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Lesson Plans


advice about art teacher career

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Liz Wilson (lwilson)
Fri, 15 Nov 1996 16:53:04 -0500 (EST)

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Hi all. I've been following the discussion for a while, because I'm
considering becoming an art teacher, probably in the middle or high school
grades. I'd like to get some advice, and it would be really helpful to me
if you could respond to the questions below -- I would like to learn from
your wisdom and experience! (You can respond directly to my e-mail address
if you would prefer.) Here are the questions; some background info about me
is provided after the questions, in case that might help you in answering
them:

1) What are the best parts of the profession? Is it worth it to you? What
kind of person would be well suited to this field?

2) I've heard a lot about how the arts are undervalued and underfunded in
public schools; is this something that should be a major concern or should
dissuade someone from considering a career as an art teacher?

3) What are the job prospects? Is it very difficult to find a job? Is it
easier to find a job in certain parts of the country, in rural areas, in
suburbs? Is it easier to find part-time work than full-time work? Is this
field supposed to grow or shrink in the near future?

4) Any reflections on working with different age ranges (e.g., elementary
vs. high school)?

5) Is there a particular educational background that is the most desirable
for becoming an art teacher? (See info about my background below.) What is
your background?

6) Do you have any words of caution, or words of encouragement?

My background: I didn't study art when I was in college, though I enjoyed
art classes in junior high and high school. I've been out of college for
three years, and a while ago became excited about the idea of becoming an
art teacher because I was taking adult ed art classes and learning about
the education field through my educational research job. Now I'm taking a
community college art class for credit, thinking that if I get enough
credits I could maybe apply to a Master's program in Art Education.

I appreciate your responses....

Liz Wilson

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