Comments on: My Top Teaching Secrets

By: chris

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 16:48:54 +0000

you mention stopping an interupter–how????

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 15:28:42 +0000

In reply to Sue Betanzos.

Sue: You definitely need patience and kind understanding.

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By: Sue Betanzos

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:12:03 +0000

This is such a timely post because I have just been asked to teach an adult art class (mosaic). I would like to try giving a class, see how it goes, but too much studio time has left my people skills a little rusty.
While I have experience teaching kids in all grades as a substitute, teaching adults intimidates me.
Maybe I won’t have the patience for folks who ask questions of the very thing that was just explained and I’ll wonder if it was explained in Super Simple terms, steps etc.

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By: William Hagerman

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 14:58:21 +0000

The words of Susan Mark resonate with me about giving encouragement to students and I’ve always tried to do that. I was 15 years old when I taught my first art classes. And for many years during most of my 20’s and early 30’s I taught a weekly group at a senior citizens center. Sadly most have passed on but I loved that group. It was like having multiple grandmothers and grandfathers. However, what Alyson said about managing the room and the class being dependent on you to be in charge as well as controlling the energy of the room at one point I felt I was losing control. Some were complaining and thought I didn’t spend enough time helping them but when I explained they were doing so well on their painting I didn’t have to come in and help fix anything. They hadn’t even considered that and then they were happy again. Then some suggested using a timer so everyone had exactly equal time and I said that won’t work either. I said they would be even more upset if that timer goes off and it wasn’t enough time to help get them out of a painting bind. They didn’t realize I was giving to each according to their needs at the time and it varies from week to week, but they all got help and it balances out. Perhaps it was the age difference. So as an exercise I had everyone in the class make a 9 step gray scale using white and blank paint in order to learn values. I was able to make it look pretty effortless. They struggled!! After that I didn’t get any more complaints about not getting enough help or time management of the class. I think I reestablished my authority as a teacher and that I knew what I was doing. The mood of the entire class then returned to it’s happy atmosphere. It was a joy to be there.
Yes, you do learn as you teach, but you do have to establish yourself as an authority or at least minimally convey you know what your talking about, otherwise the class will suffer and produce a mood that’s not conducive to learning and that’s no fun for either the teacher or student.

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By: Paula Moore

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 04:10:59 +0000

Excellent article, Alyson! I received my mentor’s sage advice when I shared my desire to teach art classes & thinking I wasn’t qualified to do so. She said, “You’re ready. Just start teaching what you know.” I took the plunge & am now in my 3rd yr of teaching. I continue to learn from my students & know my skills are improving too. I like to have packets, name tags etc, ready…even to the personal small trash bag masking taped at their station. I like to get everyone involved with quick intros & telling me their goal to take away from the workshop…..Which gives me a clue what to focus on each student. We go over the itinerary for the day. To keep myself on task, I have a small clock on my station not really noticeable to them, Try to stick to the plan with some flexibility. Near the end, have a positive gallery showing. Brief discussion about their “take-away” thoughts. Also share your next workshop subject matter & sign up sheet.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 02:30:59 +0000

In reply to Barbara Chappelle.

Barbara: So nice to have a mentor like Rebecca. Sounds like there are some students just waiting for you.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 02:30:05 +0000

In reply to Susan Purney Mark.

Susan: Great insight! That they’re not always coming to learn.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 02:29:17 +0000

In reply to Rebecca Crowell.

Rebecca: It’s great to have small groups in order to do this. Harder to do in a room of 60-100. 🙂

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By: Michael Gillespie

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:55:36 +0000

I teach a college class and nearly everything you said applies. Except for the online teaching part, my students are way more tech savvy than I am, even the older ones.

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By: Barbara Chappelle

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:01:36 +0000

After having taught elementary kids on and off for 42 years, I left teaching to focus on my artwork. That was 6 years ago, and during that time, I’ve been approached on many occasions to teach oil/wax workshops. Rebecca Crowell was responsible for my journey back to oils, with the addition of wax, and I am so grateful for her teaching and guidance. During the past 6 months, I have felt the urge to ‘teach’ again, and having given a couple of short demos, I feel I am mentally ready to lead a workshop. Thank you for this article, Alyson, and thank you for all the comments, folks. These thoughts take me back in time……. a room full of kids is not very different from a room full of adults, in many ways.

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