Smarter Balanced Teacher

It's official! I start back to school this week, and my children start middle school and high school next week. Where does the time go? It seems like just last summer they looked like this:

Now, there's makeup all over the bathroom counter, jewelry everywhere, and not a hairbow to be found anywhere! They're both excited, though, and so am I. I begin a new adventure in school this year, as well.

Since earning my masters' degree to teach, 20 years ago, I've wanted to teach art, but didn't have all the coursework I needed. Slowly and steadily I took classes to fulfill the art requirements, but still needed one more course, only offered in fall, only at one local college. My favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," said the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for hope and a future." (NIV) Two years ago, my principal sent out an email asking if anyone was willing to have a student teacher, who just happened to need placement in fall, and just happened to go to that one local school that offers the course I needed. I emailed him back so fast, his head was probably spinning! God sent me the best student teacher ever...Larz. 

She's a teacher in the Myrtle Beach area now. My compensation from the college was a free class. So this past fall, I took my last class needed for art. In December, our art teacher retired. In March I took the Praxis exam, and passed. I sent in all my paperwork for certification, and after a long battle with the state department, over two classes I took years ago in Nebraska, I received not only my certification, but also a job offer at my own school!

This year, 20 years after starting my teaching career, I'll be a new teacher again, in ART, and I can't wait! 

www.finearttips.com

My goal, refined through so many years in the core curriculum classroom, is to incorporate as much of each grade level's core standards into art as I can. I hope to build background knowledge of classroom standards, as well as reinforce prior classroom teaching of grade-level standards. I have found so many incredible resources on Pinterest, and have so many new followers of my Artistic Pinspiration board. Whether you teach art or not, you can find tons of ideas here for incorporating art and craftivities into your lesson plans, or just to do for yourself, family, and friends, so come along for this wild ride, as we all go back to school, refreshed and ready to begin a new adventure!

I'm excited to continue to bring you new classroom products, as well as inspiration for your own arts incorporation. A peek at my new classroom is coming later this week. For now, get ready with this little give-away!

Follow my Artistic Pinspiration board for a chance to win a custom tee shirt just like mine! Let me know you're a new follower in the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XOXO,
Brooke