About Teaching Art

There have been several emails over the past few months asking for advice on teaching. Fresh from last Sunday's class at the Ink Pad, it seems a good time to begin to answer that question.

If you've taken a class with me, you may have noticed that I love to teach. I've "taught" 2 year olds all the way through to senior citizens and the common denominator is inspiration. To learn, students need to feel inspired, yes? 

Whether you are teaching math or art, inspiration is the central motivator. If you are passionate (inspired) about your subject the excitement spreads and suddenly hellz-a-poppin. 

Thorough, and I mean OCD level thorough, preparation is really important. You can have the coolest ideas, techniques and all the inspiration in the world but if you haven't planned the pace and the explanations, your students will glaze over. You've lost them.

(and I thank you, Sunday Student, for asking that the bookbinding demo be split into two parts). Which brings me to the last topic point for today: Listen To Your Students

Listen to your Students

Your students are your divining rod. Let them lead you, not the other way around. That sounds convuluted after advising you to prepare thoroughly for your class but teaching art is an organic, creative process for me. I make sure that the points planned have been covered but there is always flexibility in my curriculum and that is where listening to your students comes into play.

If you are thoroughly prepared and knowledgeable about your subject, you can allow the creativity and skill level of your class to guide you. Sometimes reigning back on techniques and pushing forward in experimentaion. This varies from student to student so you'll need your track shoes. 

Teaching art is exhilarating. The world really needs fabulous teachers so let's support that.  I'm adding a new category on this topic so it will come up from time to time. Questions and tips are welcome and will add to the pool of resources here.

I'll go into more detail about each of these three topics over time. PS: I took these photos at the tacket stitch class on Sunday. They are all student work. 

Comments

[doris]

Lovely article, Diane. You are so right. Know your subject so you.can play. :-)

[Mary C. Nasser]

Wonderful post, Diana!
So true! :) You describe the teaching process so articulately!

[Daniela]

Great post. I think your emphasis on preparation is spot on. And the interesting thing is that when a teacher is prepared and enthusiastic, it is easy to credit her talent alone. In fact being thoroughly prepared, as you put it "OCD level thorough" is skill all its own. To find an enthusiastic artist who is also thorough and generous with her knowledge is a blessing!

[Wendy @ the Late Start Studio]

Yes, yes, yes, for ALL teaching. Know your stuff, be prepared, be responsive, be generous, have fun and love what you do or get out and make room for someone who does!

One day I will attend one of your classes as I think I am guaranteed to learn and laugh!

[Aloquin]

Very true, Diana! I personally am not a math person (ick!), but if I had had a class in school where the teacher had been passionate and made the topic fun and interesting, I am certain I would have been excited about math. It is not necisarilly (sp?) "what" you teach, but "how" yoi teach it. I agree with the comment above- make way for those who WANT to teach :)

I would LOVE to take one of your classes, too!

[Diana Trout]

Thats it, Doris! That is what comes of building craft.

[Diana Trout]

Thanks, Mary. Ive done much thinking about it over the years

[Diana Trout]

Yes, Daniela. A great respect for teaching as an artform and craft in itself is truly necessary. Thanks.

[Diana Trout]

Yes, loving to teach is the important thing. You must really care about your students and their success. Success=confidence. If we ever do actually meet, Wendy, you could probably show me a thing or two :)

[Diana Trout]

Math is hard for me too, Aloquin. It always seemed so dry until I found geometry (which I love!). It would be very good to find you in a class someday! Thanks

[Wendy @ the Late Start Studio]

Change the 'if' to 'when' although I don't know when but I'm determined . . . :)

[Judy Hackley]

Loved your article,now how about the on line class. Seeing what your students are making makes me want to do this class more.

Thanks

[[email protected]]

I was in your watercolor quilt class at Journalfest a few years back and you were prepared and spontaneous; supportive and inspiring. I'm not surprised you would begin writing about the art of teaching. It's another art you embody.

[Nancy Lee]

Well, I wish I lived near you to take an art class!
I retired 3 yrs. ago after teaching first & second grade and fours for 33 yrs.!
Keep the pics coming, too!

[Diana Trout]

Its coming, Judy! A couple of months ... itll be the 2nd in the bookbinding series :)

[Diana Trout]

Thank you so much for your comment. Teaching really does feel like my highest mission ...

[Diana Trout]

Hug a teacher today! Wow 33 years. I love the little ones - every summer I get a chance to work with them at our local library. A blast!

[Diana Trout]

and wouldnt I just LOVE to visit NZ

[Sue]

I've been to a variety of painting classes and workshops over the years - it's actually quite difficult to find someone who teaches painting (fine arts) who 'can teach' and 'can paint'. I've learned not to choose to attend classes by looking at the teachers work, attending a demonstration generally gives me a better idea of their techniques, their communication skills and their teach methods. I was lucky I found a brilliant teacher who can do both :-)