Art is more than aesthetics; it's a universal language that speaks to the human soul. From cave paintings to digital masterpieces, art has been humanity's constant companion, offering a mirror to our experiences and a window to our imaginations. Art educators are the unsung heroes who shape the next generation of artists and innovative thinkers. But what happens when these educators are just starting their journey? Imagine a newly hired art teacher brimming with passion but overwhelmed by responsibilities: Which supplies will spark creativity without breaking the budget? How can one effectively teach a five-year-old and a teenager the same day? What does a well-rounded art curriculum look like in today's diverse and digital world?
Before becoming the CEO of Stapledon Arts, I taught and facilitated art experiences throughout diverse cities for over a decade. Yet most recently I served as a high school art educator in the New York City Public School System. I encountered a multitude of responsibilities that were challenging and often stressful. However, despite the trials and tribulations, I created an engaging classroom environment that fostered creativity, inclusivity, and self-expression among 15 to 19-year-olds. My experience as an art educator sparked the idea for Stapledon Arts. My journey as a teacher paved the way for my goal to inspire artists, both young and old. I produced vibrant, well-crafted skin-tone materials and paint kits that convey the rich, beautiful diversity showcased in marginalized communities. As I share my story, I hope to empower and guide new and current art educators in creating engaging, fun, and
flowing classrooms with vibrant ingenuity!
Journey to Becoming an Art Educator: My Personal Story
I have been creating art since the age of 4, so I'm a product of having access to art education in my schools and community centers, like my local Boys and Girls Club. When I went to undergrad, I studied Set Design. During one of my internships, I designed sets for children's theater, where I worked with young people. I guided them in creating props for their theater production – which was my introduction to being both a teacher and a facilitator of young people's creativity.
This helped me realize that I enjoyed working with children, which ultimately led me to pursue Art Education as a career. Before fully committing to Art Education, I did various things – such as community planning with beautification projects, murals, and mosaics. I worked with communities, families, and children in schools and recreational centers. After that, I became a teaching artist, popping into schools that didn't have art teachers. I would work with academic teachers to integrate art into their curriculum, along with running after-school programs. These experiences were my early phases in Art Education. Life's canvas sure is full of surprises!
"Navigating Challenges: A Guide from Pre-K to 12 Grade"
I've taught Pre-K through 12th grade in various settings. Out of all the ages, for me, Pre-K was the most challenging, primarily due to the children having separation anxiety—it's often students' first time away from their parents. In a big school, they're the smallest ones there. I once had a pre-k student who cried throughout every class, which was heartbreaking. When teaching all grades, particularly early childhood, I make sure to create routines for all students to become familiar with what to expect, facilitate short fun activities to help everyone get to know each other, and provide lessons for students to learn more about art vocabulary and techniques as they create. With this specific class I made sure to engage the troubled pre-k child individually each day and affirm her when she made progress. Though it was a rough start, by year's end, she was excited to come to the art room! I still remember my last day with this elementary school, all of my students gave me the sweetest group hugs and showed their gratitude in ways that older students just normally don’t.
On the other hand, teaching high school has been the most rewarding, and the age group I have taught the longest. At this age, art is often undervalued as test scores and college admissions take priority. High school years are filled with so much pressure and surmounting expectations amidst the tension of finding yourself, along with the temptations of wanting to fit in. Through the arts, I have had the honor to provide welcoming spaces for students to navigate their growing pains. Contrastingly, I’ve also intentionally curated spaces to preserve the childlike innocence of my adolescent and young adult students, so that they can savor their youth for just a little longer. These meaningful experiences transcend the creation of art alone, they were reinforced through group circles and discussions. Our conversations supported students in finding their voice, they had the opportunity to present and express themselves through talking about the art they created.
Having worked with both sides of the developmental spectrum, Pre-K and 12th Grade, I love that elementary students tend to show appreciation in very visible ways, yet I also enjoy the more intricate projects, deeper discussions, and fulfillment of working with adolescents and young adults.
That being said, here is my advice to new art educators and reminders for those returning to this beautiful work [Now Matter The Age]:
Stay inspired by your love of creating, get out there, and see some art and/or create for your enjoyment. Even if it means one-off moments
To remain sane, find a community, connect with colleagues within your building, join your regional art teacher associations, or find a group like Adding Voices that gets you!
Don’t just focus on the canon, incorporate contemporary artists from a variety of perspectives
And this one deserves its section — Listen to your students! It's easy to create a curriculum you love and want to enforce but be considerate of the students in front of you. Be open to students' innovative approaches—they might teach you something new. Get to know students individually. Wipe the scales from your eyes and avoid generalizations based on past experiences. Always be honest, share your experiences, and bond as a class!
Top Art Supplies You Need To Start The School Year
✨ We all want to supply a variety of art mediums, but you can never go wrong with drawing materials—your foundational easy-to-find supplies such as pencils, erasers, and paper. However, you can diversify those supplies by providing charcoal pencils, colored pencils, and different types of paper such as tan-tone and construction paper. You really can go deep into drawing materials so don’t limit yourself. Also try our brand new Melanin Series - Oil Pastels!
✨ Of course, my favorite medium is paint and there are various options like tempera, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and cool new acrylic markers (is it paint or is it a marker BOFF). Don’t forget to grab you a set of our Melanin Series - Acrylic Paints!
✨ You always want to offer 3D materials as well. Clay can be difficult if you don't have space for drying or have a kiln but you can always use paper and cardboard to turn 2D materials into 3D materials or use things such as wire. These are really good foundational materials.
✨ Finally, my least explored avenue for creating visual art — Digital Media. For beginners like me, there are tons of programs and apps on your phone (most of which my students put me on!) to create digital pieces of art.
Getting these art supplies will not just enhance your students' creativity, but yours as well. The most rewarding moments in my teaching career are when students express themselves and get excited about learning something new. And believe it or not, we can even make the basics feel new, such as teaching color theory through painting — mixing colors is always fun — especially when you don't give exact instructions yet rather use creative prompts!
My journey as an art educator demonstrates the transformative power of creativity in the classroom. By confronting the challenges educators face and bridging the gaps in art supplies, I've dedicated myself to supporting those who share the goal of nurturing a more inclusive and vibrant curriculum where representation can meet creativity. Art educators are not just teachers; they are guiding students to see themselves and their communities in a brighter light, which is then reflected in their art work. Each brushstroke and every creative decision contributes to a richer, more holistic experience. As you continue your own path in art education, remember that your passion and commitment are instrumental in bringing your students' imaginations to life, helping them to create a world where everyone is represented, included, and celebrated.
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