I’m 51 years old and I’m an art teacher among many other things in life. I do love what I do I only wish I had more time in a day, week and year to do it more. I feel like I’m at my limit of giving my time. Any more given and there will be no time for my sweet family and friends or myself. That is so hard for me to admit because I’m a do it all kinda gal. My bestie Karen is always reeling me back in because I over load my life. Thank goodness she is there to watch over me or I’m not sure what would happen. I’m sure a big mess that I would feel obligated to clean and organize. See my brain never stops thinking about what there is to do.
Not only have I met and made friends over the years I’ve learned so much about myself, my teaching skills and when to open my mouth and when to keep it shut. Trust me that last one is the hardest of them all. I can be a bit mouthe, I know that is a shock to you all. I believe in the arts, all of them. I think the creative arts are so important to kids now more than ever. With so much social media and not much outside time away from it, kids just aren’t creative much. Schools are doing there best to work in the arts with choir, fine arts and a few of the others. Lets face it when budget cuts happen the arts are the first to go. Sadly some parents don’t have the funds to go outside of school so kids are left without.
A few years back I went to the Kindergarten teacher at my school and ask her if I could come into her class a couple of times a month. She seemed so excited and I was grateful for the chance to spend time doing art with these babies. A few years down the road and we now have 2 kindergarten classes and we are all still doing art. Funny thing is I never got permission from the staff or board but at this point I don’t think they mind. It’s a program that is working and the kids and parents love it.
That kindergarten teacher, well she has taught me so much about teaching the littles. I have watched her over the years and I though I knew it all about teaching but she proved me wrong. She has a no-nonsense style of teaching and it works I’ve seen it first hand. She is the kindest, loving and passionate teacher to these kids. When we started the program I would come to their room. Art has it own un-shared space now so they come to the art studio on campus. The kids love it and feel like it’s a mini field trip on the art days. I have always felt welcome to teach her class and I have always felt her willingness to share her students with me.
If you meet Stephanie she is a fiery red-head that is tall and beautiful. Most mornings you see a few red heads following her from the parking lot. That would be her crew of kiddo’s. I was so excited that she was interested in a Blue Happy piece for her home. I have been wanting to do something for her and wasn’t sure what to do. She was interested in one of the old wood tool boxes I had. So It’s in my truck on its way to school tomorrow. She thinks she is paying for it but it’s a gift for sharing her class, teaching me a better way to teach and just being my friend.
This wood tool box needed some love and in a bad way. I’m guessing made sometime in the 70’s it had seen better days. At one point I’m pretty sure the bottom rotted out and it was replaced with a piece of plexi glass. This isn’t going to be a problem because she told me she is going to fill it with decorative things on her table. She recently redid an old farm table and this is going to be so perfect down the center. I can’t wait until she sends me pictures of what she puts in it.
The handle is made from an old galvanized pipe. It was very easy to slide in and out. I used old wood checkers on each end to stop that. The outside has a very light coat of Annie Sloan Olive green paint. I sanded down the entire thing to make the paint look even more worn. The inside was left with the raw wood. Inside and out was given a couple of clear coat finishes.
It turned out beautiful and this gift is ready to give. This year she added one more blessing to me she is my grandson’s kindergarten teacher. He loves school and she makes class fun. It’s hump day and you still have more blessed days ahead before the weekend. Have a Blue Happy day.
