An Acrostic for ART

For months I’ve thought what I would say to encourage another art educator.  I’ve decided on three ideas in an acrostic for ART to help recall.

“A” stands for; advocate your program. Enter your students’ work in competitions and exhibits. Contact the local newspaper.  Invite the Board of Education and your school’s administration to the exhibits. (It doesn’t really matter if they come – the invitation lets them know you are out there and doing something!)  My superintendent has laughed for 12 years about me sending him an NAEA publication and highlighting national standards and points I wanted him to understand about art education.  Tell the local newspaper. Have an artist visit your class for a special unit. Take pictures and call the local newspaper.  When a student gets recognition, take their picture; put it in the school hallway. Call your newspaper.  When you work with your National Art Honor Society on a service or volunteer project, make pictures. And, tell your local newspaper. You get the idea! If the local paper doesn’t send a representative, take photos of everything and send them in the paper’s preferred format.

“R” stands for; retain your sense of humor. Once gone, it is difficult to get back.  If students know you are frustrated or angry, they may try to send you over the edge.  Break the tension by bursting in song, beginning to whisper, or stand on top of your desk and ask for their attention. Think opposite and head in that direction when plans or discipline fall apart; it will throw your students off their game just long enough for you to regain control. When it’s all over, laugh with your students!

“T” stands for; think outside the box. Write a grant. Collaborate with other departments or individual teachers for a school-wide festival. If it’s been done before, do it better or bigger. Raise your level of expectancy toward your students. They will come through when given responsibility. I have had opportunity to travel the state of AL this year and have met amazing students. However, I have worked in Title I schools where the atmosphere can be depressive and teachers are overwhelmed. Such situations can lead to lowering of standards and our levels of expectancy. Trust your students to “think outside the box” with you!

-Rebecca (Becky) Guinn