Sooo i met the art teacher....

Unfortunately, last Wednesday, I decided it would be a good idea to go check out the art room, and meet the art teacher.  I was lucky enough to meet a fifth grader on my way into the school who volunteered as I inquired in the office with the downtrodden, unfriendly receptionists who choose to pretend that I don't exist when I walk in to sign in, grab a visitor pass, and say good morning.  Despite the attitude of the two secretaries, I will continue to say good morning, every morning, until i get a response.  After waiting patiently for some time, I asked where the art room was, and the receptionist told me "downstairs" and that Ciara would take me there.  The young girl eagerly accepted the opportunity to show me to the art room, and asked me a million and one questions concluding with "We have a lot of volunteers come through here, but you're my favorite."  I was all smiles, amazed with how good a fifth graders comment could make me feel at 9am on a Wednesday morning- it was just what I needed.  When we reached the art room, the art teacher was waiting at the head of the line of a group of fifth graders for them to be silent before she opened the door.  At the rate she was going, they could have all been standing at the door for the whole period and it would have never reached full silence.  Everyone turned to stare at me and I put my finger to my lips to say shhh in a friendly way, and viola! silence!  I was told that the art teacher did not have class, but she had "art club" which I found out from Ciara while we waited for the class to settle down.  The teacher glanced at me, but with a roll of her eyes ignored me and proceded into the room.  The student and I were the last into the room, and she marched me up to the teacher and properly introduced me with a big smile on her face.  "This is Miss Bianca, she's a volunteer".  For the first time the art teacher looked at me and then back to the young girl.  "Wonderful, have a seat Ciara" she said.
Again, she preceded to clean up her desk without looking at me so I said, very friendlily, "Hi, I'm Bianca, I'm a V.I.P.S volunteer studying art education, and I just wanted to introduce myself and check out your room (My Teacher) said last week that you were available during this time, and would be willing to talk to me or let me look around"
She again, made a face, and said "Yeah, I mean whatever, feel free to look around, but there's not much to look at". 
I instead said thank you to the teacher and to Ciara who whispered on my way out "Sorry, she's always so cranky".  I said not to worry about it and that I'd be back another day.

The walls were bare, and not to mention that the art room, like most schools, was located in the basement/bottom floor of the school so the atmosphere was immediately darker.  She made no effort to decorate the room, or the large metal, prison looking cabinates where she stored most of the supplies.   It's an elementary art class room for god's sake.
She was clearly not enjoying her job, and clearly hostile to new teachers.  From my understanding, she acts this way towards all of the art education students, perhaps a sense of hostility towards us with all of the tensions about losing teaching jobs to younger more enthusiastic teachers, but who knows.  All I know is that this woman is one that the school systems can benefit from losing. 

The room's condition called to mind the "setting up your classroom" article we read.  All simple organizational techniques were nowhere to be found.  There was no color, no displayed student work as encouragement.  Orenstien's article was also ringing loud and clear in my head.  Where are the posters of artists or their work? Artists of any gender at this point? How are children supposed to be inspired when there is no material for them to draw from?  The fact that my experience with this woman was the same as a number of others in the Art Education program makes me even angrier.  It's not even that this woman had a bad day, or is upset because of the outcome of the school being closed.  Day in and day out, she is cranky, and unhappy in her position.  Anyone who is passionate about what they do makes it clear in their workspace.  My studio in particular is covered with work and inspirational pieces for the time being.  Things are always shifting, being added, taken away and especially at the elementary level, i feel like creativity is really important.  Most of these kids didn't even know that you could go to school for art when I told them what my major was!  I found out in talking to one of my 'problem children' that he really enjoys graffiti and color murals that are so artfully rendered that you feel like you're falling into them.  I brought him some pictures from a graffiti book, and told him a little bit about it, and tried to foster that love of art, color, and expression in him.  At least if he doesn't like history, he can be like me and finish the schooling experience to go onto college and pursue something he really enjoys like graphic design- something a lot of graffiti lovers go on to pursue.