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In a message dated 08/20/2000 12:39:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
djash writes:

<< I don't understand it but from first hand experience also ... it happens!
Most
 likely due to their insecurities, but that doesn't make it any easier on the
 receiving end. It can be a nightmare. This is one of the reasons I find this
 group so wonderful. People actually willing to help others succeed. Donna
 
>>I, too, find this groups to be so supportive because of the reasons Donna
stated above. I work in a town where the administration either pits people
against one another or doesn't support us at all, even in subjects other than
the arts.

I have been thinking I would finally get back to painting. I miss it so.
When I paint with the kids, in class, I get them started and paint right
along, if there's room (seldom even room enough for them) I feel alive at
that point.

When I began teaching in public school, in the states, 32 years ago, I kept
painting. I had a studio at the Boston Center for the Arts, when it first
opened, I belonged to the Experimental Etching Studio, and I produced some
good things. The more I became a teacher, and learned about education, the
less energy I had for my own work. Teaching overseas, English, had never
worn me out as the teaching of art, here. Not worn me out, but I had to make
priorities. I turned to the craft of papercutting, quite by accident, from a
school project. It happens at many grade levels and in teaching geography and
culture, I made quite a little business and turned them into ornaments and
note cards, which seemed to pay for all the extra supplies I bought for my
art room.

Now, quite unexpectedly, and I think because of the administration in this
town, which seems to be very good at putting teachers down and making it
difficult to teach, instead of supporting us, I have begun to look forward to
my retirement in four years. I never, ever thought I would even want to
retire from this important calling. I keep learning too much, each year about
how I can do things better and more deeply.
I'm quite horrified at my thoughts. Almost a guilty feeling.

But ... I have been doing some bookbinding, again from book projects with the
kids. And ... think that when I retire I might just go a learn about
traditional book binding. Then again, pipedreams are good ... yes?

Leslie in Framingham,
where my school leaks, the windows aren't see through or in one piece any
more but the Superintendent has the money to furnish a new office with
everything new, including $500.00 French doors (so my custodian tells me).

---

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