Laura, I'm stealing your little sub-heading format just this once :)
Adventures in...no more baby-sitting:
During my absence from the blog world, much has happened, the most prominent being that I accepted a teaching position at a private school in Orange Park. Check out their killer website at www.sjcds.net This position is for Grades 4-8 which excites me; I used to think that I would never teach middle school, but after teaching K-5, I've found that the wee ones (PreK, K, 1, and 2, specifically) are not my forte...not 25 to 28 of them at once + paint, anyways. Because this new school is K-12, I will be working with 3 other art teachers (awesome support group). I think I may go through reverse culture shock as this new school is the complete opposite of SP. I have my moments of feeling guilty about leaving SP...really guilty...I adore some of the people I work with there, especially my principal. And I have grown attached and feel somewhat responsible for my students. However, I know this is a good move for me professionally in the long run; I will be doing much more teaching instead of disciplining...more art, less baby-sitting. If I stayed at SP, it'd be because I felt like I SHOULD and not necessarily because I WANT to. In some ways, I feel that if I stayed at SP, I would get lazy since the arts are not taken very seriously. Still feeling guilty though :P
After-School Arts Program:
So far, I have 12 students participating in the painting and drawing portion of the program. We've had 6 sessions together, and it's great! Sure, we had a rocky start, but once we received the shipment of art supplies (easels, charcoal, drawing paper, pastels, colored pencils, and much more) the kids began to take things more seriously. I cannot really explain the satisfaction I get walking around our little art studio, watching the progress of their charcoal drawings from the still-life in the center of the room. The principal stopped by one evening to see the progress. He was in awe of how focused the students were and how great their drawings looked. Then he said, "This is the perfect way for me to end my day. I needed to see this." which made me feel really purposeful. It's good for the kids to see that someone (like the principal) notices and appreciates their talent.
In other news:
---> One of my fifth graders groped me last Thursday, completely on purpose and with a smile...which made me feel ill. He was suspended for a whole day. I think that's too fierce a punishment, don't you? Good lord.
---> Last weekend, Dylan began teaching me how to surf. I actually stood up a few times! But I'm having trouble with the whole getting-off-the-board-once-the-wave-breaks maneuver. It was a perfect learning day as the waves were very small and manageable. This is a big deal to me because I have a minor fear of water....being under it, to be more specific. Swimming near the Atlantic has helped cure some of the fears though. Anyways, I'm excited to go out and try again.
---> I'm a slacker for not keeping up with my posts.
14 days 'til summer break :)
3 comments:
I think it's absolutely wonderful that the principal stopped by the after school art program and said that. I am sure he fights a lot of battles at that school and, as he said, needed to see that.
Go Cath!
What a great influence you'll have in those kids lives. Just as Grampa touched you, you will touch others. I'm so proud of you!
I'm really glad the after-school program is a success. It's good to teach the kids that school is about learning all kinds of thing, including things they actually want to learn. And it shows them that you care too. What a great way to end anyone's day.
Also, I think you're making the right decision taking the new job. Don't stay for guilt because then you'll end up resenting your job and the people who work there. You'll have the "I don't need this crap" attitude, which isn't good.
Happy surfing! Don't forget the sunscreen!
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