Stepping Stones

Everyone has heard the words that “things happen for a reason.” Even though we think the world is “out to get us”, it is not until later that we can realize that the trials we encounter, in everything we do, is a stepping stone in our life’s journey. I am going to share my journey that I have had on becoming an art teacher.

I was that child that art teachers refer to when they defend the importance of art. I was not interested in other subjects. I lived for art classes. My High School art teacher encouraged me and because of that, I went to college to pursue some type of art career. I soon decided that I wanted to become an art teacher to order to help and guide students on an art path. The same year that I was graduating college, art and music programs were cut out from the curriculum for the “Back to the Basic movement.”  Majoring in art and minoring in painting did not leave options to teach any other subjects. (I would recommend that students always have another area to use as a back up plan). I took over a fifteen-year detour by working in retail because of the bleak job outlook in art education.  I started teaching after school art classes. At first, I went to schools to teach after school classes until I added a room onto my house. I was determined to teach one way or another. Knox County finally started adding art teachers into the elementary schools. I was fortunate enough to get a position with them and I still teach after- school classes. 

I did everything I could as soon as possible because of feeling liked I had missed so much already. Opportunities started presenting themselves and I jumped on as many as I could. Within six months, I had art displayed in Nashville in Representative Bill Dunn’s office, two winners in a county art show, and had two art shows because I was teaching at two different schools. I had students that painted murals on the walls of one school and the other school, students painted a window for a local business as part of the Dogwood Arts Festival. I have not stopped since then. 

I know that my teaching has touched the lives of many children. I am just now starting to see my students going on to college and some are majoring in art. I am very proud of their accomplishments and cannot wait to see many more succeed in art related fields. Even if they do not major in art, art classes have still touched them in some way. I have had students who tell me that “ coming to art class makes them feel better.” One student lost her mother when she was only in the second grade and numerous times over the years would give me notes and draw me pictures telling me just how much art made her feel better. Another boy came into my room in a very angered state last year and ask to sit by himself. After about ten minutes later into his art project he said, “Mrs. Wright, you know, art seems to clam you down.”

Teaching in Knox County has been a great experience. The art teachers meet as a group and we have a great art supervisor that stands up for us and makes sure that we are all leaders in our field. I noticed right away which teachers were successful and they where my inspiration, I wanted to be like them. One of the best things that I did was to join The Tennessee Art Education and NAEA. I would recommend it to all art teachers and young students going into the field of teaching. It is the best way to keep informed of changes; you get wonderful professional development opportunities and valuable collaboration between peers. I hope to meet many of my fellow teachers at the NAEA National Convention in Seattle!

Even though for years I wondered why I was not an art teacher, and why it was so hard into get where I am now, I now realize that it was my stepping-stones. Next time I will share how my “Step Up for Art” campaign started.

-Jackie Spaulding-Wright

*Please send in quotes from students on how they feel about art or how art classes have affected their life. Do you have a story about a student using art to make a difference?

Helpful Hints:
Check your state’s education association and NAEA to become a member. There are special rates for students.
http://www.arteducators.org/community/membership

Did you know that there are grants to attend the conferences? Check with your state’s art’s commission. Some have teacher professional development grants.

Quotes on stepping stones and overcoming obstacles:

“A desire can overcome all objections and obstacles.” - Gunderson

“Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there... to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but when you look eyes with them, you know that every moment that you are with them, they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, will power or heart. “ (Author Unknown)

“Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”
-Dale Carnegie

  
My life is a blank canvas and I am the artist!
-Jackie Spaulding-Wright

 

 

 

 

Check out Maggie Bags: http://maggiebags.net
This was a former student of mine in that was in my after school art classes all through Elementary School. She just graduated last year and has this amazing recycled bag company made out of recycled seatbelt material.
 
Inspirational Story - This student from Knoxville turned her experience of having a brain tumor and creative outlet of making  “ Brain Bows” into a way to raise money for the cause. You can go to “Brainbows” to become a member of the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/LindseysBrainbows

 
Fifth grader's hair bow business helps raise thousands for charitable foundation: www.wbir.com