YASP
A few months ago I taught a computing arts class to kids between the ages of 11-14, for the Young Artist Studio Program (YASP) at CCA. Basically Junior High kids, which in my experience has always been the most difficult age to teach. Attention spans are limited, hormones are raging and attitudes are being modified to a level of cocky and carefree that is only recognizable because I too behaved the same way once. A LONG TIME AGO.
I was given a teaching assistant (a guy names Ash) and I was quite surprised by that. At first I thought it was silly and that there would be no need. But after about the first hour of the first day, I realized I needed this guy like a bee needs honey. Thank god he was there! It's difficult to be in ten places at the same time, and I usually had at least six students who wanted help simultaneously.
This week I was approached by Jon Rubin to be a part of the Independent School of Art. One of the things I like most about the ISA is that they include 'students of all ages, levels of experience, and disciplines'. This is an idea I have always been interested in, and I'm really looking forward to being part of a group like that.
It made me think of some of my students from YASP. On the second last day of the program, all students had an exhibition of their work. We spent all day installing projects in the gallery and then at 4:30 all the parents arrived. I said hello to some of my student's families and then walked around to see what other classes had done. In the back of the space was the black and white photography class. I walked from one end of the wall to the other, but I got to one image in particular and stopped in my tracks. It was an image of a young girl, bundled up in a blanket, lying on a couch. She looked very small in scale compared to the couch, and her expression was sad and distant. I looked to see who had done it, and it was one of my favorite students from my class. The image really moved me, and I felt I had a glimpse into who this student of mine was. I thought about how an adult couldn't have take a photo like this. There was a trust between the photographer and this girl on the couch that was palpable through the image.
I went looking for her, because I wanted to congratulate her on the photograph. I found her with her mom, and told how much I liked the image. She is pretty shy, and was really surprised but happy to hear me say it. She kept looking at her shoes and smiling. But I thought it was essential that she know she did good work. The next day in class, she asked me why I liked the photo so much, and I told her that it made me sad and I thought it was really beautiful.
I am thinking of her now, as I am about to embark on a semester with the ISA. I wonder if there will be people like that. People who will blow me away, and challenge the way I think about the world.
I was given a teaching assistant (a guy names Ash) and I was quite surprised by that. At first I thought it was silly and that there would be no need. But after about the first hour of the first day, I realized I needed this guy like a bee needs honey. Thank god he was there! It's difficult to be in ten places at the same time, and I usually had at least six students who wanted help simultaneously.
This week I was approached by Jon Rubin to be a part of the Independent School of Art. One of the things I like most about the ISA is that they include 'students of all ages, levels of experience, and disciplines'. This is an idea I have always been interested in, and I'm really looking forward to being part of a group like that.
It made me think of some of my students from YASP. On the second last day of the program, all students had an exhibition of their work. We spent all day installing projects in the gallery and then at 4:30 all the parents arrived. I said hello to some of my student's families and then walked around to see what other classes had done. In the back of the space was the black and white photography class. I walked from one end of the wall to the other, but I got to one image in particular and stopped in my tracks. It was an image of a young girl, bundled up in a blanket, lying on a couch. She looked very small in scale compared to the couch, and her expression was sad and distant. I looked to see who had done it, and it was one of my favorite students from my class. The image really moved me, and I felt I had a glimpse into who this student of mine was. I thought about how an adult couldn't have take a photo like this. There was a trust between the photographer and this girl on the couch that was palpable through the image.
I went looking for her, because I wanted to congratulate her on the photograph. I found her with her mom, and told how much I liked the image. She is pretty shy, and was really surprised but happy to hear me say it. She kept looking at her shoes and smiling. But I thought it was essential that she know she did good work. The next day in class, she asked me why I liked the photo so much, and I told her that it made me sad and I thought it was really beautiful.
I am thinking of her now, as I am about to embark on a semester with the ISA. I wonder if there will be people like that. People who will blow me away, and challenge the way I think about the world.
Me, Ash and my student
1 Comments:
Your student will remember your compliment for ever. Teachers who give positive feedback when it is deserved are instrumental in changing lives. Bravo Madam Teacher.
Post a Comment
<< Home