Artist? Want To Teach?

[terriv]

Mississippi is making requirement changes due to the lack of teachers available for public school. Under the new program, anyone with a degree in a discipline can teach that subject as a certified teacher after passing the teacher's exam for that that subject. A degree in education will no longer be required to teach in public schools.

If you are an artist with a desire to teach, Mississippi desperately needs teachers.

FYI

[bmac]

Are there any other incentives for teachers to come to Mississippi? I'm afraid Arkansas has a teacher shortage also and I expect it to get worse over the next few years if things incentives do not improve. Right now, the area that I work has 2 art teacher job openings. (2 out of 5 jobs in this area)

[terriv]

Not that I know of but I'm only reading the paper.

Northeastern Arkansas? Why in the world would you ever want to leave? If I ever leave here, I am moving there.

One of my favorite websites, Ozark Tour:
http://wpni01.auroraquanta.com/pv/oz...630&img=208 9

Jasper Arkansas is about the center of heaven in my opinion.

[bmac]

I believe you are mistaking Northeastern Arkansas for Northwestern Arkansas. I am not in the Ozarks, I am in the Delta. I would love to move to Northwestern Arkansas, or Central Arkansas. But I don't think I will be going anywhere anytime soon...maybe when I retire? This area is very flat with lots of cotton fields. (Near the area where John Grishams' A Painted House was based on and filmed.) It does have some nice areas, but I prefer hills.

[purplelizard]

FYI - Texas is doing the same thing to bring in more teachers. Sad......but our pay stinks. If you're bilingual (spanish), there are financial incentives.

Just thought I'd share.....

[pencilnpen]

Oklahoma is that way also, awful pay - most the graduates go to .... Texas .... for the higher pay - I am majoring in art with the intent to get certified to teach. The professors here say we have the strictest laws and the lowest pay - after reading here, and listening to professors, you definately don't go into teaching for the money....

Robin

[purplelizard]

Hey pencilnpen! If you decide to teach, you will never be bored! I'm wrapping up my first year as an art teacher, and I love it! This is my second career, the one I wanted in the first place - and I have no regrets. You're right, you don't do this for the money. You do it for the sheer joy you bring it brings to the kids school day! I get "paid" so much in a different way - but, if I were a single mom, it would be REALLY hard. I'd need a second job.

When you go into teaching, feel free to PM me with any questions about budget, supplies, classroom management, whatever you run into! If I don't know the answer, I'll make one up!

Sad, isn't it? And an incredible irony of our culture - those who are charged to protect (law enforcement) and those who teach (our doctors had to learn from us) are paid the least.

Good luck on finishing up your degree!!

[pencilnpen]

Thanks for the welcome- I will keep you in mind when I start student teaching, right now I am enjoying this part of Wet Canvas- as a kid art was always what got me in trouble more times than I can count - you know the routine - the kid that is supposed to be doing math, and drawing horses instead- really got embarassed alot of the time- once the substitute nailed me for that and embarrased me in front of the whole class... didn't stop drawing though- that was back in the 60's... took me this long to decide what I wanted to do 'when I grew up'

Robin

[Mamola]

I have been reading these posts with great interest.

I am seeking a job as an art teacher (K-12) in Texas. I'm an intern in an alternative teacher certification program, never having taught art in schools.
I will be taking some education classes thru July, then hopefully begin teaching in a school in August.

I have a few questions for those out there who are already art teachers in schools.

I graduated from college years ago and the portfolio I had created for my art education classes has disappeared. I will soon be interviewing for teaching jobs and wonder what should go in my "portfolio". I prefer to teach K-6 grades and any tips, thoughts, and assistance will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
Mamola

[purplelizard]

mamola - welcome!!

Beware, WC ("wet canvas" for newbies) is addictive! This is a wonderful resource!

I'm at home and my portfolio is in my classroom - I will tell you EXACTLY what's in it when I get there tomorrow! - i came out of an art education program last year w/all level certification in Texas, and I can tell you what principals, in broad general terms, are looking for.

To get you started, I have (not in this order - I'll give that to you tomorrow) - your resume, art education philosophy, examples of students' work (digital or regular photos in nice photo sleeves) w/ the lesson plans you used for that work, examples of your own work (photos), and the TEKS for each grade level - since that's a big deal. If your lesson plans are cross-curricular, all the better for you! If not, write some!! Only include lesson plans for jobs you are interviewing for - I would pull out my high school plans when I went on elementary interviews.

When I get to school tomorrow, I will PM you the exact contents. Meanwhile, check out this website: http://finearts.esc20.net

This is the Region 20 (San Antonio area) website for arts education. You will find many resources on links for lesson plans, assessment, the TEKS by grade level, etc. VERY helpful - I use it almost daily.

Good luck on finishing up school - and I'll get you the rest of the info Wed.

[Mamola]

I really appreciate it! There are 40 students in the group and 3 of us who are art teachers.
This is a great forum and I appreciate your input, Kristen.
Regards
Jennifer