Art Articles
Tips for Teachers
Tera Leigh
Anyone who has ever taught decorative painting classes knows that teaching can be a challenge. Here are five tips I've gleaned from my teaching experience which I hope will help you in your efforts, too!
Demonstrate directly in front of your students. So everyone can see what you're doing, teach at a board or station at the front of the class. Then, using a separate board or a sheet of cardstock, walk in front of every table and give an individual demonstration of the technique used in the last step. Your students will feel like you gave them individual care, and you can take time to look at each person's work to make sure no one needs your help, is getting frustrated, or is getting too far behind.
Demand respect. If you teach for a while, your students become friends and look forward to the social aspect of the class as much as the educational. This is a perk of teaching unless familiarity breeds disorganization! It's important for each class to have a leader, and
the leader should be the teacher--not the students. If you have a problem with a student who wants the class to be more social and less organized, take her aside privately. Remind her you're being paid to do a job and that the group has paid for your services. If your students do not respect what you do, they will question your value, and you will lose them.
Support your venue. If you're teaching at a local shop, don't create projects using materials that aren't sold there. Telling your students to run down to the local chain store isn't a great idea. Local shops can't stay in business and pay the myriad of hidden costs (electric, gas, cleaning, water, basic supplies, staff, etc.) if the students are told to go elsewhere to buy their supplies. Work with the store owner or manager to make sure the supplies are available when needed.
Practice what you preach. If you're going to teach, practice painting with the skills you'll be teaching. It's hard to get a student to hold her brush perpendicular to the surface when she watches you paint with it held back in your hand. It's difficult to respect a teacher who tells you to "do as I say and not as I do."
Find something to praise. Even the worst student does something right. End every class on a good note by pointing out the positive for each student. Remind students that their goal is progress, not perfection. If you have a digital camera, consider creating a small library of project photos for each student so she can watch her progress. I print digital photos on plain paper and put them in a small notebook. After completing the project, ask each student to tell you one thing she has learned and is happy with. A little encouragement is all most people need to come back for more.
Tera Leigh is a decorative painter and teacher, and the author of The Complete Book of Decorative Painting from North Light Books. Find out more about her by visiting www.teraleigh.com
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