Our first year in Clovis (2009) I taught art at a local elementary school…it was something that I kind of “fell” into, but is one of those things that you will always look back on as an amazing experience. I am sure you’re thinking, well, why are you telling me about this now?
Yesterday I subbed. I don’t do it often, maybe once or twice a month, but I do it to help out the school and visit the kids I taught art to the first year we lived here. Usually when I sub, I am in one classroom for the day and only get to visit with a small number of the students. Yesterday, I subbed for music. I had five different classes, 40 min. each, and I saw a lot of the kid’s I used to teach. The similar schedule of multiple classes a day, took me back to that year teaching art.
When we moved to Clovis I had no idea what I was going to do for a job. There aren’t really any interior design firms in the area and I didn’t think we would be here very long, so I was lost. I talked to one of the Air Force base organizations to try to find some direction, but was disheartened when he told me my best options were a position working at the jail, or child protective services. These I felt were definitely not a paths I was ready to explore. So, I decided to try substitute teaching. When I filled out the application I also saw an opening for Art EA (I didn’t know what that meant, but I thought I would just be assisting the art teacher), so check, I filled in that box too.
Anyway, long story short, in my interview I was told that I would be the art teacher…not just assisting (which freaked me out a little) but I got the job and loved it. It wasn’t perfect, there were definitely frustrating days. But most days I left exhausted with a smile on my face and paint on my clothes 
.
What I loved about it was the passion that the students had for art. They didn’t care what the project was, they were just excited to have an opportunity to create. What I love about going out to see them as a sub: They still love art, and I see, even now, that I was able to make difference for a year.
I am always greeted with a smile and hug, and a “Mrs. Chaffee, are you here to teach us art?” Or “Mrs. Chaffee, I wish you were still our art teacher.” It’s been a year and a half and they still remember. They still talk about projects we did together in class. Unfortunately, because of budget cuts this year they got rid of art in the local elementary schools. Every time I sub I try to encourage the kids. I try to tell them how important art is when they tell me they miss it and to keep working at it at home. I know for some of those children it’s their passion, like it is for many of us. Can you imagine not being able to do DIY projects anymore? To not have the time to spend being creative. For some kids that 45 minute class once a week was all the time they had to create.
I don’t want to get on a soapbox, but I woke up this morning still thinking about the students and my year as an art teacher. I feel it was a defining moment in my life. It helped me fall in love with art again, which led me to Pennsylvania for 4 months to study classical drawing and design at Barnstone Studios,which led me here to blogging about DIY and design and my passion creating blog designs.
What led you to blogging?
Breaks my heart to hear that they cut the art program. Literally. Art in school was my absolute favorite subject and class. I still try to sketch every now and then, but haven’t been as good about it. Writing is my art form now, but if I could rewind to the days of painting, sculpting, crafting, I would in a heart beat.
I can not believe they cut the art class. That makes me so very sad!! Thanks for sharing this sweet story and Im sure you have made such an impact on those little ones lives. I am grateful for teachers like you that have a passion for what they do and a passion for teaching our children!
Its a shame that the art program got cut. For my final project in my ad design class we have to do a social awareness campaign and mine is about keeping arts in schools.
I started to blog because I was laid off and trying to figure out my next path
It must have been so fulfilling to be with the kids every day!
I started blogging as a creative outlet – and I love it!!
xo
Ashlyn
Thanks for sharing Elizabeth! Art is critical to well rounded individuals, to creativity and I believe confidence, so it is a sad state of affairs that our budgets require such measures. How lucky those students are that you were able to share your passion and make such an impact. When my kids were younger i participated in a program called “Art Volunteers in the Classroom.” Parent volunteers worked monthly in all of the classrooms to teach about a different artist or style of art and then do a project based on that study. This was in addition to the regular art program but maybe in your district this could be a viable substitute.
My foray into blogging was the result of a long family trip and the blog we created to share the experience with family and friends. I realized that blogging was a great way to share my design passions and I love that is has led me to finding a voice and like minded “blog friends!”
Thanks for getting us talking today!
Cathy
What a great story, Elizabeth! I love the Picasso quote– why is it we feel we have to abandon those childhood/adolescent passions when we reach adulthood? I feel I am (at the age of 44) just now re-embracing my love of art, crafting, writing and design that I had into my 20′s. My blogging grew out of an urge to write, first about family things, then about my love of interior design and decorating. Let the creative juices flow! And thanks for the reminder about encouraging the artists in our children. Your little students were blessed to have you!
It is so wonderful that the children look forward to art class. I always did, too. I am sure you are a great teacher.
My husband is a college art professor (he is an MFA) and I minored in visual arts during undergrad. It makes me so sad to know the arts are the first to get cut. I’m glad you enjoyed your time as a teacher and that it lead to all of this.
Blogging for me came out of the desire to keep some close friends up to date about the DIY renovations then developed into me finding my passion again after many years of the corporate world had made me led it slide.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing your story that led you to blogging. Teachers have a special place in my heart as both my parents were teachers. My mom taught music. So we are definitely an artsy family.
For me blogging came about after our city suffered a devastating flood. Our house, my parents, my in-laws and my sister in laws house were all inundated with water. One third of our city under water. I thought starting a blog would help me rocognize humor in everyday life. And it totally has. I love telling stories about my boys and sharing them with others.
Wow…what a great story…love that it ultimately led you to all of us! For me, it was my way of staying in touch…living in Tahoe can be a little confining with regard to design/fashion/and ultimately what’s going on! So I love connecting and being inspired!
So interesting! It really is something when your actions have an impact on students. And such a shame that they had to cut the art program and you’re right that might have been the only 45 minutes those children had each week to get creative. And so fun that you have spent time in PA too! I started blogging on a whim. I had always loved interior design and whenI needed some direction with my living room, I got involved with my e-design project with Kirsten @ 6th Street Design School I realized that there was this whole blogosphere of information and that I could ultimately have a voice somewhere out there. It’s been a very fun journey, and you of course played a role in that for me! It’s pretty tough in the beginning, but I remember people saying “you’ll find your voice just keep writing” and it’s really true. I can’t imagine not being involved with blogging now. Great post Elizabeth – really gets me thinking.
I can’t believe the art program was cut entirely in your community, Elizabeth!! What a shame! How many of us really find ourselves in some kind of creative path when we grow up? Of course if something needs to be cut for lack of funds, phys ed, a second language, music or art are the ones to go……doing our kids such a disservice. How lucky those students are to have an inspiring teacher like you every once in a while! And what a great experience for you too!
We take art class in school for granted although there have been some budget cuts. It is an essential for all kids, an outlet for them. It is so special that the kids remember you after all that time – it shows that you have had a positive, meaningful effect on their lives…something you should not give up altogether.
I am all teary-eyed reading this…I still remember my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Goodrich, because she taught us art! It was something that was really important to her and because of that, she made a special effort to make sure that we did awesome projects. My mom still has the storyteller sculpture that I made (c: And this was like 20 years ago (don’t do the math on that!)…it just goes to show how much of an impact a great teacher can make on a child, sounds like you are definitely one of them (c: