In 2012, I received an award from the Missouri Art Educator's Association. I was deemed 'art educator of the year'. I traveled to NYC and to the state conference in Missouri to accept my award. I had to get up in front of a big room of art teachers and give a big speech. It was a really big deal.
A few weeks later, one of my husband's best friends made a comment that was completely unexpected. "Wait? What? You actually teach kindergarten art? You teach children? I thought you taught high school? You mean little kids need an entire class for art?" Well. Yes. He is from Oklahoma. Art isn't offered until 6th grade in Oklahoma, so he had never taken an art class as a kid. He was completely shocked and surprised that my job even existed. As good as I felt about my award, I realized that maybe it wasn't a big deal. Maybe what I do every day isn't that important. Over the last few years, I have thought a lot about that. Every day, I think about whether or not art is important for children. And every day, I see my students succeed....and I know that it is important. Every lesson may not be perfect. Every project may not be award winning. But what I do is good. And it is important.
1 Comment
Sherri Swaim
3/18/2016 08:46:21 pm
Odd. I grew up in Oklahoma and we had art every day K-6, then in Jr High we were required to have an art elective, and High School offered specializations in various art disciplines of arts. I also attended Summerarts. Just where did your husband's friend attend school?
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Mrs. Mitchell
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