I would also have to add how it changes/affects your teaching. When
you are on a cart, there is a certain loss of spontaniety. When you
need to have several classes worth of art materials on a cart, there
is little or no room for extra stuff. If the teacher or a student
suddenly gets a great idea and wants to incorporate other materials
into the project, the art cart's limited space may not allow them to
do this.
Being on a cart may also limit the type of artwork you do. As already
mentioned, certain classroom teachers either don't have room for
storing works that need drying, etc. I have even had situations where
there was so much clutter that there wasn't even enough room on the
classroom table to do a demonstration - and the art cart top was too
high for a student in a wheelchair to see!
Then there's the whole issue of rules, atmosphere and turf. Even if a
teacher leaves, it seems as if it's a little more difficult to have
total control on how things run. When you have your own classroom,
you can organize things the way they are conducive to your teaching
style, etc.
Good luck. Work as hard as you can to keep your room - because once
they take it away, you probably won't get it back....
>Get the classroom teachers on your side. They do not want art from
>a cart messing up their rooms and keeping the teachers from working in
>their rooms during the art period. Storage of projects is also a big issue.
>There are lots more classroom teachers, so they have more clout with the
>teachers' association and administration. I know this answer doesn't
>address the validity of art, but sometimes you have to get what you need
>through the political process, distasteful and demeaning as that can be.
>
> Ann-on-y-mouse in Columbus
>
>
>>I'm looking for some help and possibly research on the problems created
>>for an art program, the students, the teacher, the school building, etc.,
> >when art ends up being taught off of a cart, going from room to room.
>
