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

1. She won't tell you your work is terrible. She doesn't see your work that way, even when it might be to you or someone else. To her, your work is wonderful because you made it and she thinks you're super cool! She might give you tips on how to improve it, instead, but she won't tell you it is awesome unless she really thinks it's awesome.

2. She likes to see things she's never seen before. She likes to see the unique qualities that only you can bring to a work of art. You're special and she wants to see what style you can bring to a project she's probably taught over and over again.

3. She hates the "R" word. And you should, too! Why do you insist on calling your art work the R word? Better words or phrases are: incomplete, in need of help, uncreative, not looking well, displeasing, unattractive, etc.

4. She tries to create a happy, positive classroom. And she doesn't like it when you bring negative vibes into it. She doesn't like to hear you talk about other students or teachers in a negative way and she doesn't like watching her students be mean to each other. Her classroom is meant to be a safe haven for ALL STUDENTS, no matter their gender, race, social status, friend group, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, athletic team, whoever their boyfriend/girlfriend was last week, etc.

5. Sometimes, you get on her nerves. You can really be annoying sometimes, especially when you repeatedly ask the same questions over and over again because you refuse to listen. Like when you ask her for gum all the time- what makes you think she has gum, anyway? And, if she did, why would she give it to you when you just chew it up and stick it under a piece of furniture? But, she remembers being a middle schooler and forgives you. :)

6. She is not an endless supply of art materials. She will not give you paint for your other classes. Why, you ask? As soon as she does, you'll be complaining the next day in art class about how there's no blue paint.

7. She (almost) cries when she has to throw away paintbrushes. There's a reason why she's so annoyingly repetitive about washing brushes properly. She throws so many away that she lost the time to provide an appropriate funeral for them all.

8. Yes, she can grade art and... it takes her a really long time. You will never know your full potential until you try to reach it. Don't be afraid! You CAN do it! She believes in you! Grading art is really difficult and takes so long because she wants to give you a detailed explanation for your grade, as she wants to be fair and honest.

9. She talks about you to her friends and family. She will remember a joke you told her and tell her husband. She will brag about the awesome job you did on your last project to her mom. She will tell her friends about the funny and ridiculous things you say and her friends will laugh and wish they hung out with cool middle schoolers, too!

10. She loves her job! You're the reason she goes to work every day. She is always excited to teach you new things in art. She hopes that you give art a chance and end up loving it as much as she does!

Love, Mrs. G

#dearstudents #10thingsyourartteacherwonttellyou