With all the things we're required to do all year, there's always more... and one important one is to promote your department from within!
Though we often think art promotes it'self, you can see enrollment fluctuate, which may even have an impact on your employment. A fully tenured, exceptionally talented art teacher can be let go (RIF = Reduction in Force) if students do not register for their classes. Your guidance department may not view art as important, or have misinformed ideas of what we really do.
Every year that students begin to schedule classes, I make a concerted effort to be more visible in school. The image in this post is a fun structure project we do outdoors while students are having lunch, in full view of everyone. We also put work outdoors, and make it more visible in the halls.
Consider too making connections to members of your guidance department, especially those in charge of scheduling. Touch base, tell them what you are up to. Send them good news when you have some about a difficult student. No one like to just hear about problems. Donate some art to them that kids have left behind. With very little effort, you can have these people advocate better for you, and you will be fully employed.
Though we often think art promotes it'self, you can see enrollment fluctuate, which may even have an impact on your employment. A fully tenured, exceptionally talented art teacher can be let go (RIF = Reduction in Force) if students do not register for their classes. Your guidance department may not view art as important, or have misinformed ideas of what we really do.
Every year that students begin to schedule classes, I make a concerted effort to be more visible in school. The image in this post is a fun structure project we do outdoors while students are having lunch, in full view of everyone. We also put work outdoors, and make it more visible in the halls.
- Display really fun looking projects during scheduling weeks.
- Display work in the Library or other major gathering areas.
- Connect 1 on 1 with your freshman, and be sure they stay in art.
- Remind students to tell their talented friends to sign up for art.
- Show how "art kids" score 100 points higher on average on SATs.
- Have the video club feature art the weeks of scheduling.
- Start an art club and have them help promote during scheduling.
Consider too making connections to members of your guidance department, especially those in charge of scheduling. Touch base, tell them what you are up to. Send them good news when you have some about a difficult student. No one like to just hear about problems. Donate some art to them that kids have left behind. With very little effort, you can have these people advocate better for you, and you will be fully employed.
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