If I am going to stay after work to help one teacher play around with clay, why not open it up to anyone who wants to come? I could teach them some basic hand building clay techniques, and show them where the kiln is and how to run it.
I took my idea to the principal, Karl Bowman, and he LOVED IT! He said he would offer re-certification credit to the teachers who signed up.
And so, the Arts Workshop was born. I sent out an e-mail invitation and set out a sign up sheet in the faculty workroom. Before I knew it, there were 22 people signed up! I kept the cost minimal (just $3 for the cost of supplies) and scheduled two sessions; one for building the clay bowl, another for glazing the bowl a week later.
Today was the first day of the workshop. It began at 4:00, though I had about 5 people show up 20 minutes early (including the principal) and sit around visiting while they waited for it to begin. In the end, 16 people actually came. I had received cancellations throughout the week due to scheduling and illness. It didn't bother me at all, though, because we were just doing this for the fun of it anyways.
Everyone had a great time and it was a big success!
Although it wasn't my intention, this workshop also did a great job at promoting my job security. Next year our projected enrollment is expected to plummet due to the construction of a new school very close by. The numbers are expected to drop so sharply that our principal is anticipating have to drop one or possibly two of the specialty classes at Harvest! He told me tonight, though, that he would make sure to keep both music and visual art. So my job is safe.
It can't hurt to show your boss just how valuable you can be to him, right?
*****
Oh. on a side and slightly related note, Karl sent me a copy of an e-mail he sent to someone at BYU (?) recommending me as an excellent mentor for art education student teachers. It is nice to be so valued.
I used to take on student teachers when I taught in Orem ("in town"), but stopped when I moved to the outer reaches of the district. Apparently, they are having a harder time finding mentors "in town" and had sent out search requests. We shall see if they are willing to deal with the distances involved. Our district is truly HUGE! There are 10 high schools, 11 junior highs/middle schools, 51 elementary schools (with at least 2 more in construction phases), and 3 special needs schools! It covers all of northern Utah County. Remember, too, that my school is sitting at 1,200 enrollment this year.
Sometimes student teachers are wonderful, though more often than not they are just added stress and work load for me. At least there is a stipend involved!
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