My undergraduate education degree in Art Education included taking studio courses
in the following:
jewelry
ceramics*
3D Design
Sculpture
Drawing*
Painting*
Set Design
Fibers and Surface Design*
Printmaking
Photography*
Film making, Puppet work, and Performance Art
Commercial Art/Graphic Design
Design
I can teach all of these, and in my district, have. I am now teaching AP Art
History, and Advanced Art, but over the years have taught everything. I feel
very confident in teaching these studio courses because of my undergraduate work.
The courses with * are ones I took added electives in, and I even started a
Ceramics and Fibers masters program, but finished in another area. My school
would not allow someone to get a teaching degree WITHOUT studio experience. We
had to prove ourselves as artists everyday, and as 'process' artists at that. My
experience with 'thesis' statements is a reflection of my undergraduate work of
over 30 years ago. The infernal debate over teacher versus artist/teacher has
been ongoing for over 30 years. I refuse to feel guilty over not having a BFA or
MFA, nor do I feel any desire to belittle someone who came to teaching from the
alternative route. We are all here to inspire, lead and share the 'magic' with
our students and each other, no matter how we have gotten to this point.
