Overheard in the Art Room

 

"My closet is going to be the size of a poor person's bedroom." -5th Grade Student

(Jaw, meet the floor. Floor, my jaw.)
  
  

I Know Why the Art Teacher Cries

... because of paper cuts. And cardboard cuts.
... because she just sat in a puddle of water. Again.
... because it's only Wednesday, but it has felt like Thursday for two days now.
... because she just stepped in green paint. Again.
... because her clock won't stop buzzing, no matter how many times she beats it.
... because working in a tiny octagonal room with no windows and 30 sixth graders triggers her claustrophobia.
... because she's on bus duty and has realized that she left her gloves inside.
... because she's on her way to her car and has realized that her gloves have been in her pocket all along.
... because a 1st grader corrected her math.
... because a 1st grader corrected her spelling.
... because the Monster Mug she made looks less "monster" and more like something that could be questioned as, um, racist.
... because a 2nd grader mocked her.
... because her last class was a Level Three on the chocolate recovery scale.
... because she forgot to fire the clay pieces her 4th graders were supposed to glaze.
... because of the email from THAT parent.
... because of the other email from that other parent.
... because ________________________________.

You Can't Say That in the Art Room

Phrases and Questions I'd Like to Ban from My Art Room

"I can't."

"But it doesn't look like yours."

 "Did I do this right?"

"Can you do it for me?"

And my most recent biggest pet peeve...

 "Is this good enough?"

What phrases and questions do you wish you could exile to far away lands?

Dear 5th Grade Teacher

Dear 5th Grade Teacher,

      Hi. How ya' doin'? It's me, your friendly "neighborhood" art teacher. I feel it is important to keep classroom teachers informed, not only of good and bad behavior in the art room, but also of what their classes are doing in art, especially when it ties in with what is being taught in the regular classroom. I wanted to take a moment to commend you on how professional and polite you were during my summary of class this afternoon.

     When you arrived to pick your students up, and I began to fill you in on what your students were completing, your response really made me feel like the work that goes on in my art room is highly valued. I could really tell that you were listening and cared about what I was saying even though you managed to not once make eye contact with me while I was speaking. Some people might think that your responses of "uh-huh" and "yeah" meant you were distracted and not really paying attention, but not me. I know that your responses were given with the utmost consideration and that I did in fact have your undivided attention. 

    I believe that connecting with and building a strong bond with students is vital in the school environment. I know that you truly believe the same, as was evident by your interaction with the 6th graders as they were walking past in the hallway. I noticed that while I was explaining to you how well your 5th grade students did in class today, you made every effort to interact with your former students. The way you sought out greetings and hugs from the 6th graders really shows that you care. So what if you missed my praise of your class' participation and discussion in art today? You obviously feel it is important to maintain a bond with your former students. And the way that you grabbed that one student around the shoulders and dragged him into the art room so that you could show him off to your current group of 5th graders and explain to them that this is the student whose work you are always displaying as stellar? Bravo. I know it must have made your current students happy to finally place a face with the name. And you know what? It didn't bother me one bit that you interrupted me to put on such a display.

     Most teachers always seem to be in a hurry these days. Not you though. I really admired the way you had your class wait a few minutes in the art room while you stood in the hallway so as to not, I assume, exclude any former students, thus saving them hurt feelings. How very thoughtful of you, and I know that your current class really enjoyed those extra few minutes they spent standing in a quiet line in the art room.

     In conclusion, I'm so grateful for the importance that you place on the work that your students do in my room, and the time and attention you expend attentively listening to my reports on such. 

Sincerely,

Ms. ATHG