Me, As A Teacher

Art improves the well-being and decreases negative emotions. It relieves stress and reduces anxiety and depression. Visual art helps people to express feelings that are too difficult to put into words. It can be a refuge from the intense emotions associated with illness e.g. molding clay can be a powerful away to help people express these feelings through physical touch. There is also evidence that the use of art and music reduces hospital stays and decreases the need for pain medication. Arts also improve memory, learning, and balance.

It was not long ago that arts education in schools was thought to be luxury, and art classes were cut from the curriculum to make room for more time to prepare for standardized tests. Currently, there is more and more information available that shows how crucial the arts are creating well-rounded, well-prepared learners and readers. Arts integrations allow students to engage in abstract concepts in new ways. Arts-based education will power the creative economy. We weave the arts into our core classroom curricula as well as teach specific artistic skills and abilities. 

Working in the arts helps learners to develop creative problem-solving skills. Teaching through the arts can present difficult concepts visually, making them easier to understand.

I love teaching arts to my students, no matter what is the age group and I have a simple philosophy when I teach: I teach arts with age-appropriate techniques. My first technique would be I rarely use a pencil and eraser in my classroom. The reason is simple, a child increases his confidence level as and when he/she directly uses a non-erasable material i.e. marker, paintbrush, etc. pencil markings can be erased which leads to second-guessing. If we start thinking through the eyes of 3 years. The child who has just started writing A, B, C, D…… it’s not an alphabet for him, it’s just an ‘ART’. As he practices it, again and again, he is confident and can write it with a pen or marker. This proves each and everything is an art. From writing alphabets to words and then sentences. 

I try my best to make my art classes filled with colours and fun. I love to draw and demonstrate simple drawings for my students which really helps them engage with the lesson. I give lots of examples, so if we are doing a lesson on owls, I draw a few different ones, some realistic, some silly, some animated. In the process of drawing on the whiteboard, I show my kids how to turn mistakes into something creative. I also use how-to-draw methods in my classroom teaching. It’s really very important for us as teachers to get students inspire by us. 

I choose the subject of my art classes very carefully. I want my students to be fully charged during the class and having a can do attitude. I love the eagerness on the faces of my students when they see me giving demonstrations and feel I have won the race when I know from their expression that ‘Yes I should try this, and I will be able to do this.’ This confidence is my victory.

 Outlining is one way I teach my students to make the artwork look completed. If artwork is made with watercolor, it just pops out if outlined by a Chinese drawing ink. It really makes a difference.

A good teacher should be brave, and be an example for kids. I encourage my students to try something new. I try to give them constructive comments and lots of encouragement. I don’t like kids to say, “I can’t do this,” or “My painting is bad.” I really hate these words. According to me, ‘Nothing is Impossible’ and ‘Art is an ART.’ It’s nothing like BAD in an Art. There is no Right or Wrong in Art. Imagination wins and makes children more innovative. Teaching children about visualization increases their thinking power. Mistakes are expected in life as well as art. Use them as opportunities to make life and art even better.

My art classes also include elements and principles of art. In my classes, I give them a variety of materials to create art. My classes also include lectures about how a society or culture influences art. I try my kids to establish self-esteem and self- confidence.

I love my kids; they are the most priceless asset. Teaching arts is not just a profession; it’s a passion for me. I feel good when I see my students shining after completing their graduations. I love to décor my art room and display artworks made by students in the Art Gallery of my school. I teach them the elements, principles, media, and techniques to be a successful artist. Before going for a class I try to organize myself about the practice to be taught or lecture to be given. We, teachers, are the leaders, we lead our students, our classroom. I try my students to be better learners and to be more observative. Sure, we get tired and frustrated, but at the end of the day, we know we have one of the most important jobs in the school. We are teaching our students to be divergent and creative thinkers. I really try my students to be excited and engaged, which really shows they are learning.