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Lesson Plans


Re: Art room burned to the ground

From: ARTNSOUL12
Date: Sun Jan 02 2000 - 16:03:25 PST

In my old district I lost my art room after three years and worked from an
unheated closet in a school with one art cart, four floors, and in classrooms
with no sinks. The principal would only allow two children at a time to
wash. For four years I continued to do lots of painting, paper mache,
plastercraft, ceramics, etc. and REFUSED to compromise these art experiences
for my children! Art being worked on, drying, etc. lined the hallways
outside the classrooms.

The ultimate slap in the face came when a new budget was passed for new
classrooms. The principal then announced, "We can add on 4 Chevys- 2 only-
adequately sized classrooms, a music room and an art room which will share
new bathrooms, or we can opt for two Jaguars- two super-duper huge
kindergarten rooms with air conditioning (this is in New York, not Florida!)
each with its own bathroom."

Well, the district got their two Jaguars and I put out my resume out of
self-respect! I chose a district in which I now teach that has a supportive
community and wonderful art rooms. Here's bits and pieces from my
resignation letter to the Board: I began my career with a vision for our
children and community. My goals were to inspire, enthuse, and instill an
art appreciation in our students... The long and many extra hours I spent
dedicated to my art program were worth it all, as I watched a thousand
children enthusiastically develop their talents... I feel saddened and
disappointed that our children have lost an art room....I had to spend much
time compensating for this hardship....With the recent expansion I had hoped
for some permanent space to be allocated for the art program. It is for this
reason and this reason alone, that I felt I needed to move to a district that
could offer me the optimum conditions to teach art.

Ironically, as I write this, I am receiving an instant message from a former
student whom I taught two years ago, and she writes that everyone misses me.
To tell you the truth, I miss everyone there also, but the feelings that I
have about art education are stronger. We must send a message that we will
not be treated any differently than classroom teachers. I would like to
suggest to "burned down art room", if in any way possible (and I understand
that sometimes its just not possible), LOOK for ANOTHER JOB. I share my
experience as an example that destiny can be changed.....good luck! Susan
on Long Island

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