Hi Larry,
Thank you for your very poignant insights into your daily life as an art
educator. I found so much of what you say to be true to my career as a
teacher and artist. I am sure many on the list can relate as well.
> Then...there are the types that ask favors of you in school and the
> community that haven't the slightest inkling who you are in the eyes of the
> national and international community.
...or in the eyes of our students even. I always told my students that
they are my bosses, I work on their behalf!
Larry says... I guess what I'm getting at is...I've tired of all the favors
I'm asked and expected to do,
I feel I have to be cognizant of the importance
(for the sake of my wife if anything else) to impress the importance I
provide to the district.
Yes, however none of us should endure the cruel,humiliating remark I
received from a principal who told me, "You should be GRATEFUL that you are
being allowed to exist to decorate these pumpkins" ... for the tables at the
Teacher Appreciation Banquet. This was a task imposed one year on all the
art teachers in the district by the Board of Education. Of course I smiled
and organized the students to decorate them, but that year I quit attending
the banquets.
> all in all though...my superintendent told me two years ago I was the best
> art teacher he ever knew in his 30 years and arranged for the state
superintendent of schools to meet me last year. I received a great letter
from her which is in my personal file now.
This is great, Larry, congratulations!
Everyday is a lesson in humility...and I got to believe
God knows what He's doing.
peace,
Larry
And we can only hope that not too many rugs are pulled out from
underneath us as we progress through a life in teaching.
Ann-on-y-mouse in Columbus
Art teacher, K-5, retired
