All names changed.

Victor: Why do you think Mr. Y has drumsticks in his desk?

Me: I have no idea.

Victor: Do you think he’s waiting to beat us with them?

Me: No… well, probably not.

Kara: What are we doing today, Miss X?

Me: Writing an exam, I’ve been reminding you all week.

Kara: Is it for marks?

Me: Of course it is, it’s your unit exam.

Kara: Can you give us the answers?

Me: that’s the opposite of an exam.

Gabe: Have you ever hit a student?

Me: Of course not!

Gabe: Bacause you haven’t wanted to or because you aren’t allowed?

Marcia: Do you think if I asked nicely that OneDirection would perform at the school?

I fist read The Hobbit as a child when it was given to me as a Christmas gift. I hadn’t liked it then (not my favourite genre), so I decided to give it another chance now. I don’t totally know why because I’m not a huge fan of Tolkien’s writing style (I couldn’t stand the Lord of the Rings trilogy either).

I get really determined to finish novels when they’re classics and to give them a fighting chance, I just hate to fail (yes, I am aware that disliking something is not “failure”, but still). I still didn’t like The Hobbit, will never teach it, but it is necessary to have in all upper elementary and junior high classrooms. It just is.

(#67) Island by Aldous Huxley

After reading Brave New World, I decided to venture out and read Island as well. Being greatly intrigued by humanity and the idea of utopia, I found Island to be an extremely interesting read.

It was particularly interesting to me on account of the actual “utopia” itself (Pala) as well as the idea that the rest of the world becomes hugely jealous of said utopia, reflecting ideas of innate human greed and consistant striving for the ideal. A definite must read; I highly recommend Island.

(#68) Middlemarch by George Eliot

As someone who tends to dislike Victorian novels, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Middlemarch. The characters were well-done and the writing was subtle and superb. Additionally, societal issues are rampant and explored beautifully.

The novel is certainly not something I would study with students at the high school level as it is just too heavy, but it is perfect for an English Literature course at the University level.

(#69) The Colour Purple by Alice Walker

The Color Purple was absolutely phenomenal. Heartbreaking and beautiful, I could not put it down. I barely have words to describe how absolutely flawless it was. I would not teach the novel, I don’t think I could, but I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

(#70) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

When I was attending the University of South Florida, Maya Angelou came to campus to give a presentation and I freaked right out. I said to everyone I knew, “we need to go to this!” To my dismay and shock, almost none of my friends had any idea who Miss Angelou was. Are you freaking KIDDING me! I judged them. I judged them hard. Fortunately, my roommate at the time also knew and loved Angelou and we went together.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a true showcase of Angelou’s writing talents. Her voice is so superb, her vocabulary, and description so mesmerizing, that I cannot praise her or this novel enough. Phenomenal. Absolutely.

Courtesy: Robyn Hobbs Photography

Do what you’re wired to do.

Each school year I am fortunate to teach amazing, creative individuals. Some are naturally gifted and draw in perspective (before really knowing what that is), they match and mix colors and they understand tools and their uses with very little teaching required. It is fascinating to watch these kids problem-solve as they intuitively seem to know how to tap into the right side of their brain.

In contrast, there are also students who, perhaps, aren’t as naturally talented, but they wish they were! They so badly want to draw correctly and learn about the elements of design! They sit up front and pay attention to every morsel of detail I talk about when introducing a new lesson. They are observant and are wonderfully teachable. At the end of a school year, these children often out perform, or rise above the more naturally talented students because of their eagerness to perform and learn.

After teaching kids for a full year, their problem solving skills have been highly sharpened and they don’t get their feathers ruffled when I look at a composition and say (with love), “Too boring. What can you do to capture the viewers attention?” I often role play being in a museum, as an onlooker, and I race by many, many works of art and then . . . BINGO! I stop in my tracks as one artwork seizes my eye and won’t let me go. “Why is that?” I ask. I often give the example, when applying color to an artwork, that the color should bounce around the canvas, like a ball in a pinball machine racking up points: “Bing! Bing! Bing!” They laugh at me and then add their splashes of eye-catching color to their masterpieces.

As human beings, we ALL have the ability to create. In our consumer-driven culture EVERYTHING we see that is man-made started out as a drawing somewhere. If you had the time and energy to research, for example, the coffee mug you drank coffee from this morning, you would eventually track that mug back to a work order and I’m willing to bet, somewhere in that manilla folder (or desktop folder) would be a drawing of it, first visualized by its maker. Objectified is a film worth watching that stunningly shows this process in the field of product design. Art teaches creative problem solving and those of us that can do that are badly needed, especially in this economic downturn. In Daniel Pink’s book, A Whole New Mind, he explains why, in the future, creative individuals will take the best jobs in America and around the world.

One of the most frustrating things I experience as a visual art teacher is watching parents and institutional staff subterfuge the most astonishing, creatively talented students into majoring in business, or convincing them to take over the family insurance agency, for example. It’s not that the skills learned in these environments wouldn’t be useful and productive; I’m sure they would. But what would happen if parents, teachers and institutions would actually support a creative kid to keep on being creative? What amazing discoveries might be made! What could possibly be imagined to help people get clean water, get shoes on childrens’ feet or build houses out of trash?

In A Whole New Mind, Pink highlights an interesting story about the importance of DESIGN. It is so important, says Pink, that consumers, having dozens of toilet brushes to choose from, may select one based on the way it is designed. This could mean the curve of its handle or the pattern of its bristles. Most toilet brushes can do the job adequately, but more and more people want a toilet brush that is not only designed well, but made in pleasing colors.

And, one last thing: (parents) please don’t inculcate your children to attend the college you went to. When I see a 5^th grader drawing their parents’ alma mater logo onto their papers, it makes me sad. It tells me that this child may not hear his heart-voice but instead is already hearing his expectation-voice.

I’m working on an eBook, that I will make available by year’s end, on creative career choices. This book will be a resource for students, parents, teachers, administrators and anyone interested in partnering with creative souls for a lifetime of creative pursuit.

In closing, I’m attaching a short animated clip made by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (of South Park fame) featuring a small segment of an Alan Watts lecture. Please watch it and re-watch it and send it to all your friends!

I’m a huge Hemingway fan, so I was very excited to read A Moveable Feast. It focuses on Hemingway’s time spent living in Paris, and it was a good read. Not one of my favourites, perhaps because I’ve never been a huge fan of Paris, but I did still enjoy it. It’s Hemingway after all.

(#62) Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

I love Fyodor Dostoyevsky. So much so that I actually want to name my (eventual) puppy after him. Well, him or Oscar Wilde, Thomas Hardy, or William Shakespeare. We’ll see how that works out. Seriously though, who doesn’t want a tiny guy like this running around?

Anyway, let’s get on with it. Of course, I was very excited to read Brothers Karamazov, which has been on the top of my to-read list for far too long.

I loved it. What else is there to say? Dostoyevsky’s characterization and in-depth views of humanity, emotions, and flaws is perfect. I would recommend reading, teaching, and loving the Brothers Karamazov infinitely.

(#63) A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

People have been recommending A Confederacy of Dunces to me for years. But I’m lazy and also don’t like being told what to do. So I didn’t attempt the read until now.

Of course, I immediately understood why everyone recommended it for so long. Seriously, they were very adamant for very good reason. It’s hilarious and wonderful and one of my new favourites.

(#64) One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Isaevich Solzhenitsyn

I read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovish in an IB English class in high school and I remember it affecting me, thus I decided to cheat on this challenge and read it again.

In high school I enjoyed it because I loved the idea of following one person around for simply one day. Now, I appreciate it more for the historical context and the humanity involved. I had a pleasant experience with the novel in high school (despite a bad teacher), so i would most certainly teach the novel myself.

(#65) A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

I began watching A Clockwork Orange a few months ago because I decided that I needed to be cultured and watch classic, well-regarded films. I needed to turn it off after only a few minutes because I was so horrified. Thus, I don’t know how or why I decided to read the novel. Clearly I’m insane.

The novel is good, of course. Absolutely phenomenal. But it still made me sick to my stomach. Perhaps now I will be able to watch the film? Probably not, but maybe I’ll give it another go.

All names changed.

Warren: Why do we have to learn math? I’m never gonna use polynomials ever after school.

Me: Because it increases your ability to think logically and critically.

Warren: Well I think it’s only logical to remove it from curriculum altogether.

Sasha: My mom let me drive her car last night!

Me: Sasha, that’s awesome!

Sasha: Except I drove it into a tree so now I can’t drive it again for awhile.

Nina: My brother is such an idiot. When I was in grade four I was so much cooler.

Ryan: I guarantee you you weren’t.

Paula: How’s your girlfriend doing?

Mark: She’s not my girlfriend, we just hang out a lot and we don’t date other people.

Paula: I don’t know what you think the term “girlfriend” means, but that’s basically it.

Mike: I think all I really want to do with my life is cut down a really big tree. And then sell it for a few million dollars.

Me: Good luck with that. It sounds both plausible and lucrative.

I have been asked numerous times to begin providing recources for fellow teachers. I have decided to start, but it’s a very slow process, so please be patient with me.

I’ve added a page to the blog (have a looksie up at the top along with the FAQ, About, etc. pages and you’ll see a new Resources page). It is not very extensive. At all. But I’m hoping that it will be eventually.

I’ll continue to slowly add links to may favourite resources, which will be available at Teachers Pay Teachers (My new favourite site! Seriously, fellow teachers, if you have not yet discovered, prepare to spend hours upon hours exploring).

I borrowed The Land of Decoration from my mom after she read it and enjoyed it. She compared it to Room, which I absolutely adored, so I was both intrigued and excited to read it. In fact, on the sleeve of the novel, Emma Donoghue, who wrote Room, said about The Land of Decoration “This extraordinary tale of one little girl’s End Times grabbed me by the throat. ‘The Land of Decoration’ is part social observation and part crazy mysticism, held together by a brutally real story of parent-child love.” I was convinced.

I loved the novel. The writing was wonderful, which is something I’m always very particular about, and the story itself is exceedingly creative and enthralling. I loved it and would highly recommend it.

(#57) Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

I decided to read Cat’s Cradle because I have never read it before and because I really enjoy Vonnegut’s writing. Of course when teaching satire and irony, Vonnegut is the absolute go-to. I loved Cat’s Cradle. Absolutely loved. I would still choose to teach Slaughterhouse-Five over it,primarily because of name recognition (to get students a bit more pumped up) as well as resources available.

(#58) Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski

I had never read anything by Bukowski before, but I wanted to. Primarily because of the song Bukowski by Modest Mouse, which is one of my very favourites:

I didn’t know exactly what to expect from Ham on Rye, and was overwhelmed and intrigued by the dark elements of the novel (child abuse, bullying, alcohol abuse), particularly since the novel is semi-autobiographical. The novel is phenomenal. I absolutely adored it and I can tell it is going to stick with me for awhile. I will definitely be reading more of Bukowski.

(#59) Paradise Lost by John Milton

I, of course, read Paradise Lost when studying English Literature throughout university, but never in its entirety. Or so I thought.

As it turns out, in basically all of my classes, we read portions of said epic poem, which all amounted to its entirety. So I had, unbeknownst to me, in fact read all of Paradise Lost, it just happened to be out of context.

There’s not much to say about it other than that, if you are interested in classic English Literature at all, you basically won’t get anywhere without reading Paradise Lost.

(#60) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower in high school and wasn’t a huge fan because I was a dork and the drug use unsettled me. Seriously, I’m not lying.

I decided to reread it on account of the film based on it.

I did like it better on second reading, though I still found it a bit overrated. I wouldn’t tell anyone not to read it, of course, but I was basically indifferent to it.

All names changed.

Me: Trent, where are you supposed to be?

Trent: Social, but I came to hang out with you.

Me: No, I’m on prep, get to class.

Trent: No! Let’s hang out, I’m really good at gossiping! “Girl, he’s not treating you right!”

Me: Go. To. Class.

(while watching a particularly gross scene in an anti-drug film)

Kelly: Miss X, are you okay?

Me: I’m fine.

Kelly: It really looks like your worried your arm might also explode.

Me: Let’s not talk about it.

Fiona: Can we watch a movie?

Me: No, we’re doing history.

Fiona: How about Hairspray? It’s got lots of history in it!

Harold: Please don’t call my mom! I’ll clean your shoes!

I read The Paris Wife because I bought it for my Mom for Mother’s Day after an employee at Chapters compared it to Loving Frank, which she had recommended to me (spoiler alert: I read it next).

I liked it because I enjoyed discovering more about Ernest Hemingway, but it wasn’t overly spectacular. I would recommend it to others, but not as one of my favourites.

(#52) Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

I loved Loving Frank. The voice Horan creates for Mamah is phenomenal. Full of depth, she is tortured and trapped and readers are completely convinced of the novel’s authenticity.

I wouldn’t teach the novel, but would keep it in the classroom as an option for high school students, most definitely.

(#53) Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

Heheh, I’m such a cheater. Sometimes I really need a short book though, and this one definitely made my day.

(#54) Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

I decided that I wanted to read the Game of Thrones books before jumping on the television show’s impressive bandwagon. Unfortunately, I find reading fantasy to be a complete chore.

My brother lent me the books around Christmastime because, even though he is an “I -hate-reading” type of engineer, for some reason he believed that he could read and enjoy this particular set of books. Spoiler alert: he didn’t even attempt to. He just bought them and immediately lent them to me in what I like to call a frivolous show of how much more money engineers make than teachers. I could never buy a book and not read it! That’s $20 dude!

Anyway, I read the first one because I can’t begin reading a book and not finish it, even if I hate it. And I did. The writing-style is just not something I like at all. To each their own, I suppose.

(#55) Little Women by May Louisa Alcott

I read Little Women years and years and years ago. Obviously, I didn’t remember much about it. Thus, I felt it time to reread it (and then have an excuse to watch the film!).

I remember not being overly impressed by the novel, which is clearly a testament to how young I was at the time because now I absolutely adored it.

Highly, highly, highly recommended, both in and outside the classroom.

I typically give my very best ideas away to my students, and usually this makes me happy. They gratefully consume my ideas all year long, digest them, rework them, and pour out the results (which are fabulous!) but now it’s summer and I’m ready to blow up my raft and go float in the pool. I’ve just completed my eleventh year as a full-time middle and high school art teacher at a college preparatory school in the Dallas metroplex. Over the last few weeks, I’ve immersed myself into throngs of contemporary art fairs for the reason of finding inspiring ideas, not only to try for myself, but to tweak into becoming classroom projects. This is primarily how I develop my art curriculum. I go out and experience art in the world around me.

One of the most wonderful, healing things about teaching is that, at the beginning of each year, you get to start a clean slate. It’s brand new. Each new school year is about creating and giving away your best ideas for a specific amount of time. At the end of a year, it’s over and you put the slate away. If there are projects that didn’t turn out so well, you never have to do them again. Years ago, I remember singing at the top of my lungs, Alice Cooper’s, School’s Out, at the end of May:

No more pencils,

No more books,

No more teacher’s dirty looks.

Admittedly, I’ve probably given my share of dirty looks this year (I assure you I’ve also given truckloads of smiles and hugs too) but now, it’s time to rest. I get to start over with a clean slate full of new possibilities next August. It is a wonderfully refreshing concept. Each day we wake up we should be grateful because, like teaching, we get to start over. We get the opportunity to turn over a new leaf. To listen more. To love more. To forgive more. We can take a walk down a new path and try new approaches to life. Each day we wake up we are given the possibility to be more courageous and more mindful of the earth and others.

I’ve always hoped to make a difference in someone’s life; this adds purpose to my life. I want to have an impact on others to show them their potential and express how much they matter. Teaching allows me to do that. If I can see evidence that I’ve influenced even one child to dream and reach for the stars, I feel that the year has been successful. This year there are many students I feel that way about and I feel grateful and blessed. Still, I am ready to float on my raft.

This summer, when I get off the raft, I will be working on several ebooks for publication. One will be about art careers and one will be about integrating global history and culture into art curriculum. I want to inspire students, artists, art educators, parents, homeschool teachers, administrators and even school districts. Sadly, from my experience I’ve learned that much of the public, including students and parents, do not know about the importance of an art education in the 21^st century. In general people don’t understand how lucrative and satisfying a career in the arts can be.

Two years ago, I was invited to become a member of the Nasher Sculpture Center’s Teacher Advisory Board. I gratefully accepted the position and have been honored to share this board membership with a few other teachers who strive to inspire. We have assisted the Nasher Education Department in many ways including the expansion of new activities and workshops for the public, as well as curriculum development and printed material. Through the continued dialogue at our monthly meetings I have expressed the need specifically for art career education. Together we have researched this and I have presented the collected material to administrators, faculty and parents. After learning more through my presentation, everyone is excited and hopeful about college and career prospects for students of all ages. I want to make this research available to more people who can use it and create possibilities for their own lives or the lives of others.

As this school year comes to a close, I want to share an excellent video produced by the Exxon Mobile Corporation. As you watch it, I hope teachers you learned from will come to mind. I want to encourage you to write them an email. Search for them on facebook. Actually go buy a stamp and send them a card. Tell them how important they have been to you. I promise; it will make their day.

(Thank you Mrs. Majors, Mrs. Cuniff, Gloria Ball, Mrs. Simpson, Judith d’Agostino, Dr. Dianne Strickland, Jackie Snyders, Cynthia Bylander, Jeff Johnston, Dr. David Quick, Tanya Synar and all my fellow colleagues. You all poured into me and I really appreciate it and love you for it.)

A Long Way Gone was recommended to me by a student a couple of years ago during my practicum. I trusted his opinion, but still hadn’t gotten around to reading the novel. Until now.

The novel is shocking, heartbreaking, and wonderful.

If you are thinking af teaching a work of non-fiction I would highly recommend considering A Long Way Gone. It’s probably a bit too dark for students younger than high school, but perfect for about grade 11.

(#47) Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I absolutely adore dystopian literature, so it was not suprising that I loved Farenheit 451.

Having majored in English and Sociology, then going on to become an educator (and also simply by being human), I highly value communication, freedom of speech, intellectualism, and the value of thought. Bradbury gives us a world in which these are destroyed and questioned and I was completely and utterly enthralled.

I one hundred percent recommend this novel. Whether it’s simply to keep it in the classroom, to recommend it to students, or to teach it. It is necessary reading.

(#48) The Call of The Wild by Jack London

I have to admit that I was not hugely impressed by The Call of the Wild. It just wasn’t to my own personal taste.

However, I can certainly see many students enjoying it. I could enver teach it because I really don’t think it translates well when teachers are not passionate about their subject matter, but I would certainly keep it in the classroom for students who may enjoy it.

(#49) V for Vendetta by Alan Moore

I have never seen the film adaptation of V for Vendetta because I like to read the text versions first. Well, now I am allowing myself to see said film (finally).

Being from Moore, I knew the graphic novel would be excellent, and it was. Full of depth, intricate plot lines, and exceedingly real characters.

The novel had me thinking about important life philosophies as well as trying to figure out who V was; greatly multi-faceted and absolutely wonderful.

I would consider pulling excerpts of the novel or film out in aiding with another text, but not actually teaching the novel as a core text in the classroom.

(#50) All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum

I read All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten because I found it in the “library” of a fellow teacher. I had heard of it before and decided that the title was just so adorable and catchy that I simply had to borrow and read the book.

I loved it. Simple and basic life philosophy and absolutely wonderful and captivating writing style. I highly, highly recommend it. I will certainly be looking out for more by Fulghum myself.

All names changed.

Wally: I couldn’t get SparkNotes to work on my phone on the way to school, so can I write the test tomorrow?

Gretchen: I can’t participate in gym today.

Me: Why?

Gretchen: I’m wearing high heels.

Me: Then you can either run in heels or run barefoot and spend those five laps thinking about how you’ll never come to class unprepared again.

Rob: Seriously, Miss X, you’re my very favourite teacher. You don’t even understand!

Me: Hahah! Well, thank-you, Rob.

Rob: No, seriously, if it was legal I would marry you.

Me: Super inappropriate.

Jesus: I don’t really understand you, Miss X.

Me: What do you mean?

Jesus: You’re like… a teacher. But… also like… a person too.

Me: Yes, teachers are people.

I first decided to read Anna Karenina when I watched an episode of Home Imporvement in which Jill’s book club read it and Tim, who hadn’t read the book, decided to join in (spoiler alert: hilarity ensued). That was aproximately 12 years ago, give or take.

I finally decided to stop procrastinating and living in fear of its exceedingly thick spine and take the plunge. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it a lot. No, I’d venture to say that I loved it. Absolutely adored it.

Because of its exceeding lack of brevity, I would not be the cruel teacher to force my high school students into reading it. I would most certainly, however, keep in the classroom for personal reading.

(#42) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Another by Tolstoy, I read War and Peace because it is a classic. Also because it was free to download on my Kobo. What can I say, I’m a poor teacher, that’s just how we roll.

I loved War and peace. I liked it even more than Anna Karenina which, after reading Karenina, I did not think was possible. I thoroughly and highly recommend it.

(#43) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

I’ve always liked Mark Twain but never been a massive fan. That being said, Huckleberry Finn is an excellent adventure story and absolutely wonderful as a piece of American history.

Because of the fact that it’s an adventure story that (most) students will enjoy, it is a wonderfully written novel, and it includes extremely important pieces of American history, the novel is an excellent one to bring in to the classroom to teach

(#44) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Yay! Another Twain!

I first heard of Tom Sawyer when I was young and naive and absolutely convinced that I would one day grow up to marry Jonathan Taylor Thomas (as most young and naive girls my age did).

I saw the film that starred my future husband and said to myself, “that was marvelous, no need to read the book, JTT isn’t in it!” And so that was that.

Now, years have passed and I became a grown woman not married to Jonathan Taylor Thomas and who had never read Tom Sawyer. I decided to change that.

It’s an easy and fun read and I would recommend it for students in the grade 9 level.

(#45) The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The Art of War was familiar to me simply because of its name. I had never met anyone who spoke at great length about it or had even read it as required reading for a class. As such, I had absolutely no idea what it was about or what to expect from it.

I wasn’t a huge fan, primarily because (despite just saying I had no expectations) I expected it to be a novel rather than, literally what the title suggets, a guide to the art of war.

It is certainly full of excellent advice and tactics, but not planning on entering war or gaining enemies, I found very few applicable to me. Certainly they would be useful in some everyday circumstances such as sports or business leadership, but I just felt myself feeling somewhat evil in reading it, as though I was planning on making someone else miserable.

I mean, should I even go on? This is pitiful on so many levels. I do plan to watch the remake of ‘The Three Stooges’, just because I can appreciate the Farrelly Brothers’ sense of respect for the trio. I didn’t watch ‘Footloose’ (which felt like blasphemy). This, however, goes way too far. If they need decent writers, I would be happy to help them out with a screenplay. In fact, I have a project in mind, that might sell without turning a historical figure into Buffy (Kristy Swanson or Sarah Michelle Gellar; take your pick; they both sucked), for God’s sake.

I might as well start at the beginning. I went to see ‘The Dicatator’ tonight (Sacha Baron Cohen is our Peter Sellers; he is the funniest man alive). Mixed in with the regular previews for movies that make a tiny bit of sense, was this visually stunning preview for a movie with Abraham Lincoln. I thought it was going to be about John Wilkes Boothe, or the Civil War, so I thought I might watch it. Then, the title flashed…

I hope they sick him on Twilight, so we can kill two horrible ideas with one top-grossing stone.

One hundred thirty eight years ago, in 1874, a group of artists gathered in Paris to show their artwork to the public inside a former photographer’s studio. Many of these artists had been rejected by the Salon, the royally sanctioned French institution that determined if artwork was acceptable, satisfactory and superior. The influence of the Salon was absolutely undisputed, and for an artist to exhibit in their space meant their artwork was excellent. The artist was almost fully guaranteed to be successful. After being rejected from showing their work at the Salon, several artists set up their own exhibition and the public ridicule commenced. Not only were their paintings thought of as crudely rendered, they had disregarded the element of line and changed the color of objects and landscapes from the appearance of reality! (Can you imagine!!) According to the historical critique, The Exhibition of the Revoltes, written by Emile Cardon for La Presse, the artists’ “scribblings” both sickened and disgusted. One can imagine how horrible these paintings must have looked to have received such a disparaging description. How embarrassing, right? Didn’t these artists know how horrible their work was? Why on earth would they go to such measures to invite criticism? Often, contemporary art is described in this way. You may be surprised to learn that these rebellious, seemingly untalented artists, who refused to accept the jurors’ assessment, are none other than some of the 21^st century’s most beloved artists:  Monet, Degas, Cezanne and Renoir.

Throughout history, it is not uncommon for the public to disregard the cutting edge artwork being produced and exhibited in the current culture. We’ve all known incidences in which people say, when walking through a gallery or museum, “My kindergartner could have done that.”

But the fact is . . . they didn’t.

In The History of Impressionism, author, John Rewald says, “It requires tremendous courage and limitless faith to overcome such adversities…” He goes on to say, “How hard it must be for the timid, and even for the self-confident and ambitious, for the poor, and even for the rich, to stand up under constant derision without being paralyzed in their creative efforts!”

Over the past month, I’ve attended three contemporary art fairs. The first one was the Dallas Art Fair, where I live, and the other two were in New York: Pulse and Frieze, which are both international in scope. Granted, some of what I saw bewildered even me, a professional, contemporary artist who has been making and exhibiting art for 30 years. Yet, I was truly inspired by most pieces I saw. As a working artist, I know the dedication and courage it takes to both produce the work and then to put it on public display. My skin has become thick enough that negative commentary about my work bounces off, for the most part.

The courage that is necessary to produce and exhibit a piece of artwork is not dissimilar to the courage needed to break out of the routine life many of us find ourselves in. When people become brave enough to mold their lives in an unconventional way, whether through travel or career, many people are quick to condemn. Life is short. Do what your heart is leading you to do. Be brave. Do it. There may be many who condemn, but surprisingly, you are sure to find a community that will support you. And once you become brave enough to start forming words to verbally express what you are considering, you will begin to hear the applause from your fans and well-wishers.

Build it and they will come.

In this excellent episode on 60 Minutes, Morley Safer describes the current, contemporary art scene, as it relates to international art fairs and the global economy.  It is well worth your time to watch.

It is encouraging to hear that when our world economy suffers, contemporary art is thriving. Please watch and tell me how you’ve been brave!

All names changed.

Me: Okay, so we know that she story was likely written in the nineties because of the inclusion of a VCR.

Harriett: Wait… what’s a VCR?

Me: I have never felt so old in my life.

Me: What is Shakespeare trying to tell us in these lines?

Victor: That he hates us.

Rolf: I’ve decided to change my name.

Me: Really? To what?

Rolf: Justin Bieber.

Me: Okay JBieb, that’s what I’m going to call you from now on. You can’t undo this.

Sofia: How about instead of work today we just play basketball?

Time for some major, mega, mass posting!

(#36) The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle

I read Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park in ninth grade on account of my love for the film, but I ended up absolutely hating it. For that reason, I’ve always had a bit of an aversion to reading other “dinosaur literature”. (Is that I thing? I’ve just made it one.)

That being said, I enjoyed The Lost World far more than I expected to.

The writing was more accessbible than modern knockoffs *cough* Jurassic *cough, cough* and extremely witty. I still don’t consider it one of my absolute favourites, but I did enjoy it.

(#37) Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

I’m a little ashamed to admit that I didn’t know that My Fair Lady was based on Pygmalion until I began reading it. I feel so uneducated. Anyway, it was phenomenal. I loved it. Full of charm and insane amounts of wit.

Loved it.

(#38)  Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens

It’s pretty clear now how much I really adore Dickens.

That being said, is there much to say about Nicholas Nickleby? I loved Dickens’ writing style, as I always do. The story itself wasn’t as great as Expectations or Oliver Twist, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

Definitely worth having in a high school classroom.

(#39) Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

I had no idea what Madame Bovary was about, I simply recognized the name when I downloaded it onto my Kobo.

The novel is stunning. Hugely deep, intricate, and realistic. The characterization is amazingly well done. I wouldn’t recommend it to too many students, but I absolutely adored it.

(#40) Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche

What can I say about Nietzsche?

I’ve wanted “Amor Fati” tattooed on me since first year university.

Absolutely phenomenal.

Great for university students, but I would avoid it in high school.

Reminiscing about David Byrne and the Talking Heads brings back a torrential downpour of pleasant memories. These musical-memories connect significantly to a transition time in my life: graduating from college, getting married and moving out of state. In the mid-1980’s, my then-husband and I moved from Missouri to Texas to begin a new life. Recently graduated from college, we were psyched to land our first jobs and start down our career path, which for me meant beginning the climb up the corporate ladder. My imaginative dreams were centered on my new marriage, my new job, buying our first new car, buying our first home and eventually becoming parents. My mind couldn’t fully wrap around all these new, upcoming changes, but I was excited and hopeful about my future.

None of these dreams turned out exactly the way I thought they would. I could have never predicted the end results of my hopes and expectations. More than once I awoke, seemingly from a deep sleep, and thought, as Bryne’s lyrics read, “My God! What have I done?” There’s no way that we can fully predict what our lives will be, even with all the research we do and all the well wishes and prayers from friends and family. But life is wonderfully mysterious and I wouldn’t trade in any of my experiences, both the good ones and the bad ones, for they’ve brought me to where I am today. Life is full of transitions and I find that I am still excited and hopeful about my future as I seriously consider moving overseas.

And You May Find Yourself Living In A Shotgun Shack

And You May Find Yourself In Another Part Of The World

And You May Find Yourself Behind The Wheel Of A Large Automobile

And You May Find Yourself In A Beautiful House, With A Beautiful Wife

And You May Ask Yourself-Well…How Did I Get Here?

This rendition of The Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime”, is recorded by Robert Luis:

When I went to Europe for the first time in 2006 I remember thinking, “I belong here. This feels like home. Surely I was born here and my parents adopted me into the USA and just have never told me!” How did I get here (USA)? “This is not my beautiful house,” as the song goes. But my mother assures me that I wasn’t adopted and that I am truly American! I often feel like a foreigner in my own country. I long to live a slower, more observant, less cluttered lifestyle. Every minute of every day is a “once in a lifetime” possibility. The next time I ask myself, “My God! What have I done?” I want to honestly and peacefully answer the question in a way that shows love, bravery, courage and trust.

Part 3 of 3: SA (Search Associates)

This article concludes with my research about the international educational recruitment company, Search Associates (SA). In my previous two posts I explained what I have found out about UNI (University of Northern Iowa) and ISS (International Schools Services).  SA has been in existence for more than 21 years. Not only have they helped teachers find positions in international schools around the world, they also place administrators and interns. Their current website boasts that in 2011 they set a record by helping 2,198 candidates secure positions abroad.

SA works with more than 600 schools, compared to ISS who works with about 150 schools. SA feels confident they are the best educational recruitment company because of the personal attention they give to both candidates and schools. For instance, once I completed my online application and SA had received recommendations from my administrators, my file was considered “active” and I was assigned a Senior Associate who will personally assist me throughout the entire search process. I was given her email and phone number so that I can reach her at all times. Additionally, because my file is active, I receive a daily log of SA represented schools that are currently seeking teachers and administrators. Since my file became active in March 2012, I’ve been tracking how many art positions have been posted. I’m delighted to report that there have been 23 art teaching positions listed to date, and this is really late in the hiring season! Keep in mind that most positions for the 2012-13 school year have already been placed.

Although my file is considered active, my online profile will not be made known to seeking schools until I pay my membership dues. Once I pay $200, I will have access to SA for three years and interested schools can review my credentials. I will have access to job openings, salaries and benefits and I will be able to contact schools directly through the database upon notification of an opening in one of my listed preferences. Interested schools will be able to email me directly, set up interviews or ask for additional information. The first SA educational recruitment fair is free and each additional fair is $50, although all job fairs are by invitation only. Both candidates and schools that are fully registered may request invitations. In comparison, ISS charges $290 for all fairs in a season. Search Associates offers 13 annual job fairs worldwide between November and June. These fairs allow candidates and schools to have face-to-face interviews to determine if there is a mutual interest and a good “fit” between the school and candidate. In addition, Search Associates keeps their fairs small in order to provide maximum support for candidates and schools.

There are many more educational recruitment companies, but I’ve limited my search to these three: UNI, ISS and SA. In my last post I described the wonderful resource, International Schools Review (ISR) which allows open dialogue, through a forum, on a host of subjects centered around teaching internationally. On this website you will find many opinions about the differences of these companies. Some people prefer one company over another for a host of reasons. Many international educators never attend a fair at all. After paying their application fee, they contact the seeking schools directly and are accustomed to interviewing over Skype.

In the ISR article called, “How Do International Educators See Their Careers?” Bill says, “I left as soon as I got my BEd and never looked back. Best decision I could have ever made. I was looking to explore the world, learn about new cultures and languages, work in schools that value teachers and provide a stimulating work environment. Next year, will be my 4th international school and my 12th year overseas. Sometimes I think about going back for a couple of years but I really do enjoy this life too much to do so.”

Is teaching internationally a once in a lifetime opportunity? I think it may be. I’d be interested in what once in a lifetime opportunities you’ve been given.

Thanks for reading!

All names changed.

Kevin: Everyone knows LMFAO is the best band to ever exist EVER!

Me: Oh, Kevin. *head shake*

Leslie: Tina Fey is like the single woman goddess we should all strive to be.

Miranda: You do know she’s married with kids in real life, right.

Leslie: You just turned my world upside down.

Jane: Miss X, I think you’re too pretty to be a teacher.

Me: What do you think teachers should look like?

Jane: Sort of like a mix of trolls who live under bridges and grandmothers.

Me: Wow, aiming really low there.

Gerry: I want to be the most muscular 13 year old of all time.

From my point of view, the title of this 1975 Paul Simon song could also be 50 Ways to Leave Your Home, Your Family, Your Country, Your Job or Life As You Know It.

As my mentor to all-things-adventure, Chris Guillebeau said in his recent post titled, How To Go Everywhere, “We often feel paralyzed by choice and make no choice. But the thing is, no choice is a choice. If you’re not doing something about it, you’re doing something about it. So if you too want to travel and you’re trying to make a choice, just choose. If you want to go somewhere, what’s stopping you? That’s right, nothing.”

You just slip out the back, Jack

Make a new plan, Stan

You don’t need to be coy, Roy

Just get yourself free

Hop on the bus, Gus

You don’t need to discuss much

Just drop off the key, Lee

And get yourself free

This rendition is by Matteo Grondini.

I can remember the first time I heard Paul Simon’s voice. It was at my 3^rd grade friend’s house in Merriam, Kansas. Kathy had 3 older siblings, one of whom was in college and his hair was just like Art Garfunkle’s. Not only was he handsome, but he drove a VW bug! From that day forward I paid attention to Simon and Garfunkle. Simon’s lyrics have come to mind many times over my lifetime as either my friends or I were wrestling with how to get out of a bad relationship. One can easily apply Simon’s lyrical advise to all kinds of other situations as well. Continuing from last week’s post, which refers to The Clash’s song, Should I Stay or Should I Go?, this week I will present an option on how to go and get yourself free.

Just go.

So how does one go about getting themselves free? I have been thinking about moving overseas for about five years. For starters, I’ll need to either sell or rent out my home that I still owe a mortgage on. From the expert advise of others who have moved overseas, I’m still left in a query; some say it’s great to have a place to move back to in the USA, others say, “Sell!” and be released of the burden of worry. Furthermore, I’ll need to sell my car and rid myself of accumulated material possessions. As an artist, I have artwork, books galore and art supplies that will have to be reckoned with. This is a daunting task as it has taken me my adult lifetime to accumulate these items. Do I get a storage unit (climate controlled I’m told…) or do I choose a POD? These answers will come to me over time I feel certain, but ultimately, I’ll just have to choose.

Part 2 of 3: ISS (International Schools Services)

Since 1955, International Schools Services (ISS) has been dedicated to providing international students access to a premier Western education. It is difficult for ISS to give me data regarding how many art positions are available each year because, unlike UNI, they have continual, year-round recruitment fairs at various locations around the world. Currently, ISS has five recruitment conferences scheduled in 2012-13 to include Philadelphia; Nice, France; Atlanta; Bangkok and San Francisco. There will be more posted as dates are confirmed.

In 2010, a variety of schools, in countries such as China, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland, UAE and Vietnam, needed art teachers but each year the represented schools and countries are varied. There is no way to predict how many schools from how many countries will need art teachers each year. When I recently inquired there were 11 positions most recently available.

ISS also manages and/or owns 16 schools. Not only does ISS staff their own schools but they assist other schools in staffing theirs as well. An ISS representative told me that their recruitment fairs are somewhat selfish, as they try to get the best candidates for their own schools. ISS is deeply rooted in the international education community and there are many educators that have been placed by ISS.

A fee of $185 is required to participate in two recruiting seasons (Sept-Aug). It is strongly recommended for interested educators not to establish membership until they are ready to pursue an international teaching position.

When I asked ISS why their recruiting fair is “the best”, I was given this response:

“The dynamics of a recruiting conference have always included the anticipation of discovering the opportunities present and meeting those who can best describe their schools, their communities, and the positions available. The IRC [International Recruiting Conference] presents a tremendous learning experience and orientation to the overseas recruitment process, where one can learn from those currently working overseas and speak with the heads of international schools from all over the world. School administrators offer video and slide presentations so that candidates may picture the communities they may choose to join. These sessions also offer the opportunity for Q&A during small group settings. [Additionally,] International school heads participate on regional panels to discuss the realities of life and work in each of the five major continental areas. Candidates are encouraged to attend these sessions. In the candidate lounge, computer assistance is provided – with a bank of computers allowing email access. A copier is also provided. Regional guides and other print resources are provided for review, as well as brochures supplied by the schools in attendance.”

After applying, being approved and paying the registration fee, the best way to determine which ISS fair is best for you to attend is to see which schools registered for the fairs and which ones have positions that suit you. Most candidates attend the fair that is closest to their hometown.

An invaluable piece of advise was recently offered to me by a new friend who currently teaches art overseas. She suggested I join the organization International Schools Review (ISR).

This $29/year website membership is maintained by teachers, of all subjects, from all countries, who currently teach around the world. This amazing website boasts having over 5,000 reviews of international schools written by international teachers available to its members. This means if you decide to work with ISS, for example, and you “see” a teacher listing, let’s say, in Berlin, Germany, you can look up this school on International Schools Review and read many different teachers’ opinions about the school, the administration and the community. Additionally a Forum exists, where teacher-members can read about a variety of subjects. Members can also start new conversations, asking specific questions to these seasoned teachers.

A featured question in April 2012 was this:

Teachers teaching all over the world, with a plethora of experiences answered. Three of the responses were:

Anonymous said:

“I’ve basically done my career already in NZ, so at age 50 decided to ‘retire’ and enjoy my love of traveling combined with teaching. It was a good idea! Highly recommend it.”

Loving Life said:

“My son completed first grade at home and has lived in five different countries, learned parts of five languages with 8 years of Chinese. He won the EARCOS Global Citizenship award last year, along with a $500 grant for a project he is involved with in an orphanage in Cambodia. He will graduate in a month with the IB diploma. I could never have done this as a single parent in the States. Moving overseas was the best decision I made. I hear my sister talk about teaching in the States and I feel so fortunate, even when things get difficult overseas. It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.”

One day at a time says:

“Teaching overseas and being part of the world has been very rewarding and eye opening. My own children have truly been brought up as world citizens and have learned much more than they would have from textbooks. Their lives aren’t about being proud Americans but about being proud world citizens.”

So there you have it. Already it’s a hard decision between UNI and ISS and next week I’ll be reviewing Search Associates. Do I pay all three application fees? Do I go to UNI and chance the weather? Do I go to a recruitment fair or just take my chance interviewing with Skype? Lots of decisions and when it’s time, I’ll just choose.

Do you have any experience working in a foreign country?

Thanks for reading.

You could describe quiet times as being quality time spent with God. This could be praying on the bus, hiking in the bush, or even writing worship songs just to name a few.

Quiet times are necessary in your relationship with God, to be able to know God on an intimate level and therefore be able to worship the Lord in truth (John 4:23). Many of the people within the bible knew God on a completely different level, one of which was David. Look through Psalms and you’ll see the products of David’s meditation on God’s word and time spent with Him, with Psalm 18 and 27 being prime examples of this.

“God does not bless us because we spend time in His Word, but he often blesses us through that time spent with Him and His Word”

- Elder at my church

As a result of our meeting, we’ve decided to commit to 27 consecutive days of quiet times and hopefully from reading this, you’ll commit to it too!

I am absolutely sucking at updating! I am so sorry, it’s really hard to keep reading and updating while also maintaining my job, health, and social life. Balls.

I’m cheating and posting a whole bunch of books at once now. I’m sorry, please forgive me.

(#32) East of Eden by John Steinbeck

I completely lovedEast of Eden. It’s not surprising considering how much I adore Steinbeck’s writing.

It’s an absolute classic which I recommend everyone read.

I’d recommend certainly ahving it in the classroom, though it’s a bit long to teach in high school. No one wants students to resent how much reading they have to do, even if it’s an excellent book.

(#33) Finding Forrester by James W. Ellison

Finding Forrester was a quick and easy read. I liked it fine, though didn’t find it phenomenal.

I would recommend it for a lower level high school English class (maybe one with a lot of ESL students), particularly in a school with really diverse students as they will all probably have a character that they can relate to.

(#34) Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte

I was supposed to read this play for a class in university. I ended up buying all my books, switching classes, and keeping the books (without reading them until now, apparently).

It was a really beautiful play and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I always find reading plays to be much faster than reading novels, so it was a nice little blurp during my challenge and I definitely needed it!

(#35) Little Stalker by Jennifer Belle

I bought this novel from a $2 bin at the WordFest table during the Kensington Sun and Salsa festival this year but didn’t ahve time to read it until now.

I absolutley adored it.

Belle writes with a quirky hilarity that grabbed me right away. The story is hilarious and wonderful and, like the Woody Allen charater Belle has created, it certainly channels Allen’s sense of humour.

All names changed.

Mikayla: Miss X, are you a real teacher?

Me: As opposed to a fake teacher?

Mikayla: No I mean like, rather than a student…

Me: Mikayla, I wouldn’t be allowed to stand up here and teach you everyday if I wasn’t a teacher.

Mikayla: But you’re just so young…

Me: I forgive you for calling me a fake teacher.

Taylor: Miss X, Craig just called me stupid!

Craig: No I didn’t! Taylor called me dumb!

Fredrick: I know how to solve this problem! Eenie meenie miny mo…

Me: Boys, you’re supposed to be writing your speeches, not watching videos on YouTube.

Lucas: I’m writing a speech on how awesome music videos and soccer clips are!

Me: Close the window.

Gretchen: I wrote a song about you.

Me: About me?

Gretchen: Yes! It’s called “Miss X is the best teacher in the world and hates giving us tests and homework”.

Me: Nice try.

(#31) The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Yes, I will admit, I had never read The Lord of the Flies. It’s downright embarassing.

Yet, I no longer have to hold my head down in shame at my ignorance of this classic.

I already knew the story as well as most of the teaching point of Lord of the Flies, simply because I completed a four year English Literature degree as well as a two year Secondary Education degree, and my fellow classmates were all (apparently) better educated than me and discussed classics in much detail.

Thus, nothing about the novel surprised me and, just as I thought I would, I enjoyed the book immensely.

Golding creates a scenerio in which realistic and captivating human nature (particularly male human nature) is exposed and focused on. The result is an exceeding number of points in which to spark classroom discussion and debate.

Obviously, I most certainly would teach The Lord of the Flies and I inevitably will one day. It’s almost shocking that I haven’t yet done so.

A must read for everyone, even if you (like me) are ten years late.

Thank you so much for reading with me, and I apologize for my laziness in keeping up-to-date!

Up next: East of Eden