I believed there would be a renaissance of art in schools. Not so, apparently, with a recent Washougal School District announcement of more students and less teaching time. Well, that explains it … I sub in high school art, collaborating with a young teacher. He has had some good projects. Enthusiasm exists.
I enjoy occasionally bringing a creative lifetime of experience to help in the schools. I have seen the lack of emphasis on visual arts ebb and flow over the decades. Kids need this kind of avenue of lateral expression; it broadens them. It is a great way to incorporate world history through art study, giving some students a way to understand the simultaneity of historic events around the world.
Happy teachers are inspired teachers, but it seems the ante is being raised with additional stress. That is a shame.