To Teach or Not to Teach?

Interesting fact: I was a substitute paraprofessional for 3 days while waiting for my teacher certification from the state. The day I got it was the day the schools closed because of COVID-19.

Another interesting fact: I applied two times to be an online teacher of English for Chinese children, via internet. They rejected me both times because I wasn’t perky enough in the audition video.

Despite all that, I have been teaching a watercolor class at the senior living community where I work since summer 2020. I have often called it my favorite hour of the work week. I enjoy the sense of community and helping my students move forward, gain confidence, and see things in a new way. I enjoy watching them thrive as they use their creative talents.

We painted birds early on in my watercolor class. They are still one of my favorite beginning subjects in watercolor.

Sadly, or happily, depending on what you focus on, I received a promotion which puts me in a different department, starting next week. Teaching art will no longer be part of my role. I will really, really miss that time.

I quickly painted these watercolor pumpkins while my students painted other fall icons.

As I was thinking about writing this blog on teaching, I came across a proposal for a class that I wrote in 2019. It veers in the direction of art therapy (fitting for a person who is not perky and who likes painting the souls of trees). The art needs to be updated and so does the selfie, but otherwise it has held up pretty well.

I ask you, then: Would you take this class or do you know someone who would? What would you change about it to make it more appealing? Who do you think is the target audience? Anything else you want to say?

Thank you for your comments!