Learning: The Student Perspective

Can you remember the day you made your decision to enter the field of art education?  Some may have taken that first step yesterday, and for many others, it’s a fond memory.  September is the month when we begin our school year as educators and students.  I am currently entering into my third year of my teaching career, and every time I come back, I gain more respect for those who have been in the profession for years!  As a travelling teacher for three schools in my district, I have learned to balance my time, national position, family life, and sometimes the supplies as I move from room to room.  Even as I start my lessons for the beginning of the school year, I always think back on the steps I took to make it where I am today.

Throughout the month, I would like to discuss four important goals from three points of views: Thestudent, first year teacher, and early professional.  This week will be focused on the goal of Learning.

As a student in the field of art education, we strive to become the best with our abilities and share what we have learned within our own working environments.  Many students enter into the profession as undergraduates.  They may take classes in general studies, basic fine arts and art history, and prepare for the road to student teaching.  Other students enter into a graduate program.  With the visual arts knowledge at hand, graduate students come back to learn the strategies of teaching, lesson planning, and guided research. 

The first step a student takes toward his/her future is to ask the simple question…”Can I make a difference in the future of art education?”  As you go through your courses, and walk out with that diploma, your answer is a positive and your perseverance is strong.

I would like to offer some helpful tips to my fellow student members as we enter into our new school year.  As an early professional, my student days are still fresh in my memory!

 Collect your ideas.  As a student, you are preparing yourself to enter into the field of art education.  Some school districts may not have a set curriculum and may require you to create your own.  Since my first day in graduate school, I had saved every lesson plan and NAEA Advisory that was shared in our class.  I am still adding new ideas each year into my classroom!
 Attend professional development opportunities.  Most state art education organizations have a student group available for your needs.  I cannot describe in a few sentences what the state and national conferences have to offer for your profession.  Within the first month of my university’s student chapter, we had a great opportunity to attend the NAEA conference in Chicago and volunteer our time.  I was overwhelmed with the wealth of knowledge, lesson ideas, and positive emotions from my first trip.  

Students from Columbia College Chicago at the New York NAEA conference, 2007

 Take notes in your observations.  This may already be required of you, but you may look back into your notes to review how a classroom was situated, or even how a classroom environment had a positive effect on student behavior.  
 Know your state and national visual arts standards.  Most school districts require lesson plans with the standard in place for your final assessments.  I may not have the standards embedded into my memory word for word, but I am constantly using them.  My district asks that all teachers post the state standard with the hallway displays, community centers, and board meetings.  
 Take time to reflect with your peers.  While in your courses in your university setting, you make be taking in too much information and not have the time to discuss thoughts and opinions with your classmates.  Make the time outside of class to meet with your peers (local cafes, libraries, etc.) and discuss your thoughts.  I feel this piece of advice is the most important to me since I allow time to even reflect with my co-workers.  From self reflection comes growth!

I would like to leave this portion with a thought.  If you are a student pursuing your degree in art education, you may tire and become frustrated along your path.  Please take this quote with you as a positive thought to help you continue your journey:

“With desire and commitment the leader builds up a fire inside that causes other to glow brightly.  No matter what the odds, the leader knows that any task can be accomplished.”  -Harry Wong

As an art educator, you are also a leader.  Everyday, you will continue being the student as well as the teacher.

-Heidi O'Hanley

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Wong. H. (1998). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Mountain View, Ca: Harry K. Wong Publications