Saturday, July 22, 2006

To teach or not to teach.

For long time I have heard or read about teaching in the art field. Some say teachers are just a plague. I remember the movie "the wall", were students are tortured by their teachers. I have read some times that, in order to become an artist or illustrator, there is nothing better than stay apart from schools and teachers and start creating "your art".
This may be the way of thinking of many, but there are plenty of schools around, and teachers continue to work hard. Now, what is the point in saying all these words? - you may ask. First, part of my work is done as a teacher. And second, and for me, at this particular moment, more important, I'm starting a master degree in teaching very soon.
Althoug I like the idea of studying, I wonder if teaching is so important for me. After many years of teaching in different institutions, I have to ask myself if teaching is that significant as to make it the subject of study and, as a consequence, my project of work, maybe more important than creating my own paintings and prints.
I started teaching for fun. Yes, it may sound very irresponsible, but that was the case. I was just a university student, and let me tell you, it was in fact a great time some friends and I had in the classroom during those days. After that expirience, I just kept on teaching. Teaching persons old and very young; teaching drawing, painting, printing or some theoretical subjects. But what have never change, is the momet where you can see a bright light in the face of a student, sudenly realizing that she or he can do what was never thought as possible. The moment where the face of a student shows satisfaction, or just a state of deep concentration that turns in to a significant expirience, an expirience that, in some, becomes a turning point in their lives.
Maybe that is why I keep on teaching. Maybe that is why I want to study about teaching. If I can show a few how to find their way, if I can show some persons to really see the world they live in, If I may help others to express their feelings and thoughts, then my decision is well taken.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."
Albert Einstein

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