Teaching

It’s been a while since my last post. So I’ll make up for it with 3 bite-sized pieces over the next few days.

In the last four weeks we have been teaching high school art classes. I’ve learned a few things while teaching here. Preparation is the key to any successful lesson. For example “one” shouldn’t show up to class with only crayons and paper, expecting to engage youth. I learned to always keep my word. I have acquired the teacher stare down—an essential. I have begun to balance my time between group instruction and spending time one-on-one whenever possible. I’m constantly reminded to use the advice of those around me.

We have been working with 8 classes, each with its own personality. Our goal is to encourage expression of self, community, and nation through a variety of visual art media. Some classes would sit down immediately and start working on their print or self-portrait.

Most of these kids were into art already and therefore could express themselves artistically without a great deal of effort. For others, our art workshops were like pulling teeth….out of a polar bear…with a stomach ulcer.

Like many teenagers, youth here don’t have confidence in their ability. I saw one girl draw the first outline of her self-portrait. Then erase it. Meticulously redraw the line. Then erase it. Then turn her paper over and start again. Needless to say I had to outlaw erasers.

It was pretty cool to see the youth slowly realizing how to cut the lines of their stencil so that all the pieces would stay together. The irrepressible glow of success as they look at their completed pieces. It was the belligerent kids who seemed impossible to work with, who “hated” doing art—but carefully signed their workmanship. This—in the end—was what made my day worthwhile.