. I always feel blessed just to be a part of it all." //-Laurie Kidd//

"Being an art teacher is the ability to bring out the artist in all students by nurturing a belief in self and "possibilities"...whether directly related to art or to other facets of life." //-Regan Rasmussen//

"What does it mean to be an art teacher? The opportunity to enhance and encourage the creative and aesthetic potential in all learners through a variety of meaningful and relevant experiences and activities that engage in thoughtful processes such as problem solving, critical thinking, and the manipulation of materials and equipment, while integrating with all areas of the curriculum." //-Heather Pastro//

"It means to be able to reopen the door to wonder, places lost, forgotten and hidden. It is to be the person who gets asked to spin plates today because the juggler could not make it. It is to be the one who never seems to need or have to say no because you are forever finding a way to somehow make the impossible possible. It is to always, when the final verdict is in, need to admit that not only do you love what you do, but passionately need to do it forever. It is, alas, to always realize that even when you think you have finished, there is more that can be and will be created." //-Kathleen Salbuvik//

//-rant by Sharon Richards//

"As an art teacher...

I am given the **responsibility** to guide my students toward a greater understanding and appreciation of the visual arts; I am given the **privilege** to help them find their own voice as they communicate and respond to the visual world; I am given the **honor** of witnessing each and every day the transformative power of the creative process; and I am given the **joy** of sharing the simple pleasure of going to the art room to 'make stuff'."

//-Krista Tracy//