Art Education Degrees: What Are My Career Options?

Learn the Available Career Options for a Graduate with an Art Education Degree

 

The typical outcome of earning a degree in Art Education is teaching Art at a local school. While this is indeed one possibility, there are other career options that you may not have considered. Here are some of the more - and less - obvious career alternatives for someone who has graduated with an Art Education degree:

Teaching Art in a public, private or charter school, K-12 - The most traditional way of using your Art Ed degree, you can apply for a teaching position at a public, private or charter school, for any grades - Kindergarten through high school.

Teaching online - Teachers tend to forget about the existence of online schools; however, 'virtual education' has become a huge trend in recent years - and yes, some of these virtual schools do hire art teachers. Research the online schools in your state and see what employment positions are available for someone with an Art Education degree.

Teaching preschool (or daycare) - You may not realize it, but in many states, your multi-age teaching license actually endorses you to teach students from preschool through age 21. Consider the option of applying to teach at a preschool or daycare facility, where your creative skills and art background will be much appreciated.

Teaching private lessons to adults or kids - Why conform to an existing school regiment, when you can set your own schedule teaching private Art lessons in your own home or studio? Be warned, teaching private Art lessons can take a lot of advertising, word-of-mouth, and can be slow to start - but many teachers can eventually build a core group of devoted students if they're motivated.

Teaching Art at an after-school program - There are plenty of organizations that work on keeping kids off the streets and involving them in worthwhile activities and further learning. Research local facilities and after-school programs in your area; some of them are purely art-based, while others may be well-rounded programs.

Running education program and teaching classes at art museums - Art Education degree-holders are sought out by Art museums, large and small. Many community, as well as large metropolitan, art galleries seek Art Ed graduates to teach classes both for children and adults - throughout the year, for summer camps, weekend classes or special events. If you've taught at a museum and gotten your foot in the door, there is also a chance you could apply for the position of Education Director (most Art museums have this position).

Starting your own non-profit arts organization - Then again, why apply to work for someone else when you can be self-employed? With your background in Art Education, you can start your own non-profit arts organization - whether it relates to teaching, public artworks, or arts advocacy. Prior to planning the details, research your state's guidelines.

Teaching at non-traditional organizations - Although these alternatives might be volunteer positions, consider asking these non-traditional organizations if you could teach occasional Art classes: assisted living homes, senior centers, juvenile detention centers, homeless shelters, pregnancy resource centers, women's shelters and others.

Be a guest artist - Send out brochures and notices advertising your expertise in a specialized Art discipline (make sure you are an expert in the field), or a particular impressive lesson you teach. Spread the word to schools and local Art teachers, as well as youth groups, boy and girl scouts, 4-H clubs, etc.

Tutoring - Although this may not be a position involving Art, as a licensed teacher with an Art Education degree you are qualified to tutor students in all grade levels, no matter the subject.

Teaching assistant - With your Education degree (and most likely your license), you are also qualified to work as a teacher's assistant in a local school.

Substitute teaching - Although substitute teaching is never the first option on a teacher's list, for someone with an Art Education degree, substituting is a way to get your foot in the door and make contacts with administrators and other teachers - as well as practice your classroom management.

Fine artist - You have a degree in Art Education - you are qualified to teach and you have a background in Art. Harness your creative talent, pursue your interests, and jump right into the world of Fine Art. If you haven't ever had the time before, begin painting, sculpting or creating whatever art you personally want to create. Exhibit in galleries, compete in juried shows. Make a name for yourself in the Art world! (Other opportunities will surely follow)

Retail craft coordinator - Many large Arts & Crafts supply stores employ a craft coordinator - someone who organizes community classes, in-store events, demonstrations, service projects, sets up displays promoting store materials and helps customers coordinate seasonal, holiday, bridal, etc. decorating and ideas.

Writing about art - If you are a decent writer, document your experiences in teaching Art, lesson-planning or classroom management, and send to various publishers - books, magazines, or free-lance websites. You could also start your own blog - and, after a lot of work in writing and promoting your blog, you could become quite successful in this career. As a teacher with an Art Education degree, you could also consider writing geared toward students rather than just teachers - try authoring and illustrating children's books about Art.

Art supply catalog or store consultant - Who else knows better what materials are needed in a school Art class than a teacher with an Art Education degree? Consider applying for work as a consultant with an Art supply catalog or a supply store, where you can share your expertise in materials and classroom needs.

Other creative, art-based careers - With an Art Education degree, you are qualified for any number of creative art-based careers: advertising designers, art directors, cake decorators, web designers, florists, wedding coordinators. Simply investigate the qualifications each company requires.

Sources:- http://voices.yahoo.com
Images: Google.com

Why Art Education Is Important?

7 Reasons the Arts are Important

 

1. They are languages that all people speak that cut across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers and enhance cultural appreciation and awareness.
2. They provide opportunities for self-expression, bringing the inner world into the outer world of concrete reality.
3. They develop both independence and collaboration.
4. They make it possible to use personal strengths in meaningful ways and to bridge into understanding sometimes difficult abstractions through these strengths.
5. They improve academic achievement -- enhancing test scores, attitudes, social skills, critical and creative thinking.
6. They exercise and develop higher order thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and "problem-finding."
7. They provide the means for every student to learn.

 Source:- http://www.edutopia.org/

Pictures: Google Images.

Free Supplies For Education

Free school supplies give your family budget a much-needed break. Do your homework to find places that can give your child everything from pencils to backpacks at no charge. 

Organizations

Helping people is the reason many organizations like the Kids in Need Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, United Way and The Salvation Army exist. These nonprofits have distributed millions of dollars worth of free school supplies to children.

Many times, organizations team up to throw a back-to-school festival where kids can get backpacks stuffed with free school supplies. Call the organizations close to you to see if they are holding a free school supply event. Even if they're not, they still may be able to help fulfill your child's school supply list from their local warehouses. 

Local Media

Print and broadcast media are the pulse of your city. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and city magazines know exactly when and where you can get free school supplies. Companies holding free school supply giveaways notify these media outlets well in advance so they can get free news coverage.

Call any media outlet's newsroom and ask for the assignment editor or education reporter. They should have any school supply-related event information at their fingertips. 

School District

School supply lists are long and the items on them can be pricey. Your school administrators knows this. Make your local school district aware of your situation.

You may have to fill out a couple of forms to prove you don't have the resources to purchase all of the school supplies on the list. But if you're approved, your child will be able to get everything she needs to go back to school. 

Churches

Churches in your area usually work together to help kids get free school supplies. Call any church and tell them your needs.

Many churches organize school supply drives during back-to-school time so they can have supplies on hand for children who need them. If the church isn't participating, the church secretary should be able to put you in touch with a church that can help. 

Chamber of Commerce

Your local chamber of commerce may be throwing a back-to-school event where free school supplies will be handed out. Check your chamber of commerce's website for an events calendar and follow up with a call to verify the dates and times. If your city isn't holding an official event, they may be able to put you in touch with businesses who've expressed interest in giving away school supplies to local children.

Sale Papers

Keep a close eye on sale papers. In the weeks and days leading up to the first day of school, you'll often find items that are free after a rebate. Sometimes those rebates are instant, so you won't have to pay for your child's school supplies up front and then have to wait on a check to arrive in the mail. Notebooks, paper, pens and even backpacks can be free of charge on the spot.

Sources:-
Google for images.
http://stayathomemoms.about.com/od/schoolresources/a/Free-School-Supplies.htm

A Teacher - A Leader (One of the best essay)

 

PICTURE: THE FIRST LEADER

Touching more lives, affecting the outcome of so many futures a teacher is the epitome of a leader. Just as a leader has his or her own style, their way of motivating their students, also plays an important part in a students success. Spending more time with our children then most parents do, a teacher is fundamental in shaping our children. If they are poor leaders our children suffer. When they shine as leaders our children blossom and the universe is wide open to them. As a teacher it is of utmost importance that you tune your leadership skills and find the best style of teaching for the students you are teaching. In finding resources for this paper it was interesting to note that all the information fell under the category of leadership and not teacher qualities. It was also interesting to note that the principle the US Army teaches on leadership are included in an overwhelming number of corporations as well taught mostly by retired military themselves. The intrinsic characteristics of a teacher can be categorized into a few main teaching styles or leadership styles. Directing, Participating, Delegating, and Combined styles are the main forms of teaching and leading. The qualities associated with these styles are imperative to any teacher. 

The purpose as teachers is fundamentally the same as leaders, to provide purpose, direction and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission in this case to educate. All four of these actions must be present in order for a student to benefit. A leader or teacher is not born but cultivated through his/her upbringing and environment. In my experience as a leader, teaching in Educational Psychology, being a parent, I have learned that what you as a leader or teacher bring to your students or audience is imperative to their development and learning. A teacher's personal characteristics are also crucial factor in students' development and motivation. The first principle is purpose, which has to be conveyed to the student. Why do I need to learn Math? How will studying History benefit me? Without the why's we as students are lost. A teacher must give the purpose. It is important to you because… If this question is left unanswered the student will not consider the value of the topic being discussed. To move from purely acceptance to questioning and understanding denotes a higher level of learning. This is the main objective of teaching. Moving the students from regurgitation to higher realization is the ultimate goal. Teachers need to take the time to explain the why's and in the long run it will benefit both the teacher and student. Direction is tied to purpose. Direction is the steps we are going to take to get to that important purpose. Without steps or direction, we lack the framework in which to learn. By prioritizing small tasks (you must teach numbers before adding them) your lessons will be more effective. By conveying the direction or path to your students you are setting up the checklist for them to follow on to higher learning. Purpose and direction are essential aspects to convey to your students. Without motivation however these factors will not be effective. The motivation will give your students the will and desire to do things. You can tell a student the purpose of a task and the direction in which to go but without the internal motivation of that student, sparked by your personality and learned tactics in dealing with students, these will be meaningless. 

 Motivation is the drive and will to do what needs to be done to accomplish the mission. To instill motivation a teacher has to know his/her students and their capabilities. A teacher must know what the students can relate to, what tasks the student are capable of, and what method of teaching will relate to the students. If a student can handle not being supervised on a task, then the teacher doesn't baby-sit them. Some students need a teacher looking over their shoulder at all times; it's important to know which student you have. To instill positive motivation when they succeed - praise them; when they fail - show them how to succeed next time. If this is done properly it will be a teacher's strongest tool! Motivation is not just the words you say to your students, it is the actions that you do and the example you set for them. I have found that no matter what I tell my subordinates, or my son, the best way to teach them is by setting the example for them to follow. We all have someone watching and emulating our actions. If you want to convey hard work, proficiency, and the desire for learning to your students, then you must first emulate those qualities. The best teachers and leaders in my life have made me want to take some of their personality traits and copy them. In front of the classroom, who is looked at more than a teacher is! All of these factors combine to make a somewhat effective teacher or leader, but without the right combination of teaching the leadership will be ineffective. Effective leaders are flexible enough to adjust their leadership styles and techniques to the people they lead. Some students will respond best to coaxing, suggestions, or prodding while others may need a chewing out. If you treat all students the same you are probably being unfair because all students are not the same. You must use the directive, participating, delegating, and combined approaches to teaching. Obviously every situation dictates common sense and some adjusting, but you would not want to use a purely free and laid back approach with a group in a juvenile prison. 

 The directive style of teaching is purely lecture which puts most students and myself to sleep. This is teacher centered with detailed instructions and no input from the class. Now this can be done effectively with students who have an innate interest in the subject but for the majority of those who have no choice but to take this class this becomes boring. Without the lecture or instruction part of teaching, however, most students would not be given the instruction for proficiency and understanding that the subjects may require. When students don't have the expertise in a subject, a crucial aspect of the subject is the introduction itself. In certain subjects like math it is imperative that formal instruction takes place. The do this to get this approach must exist. However too purely drown your students with facts and tedious instructions will turn off the students' motivation. On the opposite extreme of teaching, the delegating style would be employed. The delegating style involves giving students the power to solve problems and make decisions themselves, without checking with the teacher in most circumstances. This can be effective with very mature students in whom a teacher wants to create independence and expand their thinking. This simply stated is the teacher giving a problem, minimal instructions, and expecting the student to find the solution. In some aspects this can be effective only if the students have a basic understanding and the fore knowledge of how to solve the problem. With too little amount of instruction this will be a disaster! The participating style centers on both the students and the teacher. The teacher gives the students a problem, gives instruction and possible solutions, and asks the students for input. The teacher, although dependent on recommendations from the students, makes the final solution however. This is most effective for teachers who have time as their advantage, which many do not. When this style is used, the students feel as though they are at least a part of the discovery process and it gives them a sense of ownership of the final plan. Again the factor here is time, so this can be ineffective when there are strict time constraints and many lessons to accomplish. The most effective teaching style is the combined approach. Just as the name implies it uses all of the benefits of the delegating, participating, and directive approaches. It is a flexible and transformational tool for any given situation. To become an effective teacher you must learn when, to what degree, and how to use this approach. 

This approach is best used when you have students with a conglomeration of experiences, knowledge, motivations, and maturity. This may sound like common sense, but too often do when have those pure lecture teachers, or those who are on the other extreme and let the students learn on their own. With all the styles of teaching and leading, who the teacher is plays a significant role in what the student learns. As I sat in the first day of Educational Psychology I noted how many times the teacher looked at the clock. She noted when there was one minute until the class was to start and has promptly kept the same attention to time since that first day. This shows two of the characteristics - awareness and perception - that a teacher needs to bring to the classroom. Other characteristics include: listening receptively to what others have to say, accepting others and having empathy for them, foresight and intuition, awareness and perception, highly developed powers of persuasion, an ability to conceptualize and to communicate concepts as well as establish goals, empowering people, using multiple options thinking, and being passionate about what they are teaching. These are forged by our personal beliefs, and just as important our life experiences. Having these combined with the right approach; purpose, direction, and motivation are the key to effective teaching and leading. Leaders can't be trained, but they can be developed. Development needs to be ongoing and highly personalized in its nature. Teachers, true leaders, are so strategically important that schools cannot afford not to provide them with the support and developmental resources they need to grow. But not everybody is capable of being an outstanding leader. However, it is going to be the key to better education in a world of change, complexity and uncertainty. 

As I look back on the semester, I remember how it started. Never have I been in a class where the classroom students taught the instruction. What a weird, bizarre, and radical way of teaching. I have to admit, I hate to work in-groups and I didn't like this idea at all. In light of my stubbornness and repulsion I see why this had to happen. To me the process was not really about learning the material but bluntly seeing how you can be inspired put to sleep, or appalled at other students, or yourself. The fundamental concept is not really about what you are teaching, but how. The with-it-ness of the teacher makes the student learn or care about the subject. The lack of enthusiasm in an instructors voice, the laziness as they slouch on the podium or smack their gum, or the sheer brilliance of their presentation is what inspires and motivates a student to learn. The Army is the same way with winning wars and making heroes. Many civilian corporations have emulated the leadership principles applied in the Army doctrine and regulations. This is what I have applied this course to. As a supervisor in the Army in charge of those many years younger than me or twice as old as me this course has shown me in a less obvious way to adapt and be flexible to the situation. Also I feel that beyond the regular courses that teachers take they should be shown how to develop their leadership skills. They need to be shown which style to teach which students and how to be flexible. Teachers also need to have and develop some personal qualities that will make them successful. Without the characteristics mentioned they will not be successful teachers. The leaders of the most powerful army of the future need to be shown how to lead. They need to know how to give to their students meaning by showing the purpose, providing the direction and the motivation while they accomplish their mission, to educate. Teachers need to use different approaches to teaching based on the students and they need to be flexible in their approach. Sometimes it is okay to think (teach) in the box and sometimes we need to think (teach) out of the box but I believe we can think both ways at the same time. 

Sources:- 

http://www.freeessays.cc

Picture - http://catholicmom.com

Art education - Wiki

“Art education and special education can transform the lives of people with special needs.”

Art education was combined with special education even before there were reforms to create special accommodations for children with special needs in typical classrooms. When it comes to art, art therapists are often used to connect with students with special needs. However, some art therapists pull students out of the classroom, causing them to be restricted in their social learning. Because of this, art therapy is reserved for students who do not have much chance for long-term improvements, but rather short-term developmental skills.

Special educator Jean Lokerson and art educator Amelia Jones wrote that “the art room is a place where learning disabilities can turn into learning assets.” Special needs students often come out of their shells and get enthusiastic about creating. Art is also a way that special educators teach their students fundamentals that they may not even realize. Gerber, B. (2011). Art education and special education: A promising partnership. Paper presented at 2011 NAEA national convention, Seattle, WA. Retrieved from

Special educator Wanda Flora tries to use art in her classroom as much as possible, because she believes it is essential that her students engage in hands on activities. “Art encourages participation in all activities”, she said. She explained that “adaptive art teachers” should be in every school to ensure that those students with special needs are encouraged and motivated in the classroom. She uses different art supplies to teach her students writing, but mostly to increase their motor development and sensory skills. There are ongoing studies that continue to prove that art and special education go hand in hand. Testing continues to prove that art in any classroom, but especially special education classrooms causes students to be motivated, enthusiastic, and in some cases, even promote learning in other subject areas

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_education

Picture Source: http://www.arteganas.com