an apology to remember

Yesterday one of my students and I were waiting in the hallway outside my room during a 'passing time'. She seized the moment and made a sincere apology to me for how she acted (out) as a freshman in my Art I class (two years ago...believe me, she and her three/four friends were very rude and disruptive to the class).

I felt her apology was heartfelt and genuine. I told her that I appreciated her telling me this and that it made my day.

I believe that some of the acting out that freshmen do is a matter of maturity. I think in this group's case it was increased exponentially, reaching a tipping point, a critical mass due to their strength in numbers, goading each other on and their not caring what the other students thought of them. Deep down I suspect they did care, but were not going to admit it. I dreaded that class every day because I couldn't get a handle on their obnoxious behavior and 'win them over'. (Maybe I shouldn't have cared so much about the 'winning them over' part).

One particular day I decided I needed some intervention. I emailed the powers that be about the disruption they were making, not certain if help would come, but just wanting the behavior marked 'for the record'. Lo and behold the administrator of discipline came into the room shortly after my email was sent, asked who the perpetrators were and pulled them all out of class. As soon as the four were gone the class spontaneously erupted into applause. I'm sure they could hear the applause as the outside door swung shut behind them.

Life went on, classes continued and the behavior calmed down a little, though never enough for me to let down my guard. It takes alot of extra, unnecessary energy to monitor potential disruptive behavior. That's the one part of teaching that is a drag! (I'm not going to lie!)

Mrs. G's Art Room

A closer view of the bulletin board behind my desk...for TOMMY!!!

My wonderful space! Tommy wanted to see the whole wall behind my desk, so I took this photo and then decided to photograph the entire room, storage and all. I wish I had some windows to the outside world, as the sun never rises or sets in here. I can't tell if it's sunny or rainy outside, or if leaves are blowing or snow is falling. I'm amazed at the STUFF I've accumulated in 3-4 years! YIKES!!


another view from my desk


two walls we painted to add some contrast to the room


critique corner


view from my desk


along one wall


the fiber arts storage room


the kiln room

the office