Week 3

I took the day off Wednesday so I could get over my cold so I went to Fishers today instead. Everyone is progressing faster than I imagined! The coil vessels are looking awesome in ceramics 1. There's one student in particular who is really nailing it. I attached a picture of his vessel below. He's a transfer student and hasn't taken a ceramics class and he just gets it.

In the 3D classes the wire shoe sculptures are so imaginative and inventive! One girl made a roller blade shoe our of rubber bouncy bowls that she drilled holes through. Another took an extensive amount of time to go above and beyond with embellishment. They are all fantastic.

I took time today to talk to Ms. O and the department head about what they look for when they interview for a new art teacher. They printed off a list of questions they usually ask and I'm excited to look over it and further develop my potential responses. I know it's a long way off, I just want to make sure I'm showing that I am serious about a future there. They said what usually goes the furthest in interviews is being personable and carrying on a conversation with them rather than question, response, repeat.

I'm starting to feel the students warm up to me. My strategy is to go over to a student I know from last year and begin talking with them and then that warms me up to the rest of the kids at the table. I think they're beginning to realize that I can help them with questions they may have.

Other than that, the day was pretty average. Most students were wrapping up their projects and we will be introducing a new project to all the classes next week. Two of my cousins go to Fishers and one of them came by to see me in class, so that was fun!

After talking to everyone in seminar about some of my worries concerning building relationship with the students, teaching lessons, etc. when I only go there once a week, I was pleasantly surprised that Ms. O is on fire as a mentor. I was shocked that some people in seminar weren't even introduced to the class by their mentor. Ms. O has my name up on the board every day I come in, she reminds students I can help too at the beginning of class, she made me a binder with seating charts so I can learn names, she gives me opportunities to write lessons, and she is super concerned about making sure I have the best experience I can here. So even though it's difficult to do certain things once a week, I feel good overall.

That's all! Excited to go back next week!