Preservice Division Column: Feb/Mar 2022

The columns for this issue of NAEA News were written prior to the 2022 National Convention. As such, you may find information about Convention sessions and references to past occurrences in the future tense.

Navigating Your Way to Student Teaching
I think I can speak for all upcoming art educators when I say that the words “student teaching” are daunting. Everyone always tells you how difficult it is and how little time you have for yourself. This stressed me out so much that I was TERRIFIED to start my placement. I’m here to give you some resources that can help you in your journey so you can walk into your student teaching role confident and prepared.

Explore
When I was in college, I was required to have a focus, which was essentially a minor in an art medium. I chose illustration, which consisted of drawing and painting for consumers. I realized that I chose something I was comfortable with rather than exploring as I should have. I later found printmaking, a medium that allowed me to create in a way I’ve never explored before. Quickly, I found myself taking multiple classes and finding a love for this medium. This allowed me to explore new ideas for my future classroom. Kids love playing with unusual materials because it’s new and exciting. When kids are excited, you have engagement, and with engagement, you have less trouble with classroom management.

Classroom Management
The cursed phrase “classroom management.” This was my most feared aspect of teaching. From teaching in a suburban high school to a rural middle school, classroom management became a huge culture shock, which led to me having to start from scratch—but that’s okay!! I learned to pick my battles and found what worked for my teaching style and the classroom I was teaching in. I learned the hard way that what works in one classroom might not work in another.

Your Cooperating Teacher Is the Key
There’s a reason you’re not thrown into teaching without student teaching first. Build a relationship with your cooperating teacher. Whether it be strictly professional or a friendship, it’s important to be on the same team as your CT. Follow their lead, ask questions, and come prepared. I was taught by my advisor to always show up early and stay late, show dedication and drive, and always come prepared with your lessons. This is the part where I freaked out about student teaching because that all sounds extreme, but it’s a routine. Work a little bit at each piece every day, and it’ll become a habit.

Boundaries
In student teaching, I pictured all-nighters, only eating on-the-go snacks, and acquiring a crippling caffeine addiction. Well, the caffeine addiction may be on point. I learned quickly that I needed to prioritize my health. It’s easy to fall into the pattern of overwork and neglected physical health. If you overwork yourself from the start, it’s much harder to find the balance of work and life as you move into your career. Yes, it’s hard work and yes, it can be exhausting, but remind yourself that you’re human. You’ll be a better teacher if you’re happy and healthy.

Not Sure Where to Start?
In 2020, NAEA published the Remote Learning Toolkit, designed with all educators and learners in mind, as an ever-growing resource to aid educators in teaching during the pandemic. Within this toolkit, you can find lesson plans, text and online resources, advice, new ideas, and more for each division. There are also sets of tips designed for different groups, including preservice and student teachers.

The Preservice team would also love to help guide you in the right direction! We would love to connect with you.

Contact Your Division Directors:

Director: Lynn Loubert: lynn.loubert@gmail.com
Director-Elect: Jesse Todero: jtode800@live.kutztown.edu

Contact Your Regional Representatives:

Pacific: Theresa Nguyen: theresa99nguyen@gmail.com
Southeastern: Alondra Averalo: aa37275@uga.edu
Western: Jasmine Floyd: floydjd@miamioh.edu
Eastern: Heather Larson: hfl2026@nyu.edu

Are You Registered for NAEA22?

Registration is open, and Preservice members receive the lowest rate! Be energized and inspired by colleagues from around the world as we connect live March 3–5 for the HYBRID 2022 NAEA National Convention. Keep an eye out for our Preservice sessions: “Preservice PechaKucha,” “Getting the Gig: Entering the Art Ed Profession,” “Getting the Gig: Mock Interviews,” and “Conversations With Colleagues: Welcome to Preservice! Tips, Guides, and Resources for Student Members.”

Lynn Loubert, Division Director
Student, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, Grand Rapids, MI. Tel: 989-492-5182.
Email: lynn.loubert@gmail.com

Elect:
Jesse Todero, Student, Kutztown University. Email: jtode800@live.kutztown.edu

Regional Directors:
Pacific: Theresa Nguyen, theresa99nguyen@gmail.com
Southeastern: Alondra Arevalo, aa37275@uga.edu
Western: Jasmine Floyd, floydjd@miamioh.edu
Eastern: Heather Larson, hfl2026@nyu.edu