Esther Tubbs

An Art Teacher’s Thoughts

by Esther M. Tubbs, TaWS

© Copyright 2014

Teaching drawing and painting is one of the favorite things I have loved to do. There is something that happens when I see a student get that “Oh, that’s it! I’ve got it!” look on their face and then see them begin to create a successful drawing or painting project as they apply what they have learned.  Can any art teacher see that result in their students? The answer is a enthusiastic, yes!” So thought I would share some guidelines I have used with you that I have learned through the years. They may be points that you have utilized in your own teaching or maybe you will see some ideas you can develop that will help you move forward in some new ways.

How much of this information that I have gathered should I share with my students? That is a valid question. All of us have been so excited about our subject that we end up of giving so much that the students either tune us out or get confused. I had to learn to be careful to keep in the parameters of what I was to teach and exclude things that are not a part of the subject matter for that day. Making another list of what you want to share for another time will help you focus in on what you are to teach now plus give you a resource of ideas for future classes.

Here is where formulating a teaching plan comes in. My goal is to keep my outlines simple, precise and to the point.  I always list a purpose and goal for each class, outline the material pertinent to the subject I am to teach, list the teaching demonstrations plus the student hands-on projects that will put what is learned into “real time” for them. A list of handouts given in each class is also listed. I have often found as I get up to teach and stay in the outline and notes of my assigned instruction, that the Lord begins to highlight what He wants me to emphasize and I go ahead and bring that forth.  Doing that as a Christian takes faith and growing in the teaching anointing for me.  Often I have taught the same series of classes to another group but different things are brought forth so that those who listen receive new insights. Other times the class as a whole does not move as fast as I had intended. So there is room for flexibility in that I have to go back and adjust my teaching plans for the next class to include review as well as to go ahead introduce the next project without crowding things for them. A challenge? Yes, but it can be done.

It is not wrong to keep track of time as we teach. Usually art classes are 1 ½ hours long so it is very important to both the teacher and the students to keep all instruction and demos, plus the student projects within that time frame. When we follow the above instructions we will not bring confusion but clarity, which will result in a positive student response to the learning process

Last, but not least, there is the all-important issue of interaction between the teacher and student(s). An enthusiastic, caring instructor will strongly impact and connect with those they are teaching. One of the things I do at the beginning of each class series is what I call my “sermonette” that always gives rise to chuckles from the students. I simply tell them that I did not want to hear: “I am not good at this, or so-and-so is better than me, etc. ‘ad nauseum’ “ I add that being negative shuts down their creativity and I do care for them therefore I will kindly remind them by speaking life to them when I hear those negative remarks. Saw changes in students who quit their negativity and saw their work begin to improve. I spend lots of time walking around the student tables speaking positive things in their work that I see and then offering corrections along with the encouragement that they are doing well.

Finally, in order to see their students move forward, it is imperative for an art instructor to realize that it is truly not all about them, showcasing their work or expertise but it is all about building the creative wonder of the visual arts into the lives of those we teach so they can multiply and grow in their craft. In this way I take my responsibility as a teacher from the Lord seriously and the results are freedom, and joy as I saw students discover and develop their creative talents that will, in turn, bless and give beauty to all those around them. Those who love teaching love to build what we have learned in our students and that fulfills the mandate to pass on to others what we have so it can be multiplied in future generations.