My first *5 WEEKS of Student Teaching

A "Teachable*Moment" leads to the "Last*Child"

I am in the process of my part-time student teaching at Dakota High School in Macomb Township, Michigan.  My cooperating teacher is Mrs. Debra Groth.  She is an amazingly caring, helpful, and talented mentor and I am very *blessed* to have her guiding me on my path to becoming an Art Teacher. 

 

At Dakota High School, the Art Curriculum is predominantly photography (digital and manual).   Three out of five hours are devoted to teachng photography.  I have only had *one* photography class my entire career at Wayne State University.  It is comforting to see words of wisdom outside Mrs. Groth's classroom door which read, "Step outside your comfort zone each and every day".

Everyday I walk into Mrs. Groth's room, I feel like I am swallowing her words of wisdom and for that I know I am *growing*.  The students are so insightful and I soak in every moment I spend in the classroom because I learn so much from them.

Today, I experienced a teachable moment. 

A teachable moment is an unplanned opportunity that arises in the classroom where a teacher has an *perfect* opportunity to offer insight to his or her students.  A teachable moment is not something that you can plan for; rather, it is a fleeting opportunity that must be sensed and seized by the teacher.

In Art Foundations, the students are working on an exercise dealing with concepts such as negative/positive space and rhythm and pattern.  The objectives of the exercise are:  1) The students will create their own "aesthetically pleasing" pattern with line and 2) The students will create negative/positive space using black india ink while leaving selected areas white. 

On Wednesday, I noticed that many students were having difficulty with this concept.  I believe that first and foremost, many did not understand the assignment.  Secondly, I believe they thought there was a "right vs. wrong" solution or formula that they needed to follow, a "end-all*be-all".  So I worked with Lexi who was having difficulty.  She threw out her first attempt.  She was frustrated.  It was getting close to the end of the hour and after much frustration I thought it'd be best that we pick up her "frustrations"...together, the following day.  I could sense she needed a "break" from her first attempt. 

Today, to my surprise, Lexi approached me.  She was eager to take on the exercise together, once again.  I offered a few suggestions, and she quickly understood what I was suggesting and eagerly began painting in her design.  I walked away because I believed it was the "right" moment.  A few minutes later, I looked up and noticed all the students were crowding near the door, impatiently waiting for the bell to ring to approve of their dismissal.  I look over and I see Lexi, "the last child"...not aware of time, space, or the other students...all that exists are *self*and*creativity*...this is why I teach.