The start of something great

Every new school year that approaches brings me a sense of nerves and excitement. I don't get the nausea before I go to work like I used to my first two years. Now it is a great sense of anticipation. Not quite as lurid as the Rocky Horror picture show version, but anticipation none the less. I begin in mid-July (even though I've been told not to start until August, by some of my veteran peers.) with of all things a plan book and a grade book. Something about these two simple tangible tactile objects makes me start to feel somehow prepared to face what will be a wild landslide of actions at the middle/end of August. Now, I haven't actually written anything in either of these books. But, seeing them sitting there ready for when I am ready for them, makes me feel, well, ready...er.

As a teacher many of my 'great" ideas come at times of extreme inconvenience. for example, in the middle of the lesson...."Oh crud, I should have poured more paint into little cups" or when I am in no place, position, or frame of reference to write it down or implement them, on a plane, playing disc golf, hiking. So these two little $7 books make me think that I can write it down, if some muse strikes me.

But does it ever rain when you've got an umbrella?

School starts August 19th

I have been an art and design educator for 5 going on 6 years.
I like what I do, and I feel like being a teacher lets me pass on my love of the arts to the next generations to come. There are many issues in education today, and many fears about the loss of the arts in our public education system.

This blog is here to show what I do in the classroom, and how art and design do make a difference.

I'll probably be posting lessons, reflections on lessons, my schedule and goals and motivations.