Rebecca's information
I entered college as an art major because I have always loved Art ever since I was in elementary school myself. Originally I concentrated on graphic design with the intension of going into the advertising field. After a few teaching experiences with the after school elementary Art club that I created: I decided that teaching was a much better fit for me. I saw how I could make a difference to young people and how every student’s life could be enriched through experiencing art. I graduated college in 2004 but stayed and extra year to earn my teaching certificate. I did my student teaching in a fairly urban middle school and high school and then substitute taught in five different districts in Pennsylvania for two years. I then got a full-time teaching position in Maryland in a very urban school in the suburbs of Washington DC and have been teaching there for two years now.
My DC teaching position, although extremely challenging at times, has made me a much stronger educator. I now know what types of discipline works with various troublesome students, I’ve become well versed with conflict resolution and I know how to motivate underachieving students. My current job has also been very good experience because I am a department of one…the only art teacher for the whole school, so any visual task needed for the school becomes my responsibility, I plan for and create all my own lessons and field trips, and order all supplies for my classes and after school club. I am grateful for the experience I’ve gained here but I am also really looking forward to the next chapter of my teaching career, that hopefully being teaching abroad.