A new year is the perfect time for a fresh start…
So, I’ve switched around a few things on here to make it more reader friendly and more focused.
I’m also working on a makeover for the Teachers Pay Teachers store. A lot of things on there can use some improvement. I’m getting better at the whole software thing, so now I can actually make things look the way they should. I am giving more thought to the quality and development of the current products by making them more cohesive and by making sure they are thorough and stress free as possible for the teacher who buys them.
Additionally, I’ve been catching up on continuing good habits in my Artist life, painting daily now, first thing. I’m taking care of myself physically (through balanced diet and exercise) and I feel 100% productive because of it. I’ve FINALLY learned how to take breaks. I’ve given myself time to develop my artistic skills by listening to other artists and reading what they have written.
All of this adds to my Teacher life. I definitely have a steep learning curve with my 4 year old class and also my 7th grade class. It’s the first year I’ve worked with each of those levels, so I am really absorbing a lot. And by that I mean I’m making like 10,000 mistakes! But hey, that’s how I’m refined!
In the past, I have been (and still continue to be) puzzled at how to handle a lot of different situations that are completely unique to Art Teachers. It reminds me of an Old Spice commercial about experience… (I’ve posted it at the bottom)
So, when I found the Facebook page for Art Teachers, I felt like I hit the jackpot. Lately, I’ve been quite active over there.
I’ve found it to be incredibly helpful and thought-provoking. I just love reading and commenting on there to share things that I’ve found helpful, and posting questions which garner INCREDIBLE responses from our amazing art teaching colleagues. If you haven’t seen it yet, search “Art Teachers” and join the convo.
“If you have it you don’t need it.
If you need it you don’t have it.
If you have it you need more of it.
If you have more of it you don’t need less of it.
You need it to get it,
and you certainly need it to get more of it.
But if you don’t already have any of it begin with
you can’t get any of it to get started
which means you really have no idea how to get it in the first place, do you?
You can share it, sure.
You can even stockpile it if you’d like.
But you can’t fake it.
Wanting it, needing it, wishing for it.
The point is,
if you’ve never had any of it, ever
people just seem to know”