Yikes! Sorry guys, I didn't know I was going to take that long of a break from blogging. Then again, I didn't really know the stress levels of student teaching and working on a senior art project, all while pregnant would be! Yes, that's right, another little Shock baby is on the way :) We are having another little boy and I couldn't be more excited. So how did everything go you ask?
Student teaching was amazing. I was placed at an elementary school for my first seven weeks. My cooperating teacher was as sweet as can be and a very active member of the Virginia Art Educator Association, which I am a member. She convinced me to go to the annual conference being held in Roanoke, VA. I am so glad I did, what a fun experience being surrounded by art teachers! I got to get my hands dirty and play with supplies, and I even got some great freebies too. Teaching art to 600 elementary students can be a little exhausting. You have to have 5 different lessons ready since you teach 5 different grades and you only get 10 minutes or so between classes to get supplies ready for each class. Every day is an adventure! However those sweet little faces are easy to get attached to.
My second placement was at a middle school. I was totally freaked out about teaching middle schoolers. I have heard many teachers say that it takes a special kind of person to teach middle school. Then when I was walking through the halls and saw all the artwork that was just plain amazing, I was totally intimidated. Luckily I had the most amazing cooperating teacher. We both learned a lot from each other and I am totally hooked on middle school kids! I had the pleasure of teaching a lesson to the 7th graders and they were absolutely fabulous. They even made me a card and all the kids signed it with sweet comments. I totally felt the love! My supervisor, after observing me teach 3 middle school lessons, told me that he thinks I would be an excellent fit for a middle school. I can't disagree :)
My senior art project was complete misery. I chose a topic that I was not that into and I had absolutely no time to work on it. I had to write over 16 pages total for that project and I only ended up with 2 paintings instead of the 3 that I planned. I hated my work and I think it showed. I told the panel that I chose to focus my attention on my student teaching this semester, and it shows in my work, but I feel that I made the right choice. Ultimately I passed the class, so I survived, barely. Having to sit through 3 hours of criticism of my art and my peers, really made me feel like the art world can really be full of B.S. Art is very important, but the people who think they are in charge are really quite insane.
So that is it! I am done with school! I can hardly believe it. I don't get to walk the stage until next May since my school doesn't have a winter commencement. Ironically, my commencement date is 2 days after my due date. We may have a very climactic graduation ceremony! I still need to file my paperwork for getting my teaching licence, and once I get that I'm ready to teach. However, since baby boy is arriving in May, I'm not sure when my career is actually going to begin. I will probably be staying home with baby #2 just like I did with Fletch. Daycare prices around here is just plain bonkers, so I'd basically be working just to pay for daycare for 2 kids. No thanks. I will more than likely get my masters through an online program while I'm home with baby #2. We're still in sticker shock over my student loans, so we'll just have to wait and see about that!
Until May, I hope to be sewing more Etsy orders and other projects for Fletch and baby boy. We have a lot of re-arranging to do around here to make room for our new arrival. I'm hoping for a new cookbook to blog about for 2012 :) And I can't wait to pick my camera back up and get back to snapping! I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season and a very joyous new year! See you in 2012!
