Ive been an art teacher in a private school for 27 years. I had an art assistant for the first 23. It was wonderful. Then I was on my own with 12-18 kids grades pre-k to 3 with sporadic inadequate help scattered about for just prek & k, not art oriented, nor interested people-thrown in as a duty. Class management, and keeping things simple were the new goals and creative in-depth art projects were on hold. I taught as I watched all that I built as a thriving art program crumble to baseline. The children thrived with me more on zoom, since management was off the table and I could be creative again as I worked to meet their needs at home. I got accolades from parents. When back at school with same one teacher model- It all became paired down again. Near retirement, I chose to demote myself in hours and pay to an after school art position where I can be creative once again . Other teachers have assistants/co teachers in our school and many others, but not specialists ( art, music, etc) My wish for the future generations of specialists is to be seen equally in this profession.
Ive been an art teacher in a private school for 27 years. I had an art assistant for the first 23. It was wonderful. Then I was on my own with 12-18 kids grades pre-k to 3 with sporadic inadequate help scattered about for just prek & k, not art oriented, nor interested people-thrown in as a duty. Class management, and keeping things simple were the new goals and creative in-depth art projects were on hold. I taught as I watched all that I built as a thriving art program crumble to baseline. The children thrived with me more on zoom, since management was off the table and I could be creative again as I worked to meet their needs at home. I got accolades from parents. When back at school with same one teacher model- It all became paired down again. Near retirement, I chose to demote myself in hours and pay to an after school art position where I can be creative once again . Other teachers have assistants/co teachers in our school and many others, but not specialists ( art, music, etc) My wish for the future generations of specialists is to be seen equally in this profession.
Thank you for sharing this.... and it's a hope that I pray comes to be realized.
Such a great idea and you're spot on, again, Michael!