New teacher needs help!

[taximom]

I have been looking around the boards for awhile, have posted a couple times in the WDE, but would like help as I have just taken a job with our town community center. I will be teaching preschoolers art for 2 hours, being with the preschoolers is not a problem (I am a preschool teacher already) :) My problem is comming up with what to charge for my class. The way it works is town gets 25% and I get 75% of the income and I have to buy the supplies from that. Im thinking of charging 60$ for 4 2 hour classes, these classes will have many hands on art experiment times, a finished project, and also a time of story telling and finger rhymes. If anyone out there has done anything like this please give me input and share your experiences! :) :) :)
*I hope someone looks at this the board seems a lil slow* :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
-Maureen (taximom)

[Jakeally]

Hi Maureen Welcome to the forum :) Yep we are a little slow but someone usually comes along in a couple of days. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :D

[Bev Brandt]

Hi Maureen!

This is absolutely my first post to WetCanvas and I've lurked here for quite some time. I hope I do this right...

I'm interested in your post because I want to be an elementary art teacher (going to school for that right now,) I have a preschooler (well, I have 3 children, but just one is in preschool now, the others are older) and I think what you're doing sounds like fun, fun, fun! Heheh...fun for both the kids and the teacher.

The preschool my youngest attends has a "preschool P.E." teacher come by once a week. The teacher brings various sports equipment and puts together short games for the little ones. Not the same as art, but she charges just about what you're going to charge - $7-$8 an hour per child if I did my math right. My little guy just loves it and enthusiastically talks about the games on "Jump Bunch" day, so it's well worth it from a mom's point of view.

I think your price is right. You sound like you know what you're doing when it comes to working with the preschool set like mixing in stories and play. Are you going to have help? Is this a part of a daycare program? That's the only thing I can think of that might be an issue - if you have a load of little ones and it's only you. You might not get much done...

Ah, sometimes I wish I was still in preschool.

- Bev

[taximom]

Thank You jakeally for the reply. It is so much fun I get paided to play with finger paint.
I may be alone for this class but, at my other job at the preschool I have an aid.Good luck with school I always wanted to go back but never did. :) :) :)

[Art C. Barber]

Hello taximom and all, I'm new here as well. :clap:

I can tell you that I'll be roaming this board for awhile. I've been an Art Teacher in North Carolina for 4 years, but due to demand I'm out of the field at the moment.

I really wish I could help with your question, but to tell the truth it is out of my range to make an assesment. I've worked with elementary kids mostly in public schools (K-5), and even 2 years with Juvenile Delienquents. :evil: Needless to say, that's a wide range but yet I haven't taught pre schoolers!

I would say that your pay rates are about what's typical in the public settings throughout the country(U.S). But let me caution you about spending too much on supplies. Don't buy too much, but try to be as resourceful as possible or else....nuff said....

It is a common occurance not only for Art Educators but teachers in general to go over budget in supplies and dip into their own pockets. Pre-schooler's motor skills are only so good, so you won't have to buy many supplies. I think the last post was on the right track with her figures. It seemed fair with all considered....

I could write a book on the INS and OUTS of Art Education in the public and private sectors. Unfortunately I don't have time for that right now, but will stay plugged in to this board for the vast amount we can all learn from each other....

I wish you success and fun in your future endeavors...talk to you soon.

P.S. I've asked to change my handle to Art C. Barber, so you might see that later...Don't worry it's still me.

[BerthaMae]

HI taximom;
I'm in the same boat as you; I will be giving my first art class tomorrow (gulp!) to a small group of pre-teens.
I'm in Canada, and based my rate on a survey of other kids' classes; it seemed to break down to about $7 - $8 per hour per child. I'm charging $80 Canadian for 4 - 3 hour classes, and everybody seems to think that's a good price.
As far as the teaching part goes, I've got a lot of material, and will just go with the flow. I think it's important that the students have something to show at the end of each class, so the last hour will be play time, where they can work on their own projects and hopefully apply what I've taught.
It sounds as if you're on the right track. I'd be really interested to know how you make out; best of luck!
BerthaMae

[becky2]

I am a pre school teacher and always charge what the parents can easily afford no more than 15-20 per child. Its a good idea to have supplies that your parents can bring. Have them bring their own supplies

[vanityfaire]

That is exactly what I charge for my classes. I don't put any restrictions on if they miss a class, but mine are set up as ongoing. I found that if I bought art paper at Molly Hawkins it was excellent quality and the cost was around 55. for 500 sheet 18x 24. Paper goes quick. good luck and let us know how it goes. Vanity Faire :)

[Collgall]

Hi Maureen, I'm new too ;)
I teach a children's art class in my home (1st-3rd graders), once a week for 4 weeks, each class is an hour, and I charge $45.
I teach another class to 4th-8th Graders once a week for 6 weeks and charge $70. Your prices sound very fair, I wish you a lot of luck with it :)

I just started teaching in my home this summer, and as a stay at home mom, its a great way to make a little $$ and get to keep up with my art at the same time. I never thought that I would like teaching, but I LOVE it! :)

BTW, there are some really terrific projects and ideas at kinderart.com :)

[alibean]

I am looking into starting my classes up in the fall for K-6th graders at home. I am in the NY metro area and I will be charging about $15-18/per class (1 hour). Collgall, (or anyone else), I was interested in what kind of setup you have and how many kids per class you have. Also, what supplies did you get to start with - I don't want to get too much, but yet I don't want to run out of anything, or keep running out for supplies. I would appreciate your expertise!

Thanks,
Ali :)