Helping Out in a Classroom

For my job, I currently work in a high school as an art technician. What this entails is getting equipment ready for lessons, firing clay, tidying up spaces, ordering materials, etc. However, I also volunteer in some of the lessons and help out the teachers as well. Back when I was in 6th form at this high school, as part of my enrichment lessons, I also helped out in lessons, and I think is what started me on the path of wanting to be an art teacher.

When helping out in lessons, I normally go round the room and look through people’s sketchbooks, asking them about their thought process. I then give them opinions and suggestions on what to do next, or ideas for final pieces. I also helped out with some of the younger years, helping them draw and teaching about proportion to individual students who needed a bit of extra help. I really loved helping students, so I decided that this was the path I wanted to go down. I think this was also when I decided that I wanted to explore childhood and the younger years when it came to art. I find that around year 9 and 10 is when you either embrace your creativity with art, or let it take the backseat compared to other subjects. There are the few individuals that shine doing both, but I mainly wanted to explore just the ‘arty’ side within my practice.

Doing this job, has made me a better artist, I can say that as matter of fact. It’s allowed me to learn so much more than as if I were just doing university. I know how to work an industrial kiln, as well as how to fix printing press. I now understand what goes on behind the curtain for teachers as well, which has given them even more respect from myself.

Finding a passion early on can really help motivate you on your creative journey, just like it did for me.