We've all had that "favorite" teacher. The one we remember throughout our life, the one whose name conjures happy memories of days gone by. Some of us were fortunate to have had more than one. Some of us are also fortunate to have become "that" teacher to our own future students. I've written two previous posts here about two of my most important life mentors, Miss Jean Brooke, and my Aunt Harriet. A life event in my home has brought back memories of another teacher, who I know has also become a part of the teacher I was, and the human that I am today.
My husband is currently in the midst of a health scare, and of course we are hopeful for having a positive outcome. However, he has been engaged lately in getting his stuff in order. Several weeks ago, he came downstairs with a pile of old pictures. Among them was a pencil portrait of me as a seventeen year old. He was fascinated by this portrait, and wanted to hear its story (as, I'm sure, do you!). Get a cup of coffee or tea, or a fresh mason jar of Kachava, and take a seat.
In high school, I discovered a very special oasis amidst the chaos of finding my way as a freshman. I bought an "elevator pass" on the first day, thinking that the price was well worth the amount of my lunch money for the week, considering that my homeroom was on the third floor. (Our building had zero elevators, and I had zero lunches that week.) Just figuring out how to get to each class on my schedule, and how to deal with the ever increasing homework assignments were chaotic and difficult for me as well. The usual teenage angst of meeting new friends was there as well. I had signed up to take Ceramics as an elective class, not knowing what a life-changing choice that would turn out to be.
When I entered the Ceramics classroom for the first time, I was greeted by a man with a beautiful wide grin, and a soft and gentle voice. He never needed to raise his voice, as he was a master of "wait time" long before I arrived. He was quiet, and his "people" easily matched his volume level. He called us "people" or "class", never "boys and girls", despite that being the most common way that we were addressed in most classes.
I quickly learned that this was more a class in living life as an artist, rather than just a focus in Ceramics. Of course we learned to create slab pottery items, and to throw a pretty decent pot or bowl on the wheel, but we were led to discover art and its creation is so many additional ways. I developed a love for collage and stained glass mosaics. Three of my mosaic pieces can be found in our garage today! At the end of freshman year, and each succeeding year, I found a way to continue choosing Ceramics as an elective class. I took advanced tests to skip a year in French language, decided to forgo the study of shorthand and typing, and ended my participation in Home Economics. I became a master of persuasion in the Guidance Counselor's office, and managed to stay a student of Mr. K for a full four years.
Mr. K's Ceramics classes were mixed grade, comprised of students from all grade levels. This was likely due to the fact that students chose other art electives more frequently. I remember that my sister and several of my friends took Jewelry Design as an elective. Mr. K's class became a microcosm of our school and the surrounding communities. As a parting gift to seniors who took his class, our Mr. K created a pencil sketch portrait of each departing senior. (Remember when it was cool to be a senior? Sigh. IYKYK.) Here is mine:
During my four years in "Ceramics" with Mr K, here are a few of the things I learned. I carry each of these lessons in my heart and in my very soul today, Thank you, Mr. K!
Lessons from Mr K
If you haven’t tried it, how do you know you won’t be good at it?
Although his class was officially, ceramics, Mr K shared his vast artistic background with us, using ceramics as an entry point. His example, I believe, led me to share my whole authentic self with each of my students. I found Reading and Writing to be great opportunities for sharing. You may find this resource useful during reading/writing conferences to share your authentic self! Just click!
Imagine the possibilities
Mr. K taught us to start somewhere, and then to explore and dream! Each class began with a short demo, bringing in new materials and fresh techniques, along with an invitation to soar! He also highlighted some of the projects other students were working on. Having a multigrade class enabled him to use the work of other students, as well as his own, for mentorship.
You don’t know everything
My high school years were filled with turmoil on the world stage, with protests and political activism at home. The war was raging in Viet Nam, but the time period could be any time, including the present. In his quiet way, never revealing to us his own involvement in WWII, he listened, said something like "Hmmm." Or "Ya think?" "Tell me more." and then invited us to think things through before forming our opinions so quickly. He basically taught us not to be know-it-alls while preserving our dignity.
Be part of a community
Mr K taught us that our class was a community, our three or four distinct neighborhoods were actually one community, and that the world was a community as well. We treated each other with respect, critiqued each others projects honestly and fairly, but kindly, and we learned from each other as well as from our amazing teacher.
I guess I've reached a point in my own life where I am considering who I am, who I was, and what my own legacy will be. If any of the lessons I've learned from my own teacher mentors and life mentors are helpful to you, I will be grateful.
If I can do anything else to help make your job easier this year, please let me know in the comments below! If I use your idea for a new blog post, you will win a TpT $10 gift card. If I create a new resource for Rainbow City Learning based on your idea, you will win a free copy of that resource to use in your classroom! (Note: all comments are reviewed before appearing on my blog. It may take a few hours for your comment to appear! Thanks for your patience!)
