Why I Chose To Become An Art Teacher
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why I Chose To Become An Art Teacher

We wouldn't be jumping through all these hoops, if we weren't passionate about it.

1943
Why I Chose To Become An Art Teacher
WonderBrooks

Ever since I was 13 years old, I wanted to be a photographer. I had a dream of working for some fashion magazine or advertising company as one of their head photographers, where I would be traveling around the world just to get the right picture.

After years of photography classes in high school, attending a two-week photography camp, and taking pictures everywhere I went, I decided to attend the University of the Arts where I would major in photography. Although I learned a lot my freshman year, I kept second-guessing my school choice and "dream" career path. There was nothing wrong with the school, but it just was not for me.

I thought about my photography teacher in high school, along with my other studio art classes, and I couldn't help but envy their job. I wanted to teach students how to apply their creativity and outside knowledge to their artwork, I wanted to teach different techniques in different mediums, but most importantly, I wanted to have a job that made me feel like I was actually making a difference in the community.

I decided to transfer to Buffalo State College, where I will be graduating from in May 2016 with my Bachelor's in Art Education (K-12). Transferring to this school changed my life for the better. When I went to class, I was so interested in what I was learning. Then, during my first on-site teaching lesson at a middle school, something just clicked. I knew that this was what I would want to do for the rest of my life, I absolutely loved it.

Now, as I'm finishing up my senior year, I am so happy I made the decision to transfer. Regardless of what career path I had been dreaming about my entire life, this is the one for me. After choosing to major in art education, I got a lot of unwelcome opinions. Most of them laughing at me saying I would never find a job, others making fun of my major suggesting that I might as well "major in finger-painting" because what else to art teachers do.

First things first (I'm da realest ~), becoming a Teacher IN ANY SUBJECT is a rigorous and difficult process. Not only do we need to meet all of the general credit hours, liberal credit hours, and our subject area credit hours in classes like every other college student, we also have a lot more additional work outside of our class time. You have student teaching, where you still have class at night. We also have about five seminars that we need to go to outside of our school hours (and pay for ($35 - $50 per seminar)) that New York State requires to graduate, and to obtain our temporary certification.

BUT WAIT, that's not all! We are also required to take three different New York State Certification exams: the ALST ($131, Academic Literacy Skills Test), the CST ($119, Content Specialty Test), and the EAS ($109, Educating All Students). Once we pass those exams we are on our way to our temporary certification, but not there yet! We also need to complete and pass our EdTPA ($300, Teacher Performance Assessment), which consists of three tasks that show our planning, instructing, and assessing of student work.

Once we have complete and passed our exams, seminars, and assessments on top of our coursework and student teaching we need to pay an additional $50 just to receive our certification. Also, they don't even send you the certificate anymore, they email you a PDF of it... so that email cost you $50. However, once you receive that $50 email, your are only temporarily certified. In order to receive your Professional certification, you need to complete a Master's Program within five years of your first teaching job.

So, next time someone decides question an educator's or education major's career choice, I would be a little hesitant. We are not going to go through all of these hoops, if we are not passionate about our career. I love to teach, and I love to teach art. Becoming an educator has been the most rewarding experience, I wake up every day with a smile on my face and look forward to starting my day every morning at school.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58953
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38055
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959564
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

195898
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments