The most unique aspect of being a visual artist is the expectation of also being a teacher. While musicians are expected to play in live concerts and authors are expected to host book signings, artists are often asked to teach regular classes or workshops and share their craft. Artists also resort to teaching to earn a living. Whereas a singer or author could sign a contract and get an advance payment from a publisher, most artists rely on teaching classes if their paintings or sculptures do not sell for high dollars one at a time.
Since 2021, I have been a classroom elementary teacher after my pursuit of a museum career lost its luster. I was inspired by the term ‘essential workers’ during the pandemic and watched as these people held our American society together. I was inspired by my grandmother, Myrtle, who was a science teacher and her sisters, Ruby and Marie, who were pre-school owners. I moved to Tulsa, OK in 2021 from North Texas right after the pandemic, and the ‘Big Texas Freeze’, and stepped into my first classroom. Tulsa was a whirlwind of scamming and sexual harassment, so I moved back to Texas and worked as a substitute while living with dysfunctional family. In 2022, I was hit by a van running a ran light which totaled my car which broke my glasses against my face which took me out of the classroom for a bit. In 2023, I spent the summer and the start of the school year dealing with a volatile family member in my household and getting a protective against him which was a huge distraction from applying to schools at the start of the school year. I was also rejected from Teach for America at this time. It’s 2024 and I am now firmly back in the classroom pulling from all that I have ever learned as an artist from the last six years to grow into a better teacher.
Though I have only been teaching since 2021, I’m not a ‘rookie’ teacher in the stereotypical sense and that’s because I’m also a 39yo artist. Manning vendor booths, teaching workshops, creating kids’ art zones, developing art activities for all ages, etc. are experiences I pull from daily to help guide me as a classroom teacher.
I also have the unique perspective that I was seriously committed to an extracurricular in the arts (outside of visual art) for my entire youth. I was a ballet student from pre-school through college, culminating in a BFA in dance. So, not only has being a visual artist helped me become a better teacher, having an extracurricular helped me when I was a student.
Having ballet as my extracurricular meant I had an outlet for excess energy and a goal outside of myself on which to focus. It meant I saw my body from a scientific and artistic perspective early on in life which spared me from particular body insecurities as a teen or young adult. Extracurriculars took up huge amounts of my time, so it meant I had to keep my grades up and manage my time professionally to get everything done. As a shy, introverted youth, dance classes and recitals pushed me beyond my comfort zone socially and helped me to grow a voice. While not every aspect of dancing ballet was enjoyable growing up, it gave me a sense of pride and joy while adding unique adventures and friendships to my life I would not have had otherwise.
When I meet children who cannot sit still or properly in their seat, talks out, acts up, or roams the class, my first question is, ‘what do you do after school? Do you play a sport, an instrument, or participate as a member of a club?’. I start contacting parents about local, structured and strenuous extracurricular options on their budget. The first step to behavioral issues is growing the child’s village to include coaches, instructors, castmates, or teammates while giving them a positive outlet for their energy and need for attention. The arts has shaped the way I view the classroom and it gives me tools to use as a teacher.
I’m not saying this to brag, although hyping myself up is not a crime. I’m saying extracurriculars save lives and artists are teachers too.
Have a Pleasant Day!
-Rae
