What is Mrs. Leban doing?

Right now I have a student teacher, so I don't get as much one-on-one interaction with students as I am normally used to.  I am surprised at how I never seem to run out of things to do, though. 

Having a student teacher means that I have to be able to explain my job to someone else and teach them to do it well.  This is a surprisingly difficut task, since a lot of my daily "jobs" I do on auto-pilot (meaning without really thinking about it) - for example, in the middle of the week I will start thinking about the next week and what's planned for art class.  I will go make copies, double-check a powerpoint presentation, or find artwork samples - things like that.  Sometimes I start planning artwork displays in my head, and I'll start gathering supplies a day or so before I begin putting artwork up.  I might have to make a banner or title, or put up background paper - all of this takes planning that I just kind of do on my own - to try to remember it all and say it out loud and explain it so it makes sense to someone else is tricky!

So... what else am I doing lately?  I'm re-organizing and cleaning out the art closet... again.  I think I did this the last time a student teacher was here.  But it got messy again. :(  oops.

Also, I've been working some more on my National Board Teacher Certification projects.  You wouldn't believe how much work it is!  It's the biggest project I think I've undergone to date - even more than my Master's degree.  The scariest part is that I have to videotape myself teaching and submit it to be scored by a panel of total strangers - eek!  And after I've written my zillion papers that are required along with the videotapes, I have to take a test at a testing center.  I am very nervous.  Wish me luck!

Mr. John Carman Visits

Today, for the last day of 6th grade classes ("B" Term), John Carman came to talk about art with us! 

Not only did he show us some paintings that he made, he talked to us about what it means to be an artist and what good art looks and feels like.  It was pretty cool.  Thanks Mr. Carman!