1
I am Adair
Stokan, I teach K-8 Art at Hatton-McCredie Elementary school in North Callaway R-1. This is my
first year with North Callaway. This is my 2nd year teaching; last year I taught
in Columbia Public school district (3 schools part-time art
on a cart). I am extremely happy to be at Hatton, love my students, and my
fellow teachers.
I started
at MU last summer. I’m working toward my Masters slowly. I have a 4 year old
and I’m a single mother. I will most likely be taking this summer off from
school, so I can devote more time to her. Sorry to those I don’t get to see in
class this summer.
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I think these traits sum it up
nicely. I feel I have things I still need to work on, but the core of a great
teach is there. 1) Passion for teaching. 1
2) Love of kids. 1
3) Love of their subject. 1
4) Understanding of the role of a school in a child’s life. 1
5) A willingness to change. 2
6) A work ethic that doesn’t quit. 1
7) A willingness to reflect. 2
8) Organization. 3
9) Understanding that being a “great teacher” is a constant struggle to always improve. 2
10) Enough ego to survive the hard days. 2
11) Enough humility to remember it’s not about you. 3
12) A willingness to work collaboratively. 2
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What
surprised you about your educational history?
I am not good at remembering names or faces of
past teachers; those who I do remember where my art teachers. I remember how I
felt when in their class more then what I learned.
What
patterns do you notice emerging?
The words I
used to describe these teachers are all very similar.
Welcome Adair! Nice to see you here. I find it interesting that many responses so far have collectively scored low for organization. I find myself curious because while to others, my way of "organizing" would be a virtual nightmare for them, for me, it is elegance in chaos. Being visual.... "organization" may mean something different. Im curious, is the score because you truly see this as a problem spot, or is it your ideas about it. I would ask that of everyone :)
ReplyDeleteI am also very curious, why do you think you only remember your art teachers? Thats very interesting to me. :)
I also scored myself low for organization, but I think it's interesting that you mentioned organization might mean something different to all people, Amy. The more I reflect on it, I think I was scoring myself low because of how walking into my room and seeing my piles might look to an outsider.
DeleteAdair, your educational history is very similar to mine in that I mostly have art educators thus far, with the exception of my mother. I wonder if it's because as artists ourselves, we tend to suround ourselves with like-minded people...
As far as organization, I think I scored my self low because like Ashley said I think of my room from others eyes. I know there are worse/messier/disorganized classrooms but I can't help but criticize myself for the "stuff" everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI can remember other high school teachers and a few college level instructors in other subjects, but the ones who stand out are the art teachers. Names are difficult for me but i will get out my year books and try to remember more.
Wow! Art on a cart! I can only imagine what a challenge that would have been.. Did you feel like a pack horse? I have a niece who will be turning 5 this month. She is my little life saver. I'm sure your daughter will love having you around this summer. :)
ReplyDeleteYour lineage tree is beautiful! I too, had trouble remembering all of my teachers names. I'm terrible with names! It's a real challenge teaching elementary art, because I have to remember way too many names. I'm sure you can relate to that yourself. I agree with you, about remembering the feelings I had in class more than the lessons. I guess we should think about that in our own careers. Our students may not remember a single lesson we have taught them, but they sure will remember how we treated them and made them feel.
yes I did not feel appreciated, this is why I left Columbia public schools.
Delete