"I would hate for all these conversations to go private, as I would miss out
on the knowledge I could gain."
I also would be happy to see a wide variety of topics under discussion, not
just two or three main ones. I try to start new threads of conversation
based on my professional needs, and encourage each of you to be more
involved with the tapestry of topics in our group.
Here's a topic I'd like to raise--
License renewal classes.
I need to take a class this year in order to be certified to teach next
year. When I applied for my position last fall (with a license that I had
foolishly allowed to expire a few years ago--but I was not intending to go
back to work for a few more years, mind you, and took this job only because
they really needed someone), I told human resources that since I was
altering my family life considerably in order to provide service to the
school as their art specialist (my expired certificate was indeed Visual Art
K-12, and I do have my M.Ed.), I did not wish to further the stress on my
family by taking a college course concurrently while I am teaching. Human
resources did not like this and said I had to take something in the spring
in order to be certified by fall, if I wanted to teach again next year.
I called the state Department of Ed, and was told that it would be fine to
take my credit over the course of the summer, and that I should be fine to
teach next year, as long as I complete my coursework by August.
So, who should I believe? The district that has hired me, or the state that
will renew my certificate? I chose to believe the state, since that is what
was consistent with my role as a Mom. Returning to work full-time plus
taking a college course is simply more than I feel I should ask my family to
put up with. My return to teaching has been a big adjustment for all of us.
When I take a class I put a lot of time and energy into it, as I want to get
a lot out of it. I highly value education, and I look forward to being able
to really apply myself and focus on whichever class I choose to take.
Any thoughts from you all? Was I foolish not to enroll in a class for the
spring semester? Honestly, I was too distracted in the weeks after I started
work (December 8) to even give it much thought.
Do any of you have any internet credit programs that you can recommend? I am
most interested digital design and/or topics I can apply in the classroom,
of course. I am not that interested in general education classes. I want
some excitement! Not that excitement can't be found in general ed classes,
but I want to keep my focus on ART. My intention is to take a Photoshop or
a web design class this summer. Unfortunately, I discovered that the
Photoshop class that was offered previously in the summer at the state
technical and community college near me is not being offered this summer.
phooey! I need to check on web design.
Another option that interests me is the Ringling School of Art And Design's
summer program in the mountains of North Carolina. Have any of you been to
that program? Unfortunately, the school has not yet released info on the
dates and course offerings of this year's program, so it is impossible to
plan for that at this time.
Those of you who have your own web sites--how did you get started?
As always, thanks in advance for any replies!
Amy
(There's another Amy in the group, I believe--I hope I have not stepped on
her toes seeing as I just sign off with my first name. Let me know if I
should start designating which Amy I am.)
