So, you have the art skills and a passion for teaching? Congratulations! You are almost on your way to becoming an art teacher. Remember though, just because you get to work with colors and paints all day, doesn’t mean it’s time to play. Becoming an art teacher does mean you will need to learn some teaching skills and have a whole lot of patience for these high school kids. Who knows though, maybe you’ll teach the next Picasso!
What Does a High School Art Teacher Do?
Art teachers are vital in our education system as they help put out creativity throughout the school. Art can be a good tool for students to destress after their long day in math class. It’s not all fun and games though. You’ll have to grade their projects and make sure they behave as well. Your job is to teach them art techniques that are sure to stick with them.
“We teach varieties of art and I am passionate about teaching my students about the history and different techniques of art,” Commack High School art teacher Robert Raeihle said.
Even if they can’t draw if their lives depended on it, you have to encourage them. You’ll also get the opportunity to plan out field trips for the students. Planning is a huge part of teaching so procrastination is not an option. Their classrooms are filled with life with weird objects scattered around the place. You’ll know it’s an art room the moment you step foot into it. Some additional tasks and responsibilities of an art teacher include:
- Explains instructions on how to make art thoroughly
- Knowledgable in the arts
- Create teaching materials and lesson plans
- Evaluate a student’s progress
- Motivate students to do their very best
- Grade student’s final work
- Make sure the area is clean and safe for students
- Teach them new skills regarding art
- Keep track of attendance
- Acknowledge a student’s efforts
What Does it Take to Become a High School Art Teacher?
Think good drawing skills and knowing your colors will take you far? Think again. While majoring in art will be a good start, you will also need to have your teaching certificate. After all, you will be working with kids. This teaching program must include a student teaching course. During your student teaching class, you’ll get hands-on experience in a real-life classroom setting. Part of your degree requirements include six hours of coursework in training in Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention.
Think you’re done? Not even close. You have to pass a series of tests based on your knowledge of liberal arts and sciences as well as teaching theory and practice. You have to have a perfect score on these four exams in the state of New York:
- New York State Teacher Certification Exam – Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST)
- New York State Teacher Certification Exam – Educating All Students Test (EAS)
- Content Specialty Test (CST) – Visual Arts
- edTPA – Visual Arts
It is important to note that the requirements for teaching certification vary by state. Some are more lenient and others like New York have more steps so do your research and see what certifications or exams you’ll need in your state to teach.
What You Should Know About Becoming a High School Art Teacher?
1. What income will I earn as a art teacher?
The first question on everyone’s mind: How much will I get paid? The average income of a high school art teacher will be around $100,000. This will vary depending on what state you are in, the degree, and how long you’ve been in the district.
2. How much will I be expected to work as a high school art teacher? (Scheduling, overtime, etc.)
Your workdays look like any other teacher, eight hours a day for five days a week. There are no overtimes as when the bell rings, you can leave as well. But, keep in mind that you have other responsibilities as well. Meetings could creep into your schedules or you might need to chaperone events too. Prepare your Google calendars because you will be busy.
3. What will my work environment be like? (office setting, lab, work from home, etc)
As an art teacher, every day will be unpredictable. You will never grow bored as you have various students to work with. Their personalities are sure to make the days go by faster. Working in your classroom can be hectic as you are trying to get everything done at a certain time.
“Every day is unpredictable and you will never be bored. You work with over 150 students a day not including faculty and staff members,” W.T. Clarke High School art teacher Jeannene Acrui said.
The environment is what you make of it. As the teacher, you can decide what the atmosphere will be like for the most part. Your attitude can make or break the day. You will also be expected to attend meetings so be prepared. Make sure that your classroom is always welcoming.
4. What do I need to know about the future of an Art Teacher?(growing/declining/evolving)
Listen, being a teacher is difficult. You work long hours and on top of that you have projects to grade. The teaching field is always changing and evolving with new curriculums being brought in. As an art teacher though, you have more free space when it comes to what you teach.
“The field of teaching is changing by giving teachers less opportunities to teach what they feel is important. As a creative individual, I can still teach my curriculum and change the projects I do every day. So myself and my students do not get bored,” Arcuri said.
As an art teacher, you get the creative freedom to choose different projects every year. The point of your teaching comes down to letting the students express themselves creatively. Art is always evolving and so will your environment. It’s important to be aware of what your students are interested in. Helping student draw out (pun intended) their confidence will always bring in the best work.
3 Key Skills You Need in Becoming a High School Art Teacher
1. Communication Skills
When working with kids, especially with high school students, communication will be the key to solving problems. Knowing that they have other work in their classes and that maybe they aren’t good at art will always be important to keep in mind.
2. Impressive Art Skills
This one’s a no-brainer. If you can’t at least draw a stick figure, then you’re done for. Having not only a passion for art but also being good at it allows for lessons to go smoothly. The more diverse your art skills are, the better lessons you can come up with.
3. Patience
Look, high school students aren’t always the most easy-going people we know. Sometimes, a little patience goes a long way. Making sure that they are heard becomes the main priority.
Other Skills Needed to Become a High School Art Teacher:
- Knowing the history of art
- Organization
- Innovation
- Time management
- Enthusiasm for teaching and art
- Empathic
- Professionalism
Reviews
“My favorite thing is working in the art field and I also like working with kids,” Commack High School art teacher Francis Musto said.
“Every day is a new day to try new things in my profession. My job allows me to explore, create, and make an impact on someone’s day,” W.T. Clarke High School art teacher Jeannene Arcuri said.
“I like sharing my passion and seeing my students succeed with the skills that I taught them,” Commack High School art teacher Robert Raeihle said.
