We all had to start somewhere...
Congratulations! You got hired! ... now what?!?
Often there are over 100 applicants for one art teacher job, celebrate your accomplishment. Though I advocate for all art teachers to be certified, I understand that there may be many paths that have led you here.
Some things you need to find out quickly are:
This blog will cover many areas of importance for a new art teacher. These links will take you to the in-depth articles you need. (Links to the left will take you to classroom management information.)
The Perfect Art Room
Ordering Supplies
Supplies on Low or No Budget
Starting a NEW program (and starting out the year)
FREE Professional Development
As a newbie, it is very important that you observe seasoned teachers, even if they DO NOT teach art. They will know how to organize a class, handle disruptions, and manage their classes well. Your administration will certainly know who those people are. Join your state Art Education Association and attend their annual convention. (Many are in October for some reason).
You will need good resources to get started. I will tell you everything in these books I am about to recommend are available FREE on this blog, but the books put them in a usable format you can quickly access. The workbooks allow for the buyer (you) to make copies for students. If you have a strong budget, you can even buy student editions!
Pedagogy (HOW to teach art) (VIDEO) Kindle Version
Art Teacher Workbooks (In Depth Lessons) (VIDEO)
50+ Lessons organized by Elements & Principles
The above is compiled from the 2 following books:
50 K-12 Quick Lessons (VIDEO) & 51 MORE K-12 Lessons (Video)
Art Education Magazine (Focusing on the first weeks of school)
Sub Plans for unexpected absences (VIDEO)
Art Room Posters (Wait for a sale on Zazzle.)
If you plan to buy more than 1 book, you can get a discount by buying through the publisher HERE.
Don't be scared of curriculum and don't reinvent the wheel! There is a strong chance your school has one. However, if you are asked to create a k-4 curriculum for your school, GOOGLE IT with "PDF" in the search string. (SAMPLE LINK) Many schools publish their curriculum online for the public to see and read. Download that and make it your own. Change it to fit your needs. It's a guide, not a manifesto. Take a deep breath, you can do this.
I will end with this article I wrote:
Advice to Myself as a First Year Teacher...
If I could go back in time to my first year as a teacher, this is the advice I would have given myself.
NUMBER ONE: Start your retirement saving immediately. A Roth IRA, 401K or 403B. Retirement feels like a lifetime away, but it will be upon you in a blink. It can be painful or joyous. This was reiterated by many of my friends in education. You will never get rich as a teacher; the future of teacher pay is always in flux. You must always be ready to look after yourself, so start small and increase your contributions every time you get a raise. (LINK HERE for more detail on this.)
2. Never take student unkindness personally. Their lack of "filters" is part of being a child. Their minds are not yet fully formed so expect that they will make poor decisions. Show empathy to win them over. Remember that their lives, outside of school, may be hell.
3. Don't be their friend. Students have friends. What they need is a teacher who sets clear and fair boundaries, stays consistent, and is the stable, loving anchor in their lives.
4. Don't let work pile up. Being prepared is very important, being flexible might be even more so. Plan well, create lists, and use all your contracted time to work but... be prepared for the unexpected.
5. DO NOT give up your weekends or vacations for school work. If you are doing more than can be done in your contracted day, pull back and simplify. It is okay to say NO to others at work when you are overwhelmed.
6. The first year is always the hardest. Find a seasoned yet happy teacher as a mentor. Maybe a few. Do not be an island -- do not "do it alone."
7. Don't hang out with negative teachers, it's infectious. Visit the rooms and observe those with great attitudes and amazing classroom management even if they are not art teachers. (If you don't know who that is, ask your administration, they know.)
8. Celebrate successes. Reflect on, but don't dwell on failures.
9. Stay active, have hobbies, don't let work "define" you.
10. Don't use your own money to buy supplies.
BONUS: Make friends with the janitors and secretaries. Treat them well! Always be on their good side and life will be good. ;-)
Feel free to join my Facebook group to ask me questions personally. You'll have to answer some questions to get in. This helps avoid bots & spam accounts.
Often there are over 100 applicants for one art teacher job, celebrate your accomplishment. Though I advocate for all art teachers to be certified, I understand that there may be many paths that have led you here.
Some things you need to find out quickly are:
- Where is your room? (or do you get a cart)
- What does your schedule look like?
- How many students per class?
- Do you have a sink, kiln, drying racks?
- What is your budget, if any?
- How do you order supplies?
This blog will cover many areas of importance for a new art teacher. These links will take you to the in-depth articles you need. (Links to the left will take you to classroom management information.)
The Perfect Art Room
Ordering Supplies
Supplies on Low or No Budget
Starting a NEW program (and starting out the year)
FREE Professional Development
As a newbie, it is very important that you observe seasoned teachers, even if they DO NOT teach art. They will know how to organize a class, handle disruptions, and manage their classes well. Your administration will certainly know who those people are. Join your state Art Education Association and attend their annual convention. (Many are in October for some reason).
You will need good resources to get started. I will tell you everything in these books I am about to recommend are available FREE on this blog, but the books put them in a usable format you can quickly access. The workbooks allow for the buyer (you) to make copies for students. If you have a strong budget, you can even buy student editions!
Pedagogy (HOW to teach art) (VIDEO) Kindle Version
Art Teacher Workbooks (In Depth Lessons) (VIDEO)
50+ Lessons organized by Elements & Principles
The above is compiled from the 2 following books:
50 K-12 Quick Lessons (VIDEO) & 51 MORE K-12 Lessons (Video)
Art Education Magazine (Focusing on the first weeks of school)
Sub Plans for unexpected absences (VIDEO)
Art Room Posters (Wait for a sale on Zazzle.)
If you plan to buy more than 1 book, you can get a discount by buying through the publisher HERE.
Don't be scared of curriculum and don't reinvent the wheel! There is a strong chance your school has one. However, if you are asked to create a k-4 curriculum for your school, GOOGLE IT with "PDF" in the search string. (SAMPLE LINK) Many schools publish their curriculum online for the public to see and read. Download that and make it your own. Change it to fit your needs. It's a guide, not a manifesto. Take a deep breath, you can do this.
I will end with this article I wrote:
Advice to Myself as a First Year Teacher...
If I could go back in time to my first year as a teacher, this is the advice I would have given myself.
NUMBER ONE: Start your retirement saving immediately. A Roth IRA, 401K or 403B. Retirement feels like a lifetime away, but it will be upon you in a blink. It can be painful or joyous. This was reiterated by many of my friends in education. You will never get rich as a teacher; the future of teacher pay is always in flux. You must always be ready to look after yourself, so start small and increase your contributions every time you get a raise. (LINK HERE for more detail on this.)
2. Never take student unkindness personally. Their lack of "filters" is part of being a child. Their minds are not yet fully formed so expect that they will make poor decisions. Show empathy to win them over. Remember that their lives, outside of school, may be hell.
3. Don't be their friend. Students have friends. What they need is a teacher who sets clear and fair boundaries, stays consistent, and is the stable, loving anchor in their lives.
4. Don't let work pile up. Being prepared is very important, being flexible might be even more so. Plan well, create lists, and use all your contracted time to work but... be prepared for the unexpected.
5. DO NOT give up your weekends or vacations for school work. If you are doing more than can be done in your contracted day, pull back and simplify. It is okay to say NO to others at work when you are overwhelmed.
6. The first year is always the hardest. Find a seasoned yet happy teacher as a mentor. Maybe a few. Do not be an island -- do not "do it alone."
7. Don't hang out with negative teachers, it's infectious. Visit the rooms and observe those with great attitudes and amazing classroom management even if they are not art teachers. (If you don't know who that is, ask your administration, they know.)
8. Celebrate successes. Reflect on, but don't dwell on failures.
9. Stay active, have hobbies, don't let work "define" you.
10. Don't use your own money to buy supplies.
BONUS: Make friends with the janitors and secretaries. Treat them well! Always be on their good side and life will be good. ;-)
Feel free to join my Facebook group to ask me questions personally. You'll have to answer some questions to get in. This helps avoid bots & spam accounts.
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