10 Things Your Art Teacher Won't Tell You : Teacher Edition

1. She is an artist, but she won't work for free. No, she will not draw your family portrait or paint your favorite quote on a canvas, but, then again, she might do it because her backbone is still in development stages. However, she will not do it for free. She should charge exactly what any other artist would charge (which, let's face it, is probably more than you're willing to pay and why you're asking the art teacher to do it in the first place) and it will probably take her longer because, well, she's also a teacher.

2. She LOVES presents, but don't give her your junk. She would rather have extra supplies you get at the beginning of the school year that you don't need, like paper towels or disinfecting wipes. She'll take cardboard boxes and egg cartons, but that's pretty much it. If you give her art supplies, she will be your best friend forever. No, seriously. She will label you as her BFF in her phone. To an art teacher, Art Supplies = Love & Friendship.

3. SHE HAS A CURRICULUM. You know how you plan over the summer break for the new school year? She does that, too. As a matter of fact, she works really hard on it. She'll show you her curriculum, if you ask. She meets standards and plans for assessments, just like you. So, no, she doesn't have time to do your crafts project with or without students' help.

4. It is insulting when you assume her job is easy. Trade with her for one day. I DARE YOU. Oh, and don't wear your nice teacher clothes. You'll regret it.

5. She's the last to leave school almost every day. Seriously, she basically lives in her classroom and often thinks of bringing her cat to school as a class pet.

6. She is not a babysitter. Just because you bring your students to class late doesn't meet you get to pick them up late. The same goes for bringing them early. Those few minutes between classes are her chance to go to the restroom and maybe (maybe!!!!!) a chance to sit down.

7. She feels left out. Lucky classroom teachers, she envies you (sometimes). You are considered more important by the people who make big decisions so you get first dibs on electronics and supplies. You also get to socialize more and, because her schedule is basically opposite of yours, she doesn't get to socialize with you (BUT SHE WANTS TO!!).

8. She's intelligent. Sometimes, you talk down to her. She doesn't know why and you may not even notice it. She's young, a creative soul, a nonconformist, and, heck, maybe even a vegetarian, but she just might also be very logical, a good team member, have 2 degrees, and have educated reasons for not eating meat.

9. She's actually pretty bomb at classroom management. You assume she's terrible with classroom management. You call it crazy, she calls it controlled chaos. It works well for her and she believes her students NEED a little freedom after sitting in your class doing left brain stuff. Yes, she let's them stand up to do their art or sit down on the floor. After all, she wants them to be creative.

10. Teaching art is fun and she wouldn't want to teach anything else. Her classroom is an accepting environment where students have a voice and get to express themselves in a language that doesn't have words. She loves her job because her students are the best and they're the reason she goes to work every day!

P.S.: I am so grateful to my coworkers that love and support me and what I do! #luckiestteacherever

Love, Hannah

#10thingsyourartteacherwonttellyou #dearteachers